End of an era of music in India, Nightingale of India, Bharat Ratna Lata Mangeshkar passed away.

Acclaimed singer Lata Mangeshkar breathed her last at Breach Candy Hospital, Mumbai on Sunday. She was admitted to the hospital in January with Covid-19 and pneumonia. Sachin Tendulkar also visited hospital.

Lata Mangeshkar is lovingly referred to as the ‘Nightingale of India’. She stepped into singing at the age of 13 and recorded her first song in 1942. In her career spanning seven decades, she has to her credit over 30,000 songs in different languages. She has lent her voice to songs in Hindi, Bengali, Marathi, and other regional languages. She has been honoured with the Dadasaheb Phalke Award, Bharat Ratna, Padma Vibhushan and Padma Bhushan as well as several National and Filmfare Awards.

PM Modi says that he is ‘anguished’ over demise of Lata Mangeshkar. He further adds, “I consider it my honour that I have always received immense affection from Lata Didi. Lata Didi’s songs brought out a variety of emotions.” Prime Minister Narendra Modi to arrive in Mumbai late afternoon (4.30 pm) to pay his respects to Lata Mangeshkar.

Mortal remains of Lata Mangeshkar taken to her residence, reports ANI. The last rites with full State honours will be conducted at Shivaji Park at 6.30pm today. 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, say government sources (ANI)

Lata Mangeshkar’s death has left India mourning. The veteran singer was being treated for Covid-19 and pneumonia symptoms for over a month. The who’s who of the Indian film industry, politics and sports took to twitter to offer their condolences. Lata Mangeshkar is the daughter of Pandit Deenanath Mangeshkar and Shevanti Mangeshkar, she belonged to a musical family. 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. Lata Mangeshkar recorded her first Hindi song called “Mata Ek Sapoot Ki Duniya Badal De Tu” for the Marathi feature Gajaabhaau, which had released in 1943. Later, she went on to collaborate with some of the most popular names of the Hindi music industry, including the likes of Anil Biswas, Shankar Jaikishan, Naushad Ali and SD Burman among others.