From Lata Mangeshkar to KK, 7 iconic musicians we lost in 2022

“If you have taken birth you have to die, who has ever been immortal?
When have the waters of the river of life ever been still?”

Michael Madhusudan Dutta, Bengali poet, poem ‘Bongo Bhumir Proti’ (To my motherland)


2022 has been a year marked by catastrophic losses. To begin with, this was the year when employees around the world were hard hit by unceremonious layoffs. From economic strife to the pandemic, the world has been hit by numerous setbacks.

However, this was also the year when many veterans of the Indian music fraternity sang their swan song. Many singers whose voices had been part of our childhood and youth bade adieu one by one.

Below are some of the musical legends we lost this year. They may not be around anymore but their voices will linger on in our hearts forever.

Lata Mangeshkar

On February 6, 2022, the Nightingale of India flew away to a heavenly abode. Lata Mangeshkar who had been the soul of the Hindi music industry for several generations breathed her last after suffering multiple organ failure. Although the Bharat Ratna winner worked primarily in Bollywood, she also worked as a playback singer for the Bengali as well as the Marathi industry. In an illustrious career that spanned over seven decades, her divine voice had given birth to several classics such as ‘ Ajeeb Daastan Hai Yeh’, ‘ Mere Khwabo Mein Jo Aaye’ and many more.

Bappi Lahiri

At the beginning of 2022, Bollywood lost one of its iconic music composers Bappi Lahiri. He died from obstructive sleep apnea on February 15. He was 69.

Also known as the ‘Disco King’, the singer-music composer pioneered the ‘disco-song’ trend in India. He made his debut as a song composer with the 1974 Bengali movie ‘Dadu’. In a career spanning more than four decades, Lahiri produced many evergreen chartbusters such as ‘Disco Dancer’, ‘ Yaar Bina Chain Kaha Re’, ‘Taki Taki’, ‘Yaad Araha Hai’ ‘Ool La La’ etc. Although he was more famous for fast-paced synthpop bangers, Lahiri was equally at ease with romantic ballads. ‘Chirodini Tumi J Aamar’ (You are forever mine) a Bengali slow and melodious number remains one of the most popular Bengali romantic songs of all time.

Sandhya Mukherjee

One of the legends of the Bengali music industry, Sandhya Mukherjee passed away on February 15, following a massive cardiac arrest. She was 90. Once a regular in the playback scene, Mukherjee’s mellifluous voice gave birth to many hit songs such as ‘Madhu Malati Dake Aai’, ‘Aami Swapne Tomay Dekhechi’, and many others.

Taz Stereo Nation

For many 90s kids, this was Taz a.k.a Tarsame Singh Saini’s demise, signified the end of an era. He was the lead singer of the pop band Stereo Nation. This pop sensation who was one of the pioneers of cross-cultural Asian music passed away at the age of 56 on April 29. He was 56. His discography includes evergreen hits such as ‘Pyaar Ho Gaya’, ‘ Gallan Gorian’, ‘Naachenge Saari Raat’ etc.

KK

KK fans will never be able to listen to the soulful track ‘Hum rahe ya na rahein kal… yaad ayenge yeh pal…” (whether we are here tomorrow or not, memories will stay) the same way again. KK a.k.a Krishnakumar Kunnath who defined romantic and melancholic songs for a whole generation breathed his last on 31st May. He fell ill while performing at Nazrul Mancha, Kolkata. Ironically ‘Pal’ was the last song he sang before collapsing. According to reports, he had an underlying heart condition that worsened due to the crowded area. KK was the voice behind many of the modern classics such as ‘Khuda Jaane’, ‘Ding Dong’, ‘Aankhon Mein Teri’, and many more.

Sidhu Moose Wala

The month of May also witnessed the death of another youth icon of the music industry. Sidhu Moose Wala, a heavyweight of the Punjabi music industry was shot dead by assailants in the Mansa district of Punjab on May 29. Some of the rapper's most popular songs include ‘So High’, ‘Warning Shots’, ‘Legend,’ etc.

Edava Basheer

Noted playback singer-poet Edava Basheer died while performing on stage live, on May 28. He was 78. Basheer was one of the most celebrated singers in Kerala. He was the voice behind many blockbuster songs such as ‘Veena Vaayikkum’, ‘Aazhithiramaalakal’ etc.