India reacts to the passing of Lata Mangeshkar

Lata Mangeshkar- An artiste born but once in centuries, a divine voice, an exceptional Didi, full of warmth, a melodious voice of unparalleled ability to mesmerise people.

President Ram Nath Kovind and Prime Minister Narendra Modi aptly summed up the mood as entire India deeply mourned the death of the country's nightingale Lata Mangeshkar.

India declared a two-day national mourning following the death of Lata Mangeshkar and the national flag would fly at half-mast, official sources said. The renowned playback singer would be given a state funeral later today.

Lata Mangeshkar and Indian President Ram Nath Kovind. Photos: Collected

"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 inner-most emotions. A Bharat Ratna, Lata-ji's accomplishments will remain incomparable," Kovind wrote in a post on his official Twitter handle.

In a separate post, he said Lata Mangeshkar was "an artist born but once in centuries, Lata-didi was an exceptional human being, full of warmth, as I found whenever I met her. The divine voice has gone quiet forever but her melodies will remain immortal, echoing in eternity. My condolences to her family and admirers everywhere."

Paying glowing tributes to the singer, Modi said "I am anguished beyond words. The kind and caring Lata Didi has left us. She leaves a void in our nation that cannot be filled. The coming generations will remember her as a stalwart of Indian culture, whose melodious voice had an unparalleled ability to mesmerise people."

Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi took to Twitter to say Lataji remained "the most beloved voice of India for many decades" and her "golden voice" was immortal and would continue to echo in the hearts of her fans".

Rahul's sister Priyanka Gandhi Vadra posted a photograph of the veteran singer with former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and wrote, "Her death has caused an irreparable loss to the Indian art world. May God give courage to her family members to bear the pain in this hour of grief."

Lata Mangeshkar and former Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi

India's Road and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari, who visited the Mumbai hospital where Lata Mangeshkar breathed her last, said Lata Mangeshkar's voice was considered the "seventh wonder of the world" and she held a record of singing maximum songs in several languages, the Union transport minister said.

Lata Mangeshkar had famously sung the song "Ae mere Watan Ke Logon" in the presence of the then Indian Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru at the Ramlila Maidan in New Delhi on January 27, 1963 prompted tears to well up in the eyes of Nehru.