Mumbai: Iconic singer Lata Mangeshkar passed away on Sunday. She was 92.
"It is with profound grief that we announce the sad demise of Lata Mangeshkar at 8:12 am. She has died because of multi-organ failure after more than 28 days of hospitalisation post-COVID-19," Dr Pratit Samdani, who was treating her at a private hospital in Mumbai said.
The singer lost her battle to Covid-19 after undergoing multiple days of treatment. She had tested positive for coronavirus on January 8.
"She is no more. She died in the morning," Usha Mangeshkar, the singer's younger sister, said.
A state funeral will be accorded to the Bharat Ratna.
Two-day national mourning to be observed in memory of Lata Mangeshkar. The National flag to fly at half-mast for two days, as a mark of respect, government sources said.
Regarded as one of Indian cinema's greatest playback singers, Mangeshkar started her career at the age of 13 in 1942 and has sung over 30,000 songs in various Indian languages.
Her contribution to the Indian music industry in a career spanning seven decades has gained her honorific titles such as the Nightingale of India and Queen of Melody.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he was anguished at the demise of legendary singer Lata Mangeshkar.
"Coming generations will remember Lata Mangeshkar as a stalwart of Indian culture, whose voice had unparalleled ability to mesmerise people. Beyond films, Lata Didi was always passionate about India's growth & wanted to see a strong and developed India," Modi said.
"She leaves a void in our nation that cannot be filled," Modi added.
President Ram Nath Kovind condoled the passing away of singing legend Lata Mangeshkar and "A Bharat Ratna, Lata-Ji’s accomplishments will remain incomparable."
"An era has ended," the Rajya Sabha member tweeted along with a photograph of Lata Mangeshkar.
"One sun, one moon, only one Lata. An era has ended," Shiv Sena MP and party's chief spokesperson Sanjay Raut said expressing his grief.
Condoling singing legend Lata Mangeshkar's demise, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said her golden voice is immortal and will continue to echo in the hearts of her fans.
Lata has recorded songs in over thirty-six Indian languages and a few foreign languages, though primarily in Hindi and Marathi.
She has received several accolades and honours throughout her career.
In 1989, 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.
She is the recipient of three National Film Awards, 15 Bengal Film Journalists' Association Awards, four Filmfare Best Female Playback Awards, two Filmfare Special Awards, Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award, and many more.
In 1974, she became the first Indian to perform at the Royal Albert Hall, London.
