Lata Mangeshkar, whose warm and radiant voice captured hearts for more than half a century, passed away on Sunday amid acute grief and despair.
She was admitted to Mumbai’s Breach Candy Hospital on January 8 after she tested positive for Covid-19. She underwent weeks-long treatment in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) before falling silent.
The legendary singer was cremated in Mumbai with full state honours with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and stars of the entertainment industry gathering, along with large crowds, to pay respects.
Reverently dubbed the ‘Nightingale of India’ and affectionately called ‘didi’ (elder sister), Mangeshkar’s prowess placed her in the first rank of most revered vocalists in the sub-continent, with her voice echoing beyond the otherwise hostile borders. She leaves behind an indelible impact on the trajectory taken by Hindi film music post-Partition, when she first crooned into the ears of the infant nations.
