Lata Mangeshkar cremation: India bids teary goodbye to 'Bharat Ratna'

Legendary singer Lata Mangeshkar’s nephew Aadinath Mangeshkar performs her final rites. He is the son of her brother Hridaynath. India’s Nightingale Lata Mangeshkar was cremated with full state honours. BMC workers and priests had prepared the pyre for the final immolation.

“With the death of Lata Mangeshkar, the subcontinent has lost one of the truly great singers the world has known. Listening to her songs has given so much pleasure to so many people all over the world,” Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan tweeted.

Shortly after, the singer will be laid to rest at Mumbai’s Shivaji Park with full state honours. 

Shah Rukh Khan, Sachin Tendulkar, Ranbir Kapoor, Aamir Khan, Javed Akhtar at Lata Mangeshkar’s funeral begins. (Photo: Yogen Shah)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s arrival Shivaji Park maidan. Picture shared by the official Twitter account of the Governor of Maharashtra. Modi was received by Aaditya Thackeray, Devendra Fadnavis, and Bhagat Singh Koshyari. 

Lata Mangeshkar’s entire family, including younger sister Asha Bhosle is at Shivaji Park. Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray, NCP Chief Sharad Pawar, Shraddha Kapoor is also in attendance.

Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan has arrived at Shivaji Park for the funeral of legendary singer Lata Mangeshkar and his manager Pooja Dadlani.

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Sachin Tendulkar has reached Shivaji Park to pay his last respects to Lata Mangeshkar. He shared a picture of the singer and wrote, “I consider myself fortunate to have been a part of Lata Didi’s life. She always showered me with her love and blessings. With her passing away, a part of me feels lost too. She’ll always continue to live in our hearts through her music.”

On Sunday, Prime Minister Modi’s website spotlighted the “special bond” between him and Lata Mangeshkar and noted that the singer had in 2013 said she prays to God to see him as India’s prime minister. “Lata Didi had immense affection for PM Modi,” the write-up on the website noted. Noting that both shared the same birthday month, she used to call him ‘Narendra Bhai affectionately’.

Songs sung by the late Lata Mangeshkar are being played at Shivaji Park maidan in Mumbai. The legendary singer’s cremation is scheduled for 6:30 pm.

PM Narendra Modi reaches Mumbai to attend the funeral of Lata Mangeshkar. Aditya Thackeray, Kishori Pednekar, Devendra Fadnavis, Ashish Shelar, Manoj Kotak receive PM Modi at the airport.

Remembering Lata Mangeshkar, veteran composer Ilaiyaraaja tweeted, “Heartbroken, but blessed to have known her and for having worked with her… loved this incredible voice and soul… Lataji holds a place in our hearts that is irreplaceable… That’s how profoundly she has impacted our lives with her voice.”

To mourn the death of iconic singer and Bharat Ratna Lata Mangeshkar, the Maharashtra government has announced a public holiday on Monday.

Fans and many celebs join the funeral procession of Lata Mangeshkar as it proceeds to Shivaji Park from her ‘Prabhukunj’ residence. The last rites of the legendary singer will be performed at Shivaji Park maidan today evening.

After announcing a half-day on February 7 in honour of singer Lata Mangeshkar, West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee announced to play songs of Bharat Ratna awardee at every public spot, government installation and traffic signals for the next 15 days.

“Maharashtra Government has declared a public holiday tomorrow (Monday, 7 February) to mourn the demise of Lata Mangeshkar,” the Chief Ministers Office (CMO) statement read. The Central government has also announced two days of state mourning on Sunday and Monday during which the National Flag will be flown at half-mast throughout India.

Before the last rites, Lata Mangeshkar's mortal remains will be kept at Shivaji Park for her fans to pay their last respects. A truck had been decorated with flowers and a beautiful photo of the legendary singer. 

A large crowd and singer's fans have gathered outside Lata Mangeshkar’s residence at Peddar road to say a final goodbye to the beloved singer.

Former Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh expresses his deepest sorrow on the passing away of Lata Mangeshkar.

Prime Minister Modi is likely to land in Mumbai by 5:15 pm. The PM will pay his last respects to Lata Mangeshkar at Shivaji Park.

The Indian Cricket Team is wearing black armbands today to pay their respects to Lata Mangeshkar. Lata didi loved cricket, always supported the game, and backed Team India, read the tweet from BCCI.

