Parikrama's founder and lead guitarist Sonam Sherpa passes away at 48

Sonam Sherpa, founder and lead guitarist of the Indian rock band Parikrama on Friday (February 14) passed away in Kurseong at the age of 48.

According to reports, the musician suffered a massive cardiac arrest at the location where he had travelled to record music for an upcoming movie.

Sherpa, who formed the acclaimed band on June 17, 1991 in Delhi along with Subir Malik, has been playing since he was nine and was known for giving score to Parikrama’s main hits including But It Rained, Tears of the Wizard and Am I Dreaming.

“I heard the news a few minutes ago. I am myself in a state of shock and on my way to the deceased’s home in New Delhi to meet his family. Sonam was in Kurseong to record the music for an upcoming movie. I am told he suffered a massive cardiac arrest there. It is not yet clear at this stage where the last rites will be performed,” Subir Malik told EastMojo.

The founder of Parikrama School of Music in New Delhi’s Hauz Khas area, Sherpa also featured in the Rolling Stone’s ‘Top 10 Guitarist of India’ list. He also composed music for several Bollywood movies such as Manjunath and was also a part of CNBC’s Young Turks show which focused on sharing the stories of young entrepreneurs.

The Kalimpong-born guitarist also featured along with his band in a rockumentary during their Download Festival Tour.