MUMBAI -- India's noted Hindustani classical vocalist Pandit C.R. Vyas died in Kolkata after a massive heart attack.

Vyas, 78, had arrived in Kolkata in the eastern Indian state of west Bengal on Wednesday to perform at a concert and breathed last on Thursday. His body was later flown back to Mumbai in western Indian state of Maharastra for cremation today accompanied by his son Satish Vyas, a noted santoor player.

Regarded as a living legend of Hindustani classical music, Pandit Vyas had concretized extensively within the country and abroad.

Among the noted musicians who came to his Mumbai residence to pay their condolences were classical vocalist Kishori Amonkar and santoor player Shivkumar Sharma.