“An Era Comes to an End”: Thumri Queen Girija Devi Passes Away

Musicians, celebs and fans are taking to social media to express their grief.

Iconic Indian classical singer Girija Devi passed away at the age of 88 in Kolkata on Tuesday, 24 October.

Considered as the queen of Thumri and fondly called Appa ji, Girija Devi was admitted to the city’s BM Birla Heart Research Centre on the afternoon of 24 October due to cardiovascular ailments and was put on life support.

The legendary singer of the ‘Benaras gharana’ had received Padma Shri in 1972, Padma Bhushan in 1989 and the Padma Vibhushan in 2016.

As the news of her demise spread, musicians, celebs and fans took to social media to express their condolences, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Saddened by demise of Girija Devi ji. Indian classical music has lost one of its most melodious voices. My thoughts are with her admirers.

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) October 24, 2017

Girija Devi ji's music appealed across generations. Her pioneering efforts to popularise Indian classical music will always be remembered.

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) October 24, 2017

Shubha Mudgal, Pankaj Udhas, Javed Akhtar, Lata Mangeshkar and many others took to Twitter to express shock and grief.

Passing away of legend Vidushi Girija Devi has left a void in the Indian classical music may her soul rest in eternal peace our Pranams 🙏🏻🙏🏻 pic.twitter.com/6EL3SmgMAh

— Pankaj Udhas (@Pankajkudhas) October 24, 2017

Colossal loss for the world of Indian music. Girija Devi ji passes away. Appaji to her followers,

— Shubha Mudgal (@smudgal) October 24, 2017

Also Read: Jukebox: Girija Devi Was in a Class of Her Own

Mahan shastriya aur thumri gayika Girija Devi ji hamare bich nahi rahi ye sunke mujhe bahut dukh hua.Hamare unke bahut acche sambandh the. pic.twitter.com/QhrLH5mW2q

— Lata Mangeshkar (@mangeshkarlata) October 24, 2017

Girija Devi was not only a great classical sinner but a national treasurer . We are poorer with out her

— Javed Akhtar (@Javedakhtarjadu) October 24, 2017

My profuse apologies. While expressing my grief at the demise of the great Girija Devi autocorrect misspelled the word SINGER .Pls ignore it

— Javed Akhtar (@Javedakhtarjadu) October 24, 2017

Deeply saddened at the demise of eminent classical singer Girija Devi.Thumri lovers like me shall mourn her forever. #RestInPeaceGirijaDevi

— Prosenjit Chatterjee (@prosenjitbumba) October 24, 2017

An era has come to an end .. our dearest Girija devi ji has moved on to the next dimension ... her voice will live on this planet forever ! pic.twitter.com/uaMLtRZaUa

— Shankar Mahadevan (@Shankar_Live) October 24, 2017

Deeply saddened by the passing away of the legendary Girija Devi. This truly marks the end of an era #RIPGirijaDevi pic.twitter.com/tdXGOumctt

— Amjad Ali Khan (@AAKSarod) October 24, 2017

A blessed voice in music has departed for heaven.Respected Girija Devi, we will miss you but your voice will live within us. Rest in Peace.🙏 https://t.co/AORfhq8GVa

— Adnan Sami (@AdnanSamiLive) October 24, 2017

Heard just now that Vidushi Girija Devi passed away.A great loss to Ind classical music.Grew up with her ‘Diwana kiye Shyam’. Shraddhanjali🙏

— Sharmistha Mukherjee (@Sharmistha_GK) October 24, 2017

Padma Vibhushan Girija Devi no more.May her departed soul rest in peace. pic.twitter.com/HSHcfjgSRc

— Shwapnil Shojib (@shwapnil_shojib) October 24, 2017

Girija Devi. You brought in the spring, the rains, love & life when you sang & told us stories. Your music, voice & spirit is eternal. 🙏🏽🎶

— SONA (@sonamohapatra) October 24, 2017