"I am anguished beyond words," wrote Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday, 6 February, shortly after Bharat Ratna and legendary singer Lata Mangeshkar breathed her last.
Social media was flooded with tributes, including those from Home Minister Amit Shah, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) chief JP Nadda, as the entire nation mourned their collective loss.
Lata Mangeshkar passed away at the age of 92 on Sunday, 6 February. She was admitted to Mumbai's Breach Candy Hospital
Taking to Twitter, PM Modi also wrote:
"I consider it my honour that I have always received immense affection from Lata Didi."
President Ram Nath Kovind also took to Twitter to express his condolences and said, "Lata-ji’s demise is heart-breaking for me, as it is for millions the world over. In her vast range of songs, rendering the essence and beauty of India, generations found expression of their innermost emotions. A Bharat Ratna, Lata-ji’s accomplishments will remain incomparable."
Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh also expressed his sorrow and said in a statement:
“I have learnt with deepest sorrow about the passing away of Lata Mangeshkar ji. India has lost a great daughter. She was the “Nightingale of India” and through her songs made an immense contribution to the cultural integration of the country. Her passing away is an immense loss to our nation and the void is going to be impossible to fill.”
He added, “My wife and I send our heartfelt condolences to the members of Lataji’s family, and we pray to God for the peace of the departed Soul.”
Meanwhile, Home Minister Amit Shah said that he considers himself fortunate to have received her blessing and affection from time to time.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh offered his condolences to her family and fans and said in a tweet in Hindi, "The voice of India has been lost with the death of 'Swar Kokila' Lata Mangeshkar ji."
Meanwhile, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi offered condolences and pointed out that "her golden voice is immortal and will continue to echo in the hearts of her fans".
Congress interim chief Sonia Gandhi also expressed her grief and said, "An era has ended today. Lata Ji will always be an inspiration for generations."
More Tributes Pour In
Other political figures including BJP president JP Nadda, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, and Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan also took to Twitter to mourn Mangeshkar's passing and to pay tributes to the singer.
WB, UP, Maha Chief Ministers Pay Tributes
Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray instructed for the state funeral for late Lata Mangeshkar and said that it has left him 'heartbroken'.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stgalin also expressed his condolences to her family and fans.
Meanwhile, senior Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad also paid his tribute by saying that "personalities like Lata Mangeshkar take birth once in a thousand years. No person in our country is left untouched by her music," ANI reported.
Lok Sabha speaker Om Birla expressed 'deep grief' at the late singer's passing and said, "Her songs connected people all over the world with India, breaking the barriers of language. Her demise is an irreparable loss for the whole nation."
Veteran BJP leader LK Advani also paid tribute to the legendary singer and said in a statement, "Lata ji was a fine human being and in all my interactions with her, I was touched by her simplicity, warmth and above all, her love for our great country", NDTV reported.
His statement read:
"Lata ji has been my all time favourite among popular singers and I feel fortunate to have shared a long association with her. I recall the time when she recorded a beautiful Shri Ram Bhajan and sent it to me when I was about to undertake my Ram Rath Yatra from Somnath to Ayodhya. That memorable song, 'Ram naam mein jaadu aisa, Ram naam man bhaaye, man ki Ayodhya tab tak sooni, jab tak Ram na aaye…' became the signature tune of my Yatra."
He added that he has also been particularly fond of 'Jyoti Kalash Chhalke' and felt overwhelmed each time the late Lata Mangeshkar sang the song.
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