Amitabh Bachchan was spotted at Lata Mangeshkar’s residence at Peddar Road along with his daughter Shweta Bachchan Nanda. 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has confirmed in a tweet that he will be leaving for Mumbai in some time to pay his last respects to Lata Mangeshkar. The singer's mortal remains will be cremated at Shivaji Park later today. PM Modi took to Twitter and wrote, "Will be leaving for Mumbai in some time to pay my last respects to Lata Didi."

Celebs like Javed Akhtar, Shraddha Kapoor, Ashutosh Gowariker at Prabha Kunj, the residence of Lata Mangeshkar in Mumbai.

Lata Mangeshkar Net Worth: According to various websites, the singer's net worth was allegedly $15 million (around Rs 105 crore). It was also said that her monthly income is Rs 40 lakh, and her annual income is around Rs 6 crore. Read on Lata Mangeshkar net worth, cars, houses, education and more

Indian singer of Hindustani classical music Shubha Mudgal called the dark day. "Right now I am unable to speak, it is a great loss for India, she is a love icon who will always remain in your minds." "The news was shocking and unable to believe it," she added. 

Legendary singer Lata Mangeshkar breathed her last on Sunday morning at Mumbai’s Breach Candy Hospital. On the singing legend’s passing away, Bollywood singer Sona Mohapatra recalls the last time she met Mangeshkar.

“The last time I met Lata Ji was at Sonu Nigam’s residence. I was astonished to see how sharp as a tack she was. She was very aware, cracking jokes and had a political view too, as in she was very aware of things around. She knew of the good singers around and also the good songs,” said Mohapatra, while speaking to this reporter.

Read about Sona Mohapatra's memories with Lata Mangeshkar

Singer Shreya Ghoshal takes to Twitter to mourn the demise of Lata Mangeshkar.

She posts: "Feeling numb. Devastated. Yesterday was Saraswati Puja & today Ma took her blessed one with her. Somehow it feels that even the birds, trees & wind are silent today. Swar Kokila Bharat Ratna Lata Mangeshkarji your divine voice will echo till eternity. Rest in peace. Om Shanti."

ITBP Constable Mujammal Haque's musical tribute to Bharat Ratna Lata Mangeshkar. 

Lata Mangeshkar debuted as an actress and singer with Pahili Mangalagaur (1942). Since then, the legendary singer mesmerised all with her peerless vocals, singing songs in more than 20 languages.

Did you know she also composed music under the pen name ‘Anand Ghan’ and produced a few films?

BJP MP and actor Ravi Kishan mourns the demise of Bharat Ratna Lata Mangeshkar; says the world of cinema and music has been left orphaned with this loss.

A R Rahman pays tributes to the 'Nightingale of India'

Maharashtra CM UddhavThackeray expresses grief at the demise of Bharat Ratna Lata Mangeshkar, says it has left him 'heartbroken'

A state funeral will be accorded to Lata Mangeshkar, says the Chief Minister's Office.

President Ram Nath Kovind joined a billion Indians in paying tributed to Lata Mangeshkar

In a series of posts on Twitter, he said: "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."

Boney Kapoor: "She leaves behind a huge legacy of songs which will be treasured for generations to come"

Anil Kapoor: "Lataji holds a place in our hearts that will never be taken by anyone else. That's how profoundly she has impacted our lives with her music."

Ajay Devgn: "I will always savour the legacy of her songs. How fortunate were we to have grown up listening to Lataji's songs.

Shabana Azmi: "Lataji ..our national treasure no more"

A pall of gloom has descended upon Bollywood following the demise of Lata Mangeshkar. 

Here are some of the tributes:

Two-day national mourning to be observed in memory of Lata Mangeshkar, says government sources.

The national flag to fly at half-mast for two days, as a mark of respect:

Prime Minister Narendra Modi mourns the demise of Lata Mangeshkar. He 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."

Unfortunate news coming in this morning. Lata Mangeshkar breathed her last in Mumbai's Breach Candy hospital in the wee hours of Sunday.

Celebrities and politicians have been visiting the Breach Candy hospital to enquire about the health of Lata Mangeshkar, whose health continues to be critical.

Earlier in the evening, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray visited the hospital. Later, according to reports, Supriya Sule visited the hospital and met the Mangeshkar family members. 

A short while back, Asha Bhonsle too visited the hospital. 

Police deployment has been enhanced outside the hospital.