- Friday, April 26, 2024
By: Shubham Ghosh
LEGENDARY Indian singer Lata Mangeshkar on Sunday (6) passed away at a hospital in the western Indian city of Mumbai. She was 92.
The icon was undergoing treatment at Breach Candy Hospital for almost a month after she was diagnosed with Covid-19 and pneumonia. Though she had recovered from Covid, she was put on ventilator support after her condition worsened on Saturday (5). Her last rites will be performed at 6 pm local time on Sunday.
After her death, Dr Pratit Samdani, who was treating the singer, said in a statement that Mangeshkar passed away due to multiple-organ failure.
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“It is with profound grief that we announce the sad demise of #LataMangeshkar at 8:12am. She has died because of multi-organ failure after more than 28 days of hospitalisation post #COVID19,” he informed.
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Indian president Ram Nath Kovind expressed condolences for Mangeshkar’s demise.
In a tweet, he said, “Lata-ji’s demise is heart-breaking for me, as it is for millions the world over. In her vast range of songs, rendering the essence and beauty of India, generations found expression of their inner-most emotions. A Bharat Ratna, Lata-ji’s accomplishments will remain incomparable.”
Lata-ji’s demise is heart-breaking for me, as it is for millions the world over. In her vast range of songs, rendering the essence and beauty of India, generations found expression of their inner-most emotions. A Bharat Ratna, Lata-ji’s accomplishments will remain incomparable. pic.twitter.com/rUNQq1RnAp
— President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) February 6, 2022
In another, he said, “An artist born but once in centuries, Lata-didi was an exceptional human being, full of warmth, as I found whenever I met her. The divine voice has gone quiet forever but her melodies will remain immortal, echoing in eternity. My condolences to her family and admirers everywhere.
Indian prime minister Narendra Modi condoled the veteran singer’s death saying it left a void in the country that cannot be fulfilled.
In a series of tweets, Modi said that the singer had always wanted to see a strong and developed India.
“I am anguished beyond words. The kind and caring Lata Didi has left us. She leaves a void in our nation that cannot be filled. The coming generations will remember her as a stalwart of Indian culture, whose melodious voice had an unparalleled ability to mesmerise people,” he tweeted.
I am anguished beyond words. The kind and caring Lata Didi has left us. She leaves a void in our nation that cannot be filled. The coming generations will remember her as a stalwart of Indian culture, whose melodious voice had an unparalleled ability to mesmerise people. pic.twitter.com/MTQ6TK1mSO
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) February 6, 2022
“Lata Didi’s songs brought out a variety of emotions. She closely witnessed the transitions of the Indian film world for decades. Beyond films, she was always passionate about India’s growth. She always wanted to see a strong and developed India,” he said in another tweet.
Lata Didi’s songs brought out a variety of emotions. She closely witnessed the transitions of the Indian film world for decades. Beyond films, she was always passionate about India’s growth. She always wanted to see a strong and developed India. pic.twitter.com/N0chZbBcX6
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) February 6, 2022
The prime minister also said that his interactions with Mangeshkar will remain unforgettable.
“I consider it my honour that I have always received immense affection from Lata Didi. My interactions with her will remain unforgettable. I grieve with my fellow Indians on the passing away of Lata Didi. Spoke to her family and expressed condolences. Om Shanti,” he said.
I consider it my honour that I have always received immense affection from Lata Didi. My interactions with her will remain unforgettable. I grieve with my fellow Indians on the passing away of Lata Didi. Spoke to her family and expressed condolences. Om Shanti.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) February 6, 2022
Sources in the Indian government said a two-day national mourning will be observed in memory of Mangeshkar. The National Flag will fly at half-mast for two days in the honour of the legendary singer who will also be given a state funeral, it added.
Nitin Gadkari, a central minister of India, condoled Mangeshkar’s death in a tweet, saying, “The country’s pride and music world’s Shirmor Swar Kokila Bharat Ratna Lata Mangeshkar ji’s demise is very sad. My heartfelt tribute to the holy soul. Her passing is an irreparable loss to the country. She was always an inspiration to all the music seekers.”
Mangeshkar was a playback singer and occasional music composer and was popularly called as the “Nightingale of India” for her melodious voice.
Born on September 28, 1929, in Indore in the present-day central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh and originally named Hema Mangeshkar, she began her career in 1942 as a teenager. She then went to sing for more than a thousand Hindi films in over seven decades. She had also sung in more than 36 regional Indian languages and foreign languages. She has sung more than 30,000 songs in her career.
In 2001, in recognition of her contributions to the nation, Mangeshkar was awarded the Bharat Ratna, India’s highest civilian honour and is only the second vocalist, after MS Subbulakshmi, to receive this honour.
She’s also the recipient of three National Film Awards among many other honours she received during the span of her career.
“Aye Mere Vatan Ke Logon”, “Babul Pyare”, “Lag Ja Gale Se Phir” among others are some of her iconic songs.
The legend is survived by four young siblings – Asha Bhosle, Hridayanath Mangeshkar, Usha Mangeshkar and Meena Mangeshkar.
