Kolkata: Eminent classical singer and Padma
Vibhushan awardee Girija Devi passed away at a city hospital
here tonight following a cardiac arrest, hospital sources
said.
She was 88 and survived by a daughter.
Considered as the queen of Thumri and fondly called
Appa ji, Girija Devi was taken to the city's BM Birla Heart
Research Centre this afternoon with cardiovascular ailments,
She was put on life support, her family sources said.
"Girija Devi's condition was quite critical when she was
brought to the hospital. She was admitted to the CCU and was
under constant watch. But she passed away at around 8.45 pm,"
hospital spokesperson told PTI.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi condoled her death, saying
the singer's music appealed across generations and her
pioneering efforts to popularise Indian classical music would
always be remembered.
"Saddened by demise of Girija Devi ji. Indian classical
music has lost one of its most melodious voices. My thoughts
are with her admirers," he tweeted.
A legendary singer of the "Benaras gharana" had received
Padma Shri in 1972, Padma Bhushan in 1989 and the Padma
Vibhushan in 2016.
Born in a zamindar family at a village near Banaras on
May 8, 1929, music was a part of Girija Devi's life from a
very early age.
