Pandit Jasraj – The First Indian Musician To Have A Minor Planet Named After

Pandit Jasraj is a famous Indian musician who has delivered some of the most famous musical compositions with the capabilities of soothing both mind and soul. And now, he has become the first Indian music to get a minor planet named after him by the International Astronomical Union.

The planet called 2006 VP32 (300128) was discovered for the first time over 10 years ago on November 11, 2006. It was a NASA-funded project called the Catalina Sky Survey, which tracked and discovered near-Earth objects, with the help from Arizona-based Mt Lemmon Survey telescope that the planet was discovered.

The number 300128 is actually the date of birth of the musician, January 28, 1930. After legends like Beethoven, Mozart, and Pavarotti, he is the third maestro to receive the honor of having a planet named after his name.

Minor planets are celestial objects orbiting the Sun. Objects like asteroids, dwarf planets, Trojans, Kuiper belt objects, and centaurs are qualified to be a minor planet.

In a statement, Pandit Jasraj expressed his happiness, saying, “Blessed... in this honour one can experience only god's grace!"

Besides having a minor planet named after him, Pandit Jasraj has also received the second-highest civilian honor, the Padma Vibhushan for his exceptional contribution.

Pandit Jasraj is famous for his compositions in the semi-classical and classical genre, as well as his raga compositions. His album, called “Morning to Midnight” has gained mass popularity.

He has taught music in India, Canada, and the US.

Pandit Jasraj was born in Pili Mandori, Haryana’s Hisar district on January 28, 1930. His wife is Madhura Shantaram (who has worked as a director for various ballets, plays, and documentaries). She is film director V. Shantaram’s daughter. They have two children together, one son and one daughter, Shaarang Dev Pandit, and Durga Jasraj respectively.