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.