The nation bid tearful adieu to Nightingale of India, Lata Mangeshkar whose mortal remains were consigned to flames at Shivaji Park in Mumbai with full state honours on Sunday evening.
The funeral of the legendary singer was attended by a galaxy of leaders including Prime Minister Narendra Modi who placed a wreath on the mortal remains of the iconic singer.
The mortal remains of the legendary singer draped in the national flag were brought to Shivaji Park from her residence Prabhu Kunj where it was kept to pay last respects.
Bharat Ratna awardee Lata Mangeshkar passed away this morning at the age of 92 due to multiple organ failure. The Queen of Melody was admitted to Breach Candy hospital in Mumbai on 8th of January after she was diagnosed with COVID-19. She was put on ventilator support after her condition worsened yesterday.
The government has declared a two-day national mourning as mark of respect to the departed soul. During state mourning national flag will be flown at half mast throughout the country. Maharashtra government has also declared public holiday tomorrow due to demise of the veteran singer. The West Bengal government has also declared a half-day holiday as a mark of respect to the icon.
Born on 28th of September in 1929, Lata Mangeshkar who was fondly called ‘Lata Didi’ is widely acclaimed as one of the greatest playback singers in the country. She was born in a musical family to Pandit Deenanath Mangeshkar and Shevanti Mangeshkar. Her father was a well-known Marathi musician and theatre artiste. She was first tutored by her father and later appeared as a child artiste in several of his plays. The icon, who presented generations with unbridled joy through her songs, has been India’s favourite voice ever since her debut in the 1940s.
Renowned personalities from various fields have expressed their deepest condolences on the loss of the iconic singer. Several Political leaders have expressed deep affection for the singer.
President Ram Nath Kovind, Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and other leaders have expressed grief on the demise of the doyen of the Indian playback singing.
President Kovind said Lata-ji’s demise is heartbreaking for him as well as millions of people the world over. He said, in Lata Mangeshkar’s vast range of songs, rendering the essence and beauty of India, generations found expression of their innermost emotions. Mr Kovind said, Bharat Ratna, Lata-ji’s accomplishments will remain incomparable.
The Vice President said, India has lost its voice in the death of Lata ji, who has enthralled music lovers in India and across the globe with her mellifluous and sublime voice for many decades.
Prime Minister Modi said, Lata Didi’s songs brought out a variety of emotions and she closely witnessed the transitions of the Indian film world for decades. Mr Modi said, beyond films, she was always passionate about India’s growth and always wanted to see a strong and developed India.The Prime minister said, he has always received immense affection from Lata Didi and interactions with her will remain unforgettable. Mr Modi said, she leaves a void in our nation that cannot be filled and the coming generations will remember her as a stalwart of Indian culture, whose melodious voice had an unparalleled ability to mesmerise people.
Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla said, the songs of ‘Swarkokila’ Lata Mangeshkar connected people all over the world.
Home Minister, Amit Shah said, with her melodious and mesmerizing voice, she filled the lives of every generation not only in India but all over the world with the sweetness of Indian music.
Union Minister Nitin Gadkari also condoled the demise of the Legendary singer. Union Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi termed her demise as an irreparable loss for the whole nation.
BJP President JP Nadda, said it is an irreparable loss to the entire art world. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said, the golden voice of Lata Mangeshkar is immortal and will continue to echo in the hearts of her fans.
The who is who of the film industry is under grief at the demise of the great singer. Veteran actor Dharmendra said he had very cordial relations with Lata Mangeshkar.
Global leaders and diplomats also extended their condolences on the demise of ‘Melody Queen of India’
Bangladesh President M Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina have expressed profound shock and sorrow at the death of the legendary singer of the sub-continent.
Calling Lata Mangeshkar as ‘Sur-samraggi’, empress of music, Prime Minister Hasina in her condolence message said that she will remain alive forever in the hearts of the people in the region through her works.
Sri Lankan Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa also expressed grief on the demise of veteran singer. In his message, Mr Rajapaksa said, Lata Mangeshkar’s songs transcended borders and gave life to the phrase ‘music is a universal language’.
Nepal President Bidya Devi Bhandari paid rich tributes to the legendary singer, saying her soulful Nepali songs enriched music in Nepal. President Bhandari said, the singer had an extraordinary talent.
Pakistan’s Minister for Information and Broadcasting Chaudhary Fawad Hussain said that Lata Mangeshkar was a melodious queen, who ruled the world of music for decades. The Minister said she was uncrowned queen of music and her voice will keep ruling the Hearts of people for all times to come.
France’s ambassador to India, Emmanuel Lenain, ina tweet said, he was deeply saddened by Lata Mangeshkar’s death and referenced the Officier de la Legion d’Honneur, France’s highest civilian award, which it conferred on Nightingale of India” in 2007.
German Ambassador to India, Walter J. Lindner paid tribute to the Lata Mangeshkar, saying, she was a legend and an irreplaceable voice who remained an institution of music for seven decades and her legacy will live forever.
The US embassy in India also paid tribute to Lata Mangeshkar. It said, History will mark her contribution to India’s music in golden words.