Bollywood actors, cricketers and politicians are among those who have paid tribute to legendary Indian singer Lata Mangeshkar, who has died aged 92.
Mangeshkar, who was widely considered one of the greatest and most influential singers in India, had a career that spanned eight decades and earned her honorific titles such as the “Nightingale of India” and “Queen of Melody”.
She had been undergoing treatment at Mumbai’s Breach Candy Hospital for almost a month after testing positive for COVID-19 on 8 January.
(From left) Sachin Tendulkar, Mangeshkar, Amitabh Bachchan and politician Bal Thackeray pictured in 2001
India has declared two days of national mourning and said Mangeshkar will be given a state funeral, while the country’s flags will fly at half-mast.
Over her career, Mangeshkar was a major presence as a playback singer on songs that were later lip-synced by actors in India’s Bollywood musicals.
Read more: Singer Lata Mangeshkar – the ‘Nightingale of India’ – dies
Her legacy reaches beyond just Bollywood and the revered singer’s death has left many around the world grieving.
Politicians, Bollywood stars and cricketers have taken to Twitter to pay tribute to the 92-year-old.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted that he is “anguished beyond words”, while former India cricket captain Virat Kohli wrote: “Deeply saddened to hear about the demise of Lata ji. Her melodious songs touched millions of people around the world.
“Thank you for all the music and the memories. My deepest condolences to the family and the loved ones.”
Kareen Kapoor shared a picture of Mangeshkar when she was young. Pic Instagram/Kareen Kapoor
AR Rahman, who won two Grammy Awards, a BAFTA and Golden Globe Award for the Slumdog Millionaire soundtrack, shared a picture of himself with Mangeshkar, with the caption “love respect and prayers”.
Priyanka Chopra paid tribute to the late singer on Instagram, writing: “The music will never stop,” while Kareena Kapoor also shared a picture of Mangeshkar on her Instagram.
Priyanka Chopra tribute paid tribute to Mangeshkar on Instagram. Pic Instagram/Priyanka Chopra
Former Indian batsman Virender Sehwag said on Twitter: “A voice which has resonated with, brought joy and happiness to millions around the world leaves,” while Sachin Tendulkar arrived at the hospital to in Mumbai to pay tribute.
India cricket’s governing body wrote: “The queen of melody enthralled the country for decades.
“An avid follower of the game and an ardent supporter of Team India, she helped create an awareness using music as a medium.”
India’s men’s cricket team paid tribute to Mangeshkar ahead of the first One Day International against West Indies.
The team held a minute of silence before start of play and wore black armbands.
Tributes also poured in from beyond Bollywood, with singer Boy George describing Mangeshkar as “one of India’s most beautiful voices.
“My deepest condolences to her family and most especially to her sister Asha Bhosle who sang on Bow Down Mister. A gifted family,” he wrote.
Bollywood actress Kajol described Mangeshkar as “prolific and profound”, writing: “If we play her songs one by one, we could hear her for a month and never hear the same song.
“I mourn with the rest of the country for our nightingale.”
Amitabh Bachchan shared in his blog, “She has left us. The voice of a million centuries has left us. Her voice resounds now in the Heavens! Prayers for calm and peace.”
Katrina Kaif’s husband and actor Vicky Kaushal shared an old picture of Mangeshkar on Instagram, while Madhuri Dixit said she was “the angelic voice that made us all swoon and fall in love”.