'A void that cannot be filled.' PM Modi mourns Lata Mangeshkar's death; 2-day natl mourning, Tricolour at half-mast

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday mourned the death of veteran singer Lata Mangeshkar as a "void that cannot be filled". The singer breathed her last at the age of 92 in Mumbai's Breach Candy Hospital.

Recalling her stellar contribution, Modi said that Mangeshkar's death has left a "void in our nation that cannot be filled" and he is anguished with the news beyond words.

"I am anguished beyond words. The kind and caring Lata Didi has left us," the Prime Minister said on Twitter.


Pay your tribute to Lata Mangeshkar

Mangeshkar, who was known to millions as the 'Nightingale of India' and ruled the country's airwaves for decades, breathed her last in Mumbai’s Breach Candy Hospital on Sunday. A state of national mourning has been declared and the Tricolour will fly at half-mast.

Paying his tribute to the late legendary singer, the PM further said that the successive generations will remember Mangeshkar as a "stalwart of Indian culture whose melodious voice had an unparalleled ability to mesmerise people."

The 71-year-old prime minister further said that Mangeshkar was also passionate about the country's growth, apart from her involvement and contribution to Indian films and its culture.

"Lata Didi’s songs brought out a variety of emotions. She closely witnessed the transitions of the Indian film world for decades. Beyond films, she was always passionate about India’s growth. She always wanted to see a strong and developed India," he said.


The prime minister said that his interactions with the veteran singer, from whom he always received immense affection, will remain unforgettable.

"I consider it my honour that I have always received immense affection from Lata Didi. My interactions with her will remain unforgettable. I grieve with my fellow Indians on the passing away of Lata Didi. Spoke to her family and expressed condolences. Om Shanti," he added.

The news of Mangeshkar's death, who was put back on ventilator on Saturday after her health became critical, has shaken the entire nation.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi paid his tribute to the late legend and said she will always remain the most beloved voice of India.

"Her golden voice is immortal," Gandhi said, adding that Mangeshkar's voice will echo in the hearts of her fans.

"Received the sad news of Lata Mangeshkar ji’s demise. She remained the most beloved voice of India for many decades. Her golden voice is immortal and will continue to echo in the hearts of her fans. My condolences to her family, friends and fans," Gandhi tweeted.


The 92-year-old singer had tested positive for Covid with mild symptoms and was admitted on January 8 to Mumbai's Breach Candy Hospital's intensive care unit (ICU) where she was receiving treatment. The singer recovered from the coronavirus and was removed from the ventilator recently after her health started to get better.

Several known personalities from the world of cinema, sports, politics and more also mourned Mangeshkar's death and took to Twitter to pay their respects to the singer.


From one queen to another: P. T. Usha, known as the 'Queen of Indian track and field', retired athlete, called Mangeshkar's death "an end of an era" and said that India grew up listening to Mangeshkar's melodious voice.

"An era ended today with the sad demise of Bharat Ratna Lata Mangeshkar Didi. We all have grown up listening to her melodious voice which will echo in our lives forever. Om Shanti," she tweeted.