India is extremely saddened by the demise of legendary singer Lata Mangeshkar, the Nightingale of Indian Cinema. She drew her last breath at the age of 92 due to multiple-organ failure.
Notably, she enthralled music lovers in India and across the globe with her euphonious and sublime voice for many decades. Her voice was recognized by billions of people. She passed away due to multiple-organ failure after more than 28 days of hospitalisation post coronavirus.
The Breach Candy hospital in Mumbai, her doctor Pratit Samdani told reporters today. For the unversed, Lata Mangeshkar was hospitalised on January 11 after experiencing mild symptoms and was tested positive for coronavirus pandemic.
Meanwhile, India declared 2 days of national mourning with “public broadcaster” Doordarshan declaring that Mangeshkar will be given a state funeral and that the national flag will fly at half-staff. Her last rites will take place at 6:30 pm (13:00GMT) on Sunday. She never married and is survived by her four siblings, all accomplished singers and musicians.
She kick-started her career in 1942 when she was only 13 years. In a legendary career spanning over seven decades, she sang more than 30,000 songs in 36 languages. Her popularity extended even beyond India.
Notably, she was celebrated not only in nations likes Pakistan and Bangladesh but also in some Western countries. She was awarded the “Bharat Ratna”, which is India’s highest civilian honour in 2001.
It is also worth mentioning here that the government of France conferred on her its highest civilian award, “Officier de la Legion d’Honneur”, in 2007.
Condolence messages poured in quickly after her demise. President Ram Nath Kovind said: “heartbreaking for me, as it is for millions the world over” “In her songs, generations found expression of their inner-most emotions,” Kovind added.
“I am anguished beyond words,” Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in a tweet. “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 mesmerize people.”