New Delhi: Legendary singer Lata Mangeshkar passed away due to multi-organ failure in Mumbai on Sunday morning.
Lata Mangeshkar, 92, was suffering from lung ailments for nearly two-and-a-half years.
She was widely considered as one of the greatest and most influential singers in India. Her contribution to Indian music industry in a career spanning seven decades has gained her honorific titles such as the Nightingale of India and Queen of Melody. Lata had recorded songs in over thirty-six Indian languages and few foreign languages, though primarily in Hindi and Marathi.
She has received several accolades and honors throughout her career. In 1987 The Dadasaheb Phalke Award was bestowed on her by the Government of India. In 2001, in recognition of her contributions to the nation, she was awarded the Bharat Ratna, India’s highest civilian honour and is only the second vocalist, after M. S. Subbulakshmi, to receive this honour. France conferred on her its highest civilian award, the Officer of the Legion of Honour, in 2007.
Following news of demise, artists and fans started mourning her passing away. President of India, Prime Minister among many senior politicians also condole her death.
“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,”PM Narendra Modi 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,” President Ram Nath Kovind said.