Legendary exponent of Hindustani classical music Pandit Bhimsen Joshi was chosen for the Bharat Ratna, the country's highest civilian award.

"The President has been pleased to award the Bharat Ratna to Pandit Bhimsen Joshi", a Rashtrapati Bhavan communique said late Tuesday evening.

 The 86-year-old artist belonging to 'kirna' gharana, had a remarkable career spreading over seven decades.

  He started performing at the age of 19.

 Pandit Joshi has been awarded with several prestigious honours including Padma Vibhusan in 1991, Padma Bhusan in 1985 and Padma Shri in 1972.

 After a long gap of seven years the Government has decided to confer this highest award to a performing artist.

Shehnai maestro Ustad Bismillah Khan was the last one to get Bharat Ratna.