Legendary singer Lata Mangeshkar died at the age of 92 on Sunday morning. In an eight-decade long career, the singer won almost every laurel imaginable, including the Bharat Ratna, India’s highest civilian honour.
Authorities at the Breach Candi Hospital said the iconic singer, known as the ‘Nightingale of India’, passed away at 8.12am after she had suffered a multi organ failure last night. Arrangements are now being made to take her body to Shivaji Park where it will be kept for public homage.
N Santhanam, chief executive officer of Breach Candy Hospital, said “Mangeshkar was admitted to the hospital as a Covid patient. Covid was treated, but due to post Covid complications she passed away.” The Bharat Ratna awardee was admitted to the hospital after being diagnosed with pneumonia and tested positive for the coronavirus disease in January. She was on the ventilator for weeks, taken off it on January 28 as she showed signs of improvement.
The news of Lata Mangeshkar’s death has triggered a national outpouring of grief. Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed anguish over her death, saying the legendary singer has left “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 Modi wrote on Twitter.
Maharashtra chief minister Uddhav Thackeray said Mangeshkar’s last rites would be performed with full state honours. The central government announced a two-day national mourning in her memory with the National Flag flying at half-mast till Monday.
