Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday condoled the death of Thumri exponent and veteran classical singer Girija Devi.
Girija Devi passed away late Tuesday evening at a hospital in Kolkata following a cardiac arrest.
"Saddened by the demise of Girija Deviji. Indian classical music has lost one of its most melodious voices. My thoughts are with her admirers," Modi tweeted.
"Girija Deviji's music appealed across generations. Her pioneering efforts to popularise Indian classical music will always be remembered," he added.
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
President Ram Nath Kovind also paid homage to the 88-year-old artist as he tweeted, "Sad to hear of demise of classical singer and Queen of Thumri Girija Devi. Our cultural heritage has been left poorer #PresidentKovind"
Also Read
Sad to hear of demise of classical singer and Queen of Thumri Girija Devi. Our cultural heritage has been left poorer #PresidentKovind
— President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) October 25, 2017
Veteran lyricist Javed Akhtar said: "Girija Devi was not only a great classical singer but a national treasurer. We are poorer with out her."
Girija Devi was not only a great classical singer but a national treasure too . We are poorer without her . Girija ji , AAP Ko mera salaam .
— Javed Akhtar (@Javedakhtarjadu) October 24, 2017
Saddened by the demise of Thumri legend #GirijaDevi. Was always a mesmerising experience to listen to her. ???? ?????? ????? ?? ??? ?????? pic.twitter.com/fzbLLdnNDX
— Anupam Kher (@AnupamPkher) October 24, 2017
Born in Varanasi, on May 8 1929, to Ramdeo Rai, a zamindar, Girija Devi started taking her lessons in singing khyal and tappa from vocalist and sarangi player Sarju Prasad Misra at the age of five.
She was honoured with Padma Shri in 1972, Padma Bhushan in 1989 and Padma Vibhushan last year.
Disclaimer: No Business Standard Journalist was involved in creation of this content
