The voice that transcended borders: Subcontinent mourns legendary Lata Mangeshkar’s death
New Delhi, February 6
From serving Prime Ministers to former Presidents, several overseas aficionados of Lata Mangeshkar’s voice expressed grief over her passing away.
In Pakistan, Lata Didi started trending on Twitter around the same time as in India. And the expressions of dismay and grief were the same. “Say no. This news is a lie,” was perhaps the most repeated expression in both nations, who were joined by her fans from the wider subcontinent, including Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka and even Malaysia. The Arab street also commiserated with her death as did social media users from north Africa.
Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan said the “subcontinent has lost one of the truly great singers the world has known. His Information and Broadcasting Minister Fawad Chaudhry described her as the “queen of notes, who ruled the music world for many decades”.
“With her voice, Lata Mangeshkar filled millions of hearts with joy. Her melodies are universal and forever. May the nightingale of India rest in peace,” wrote former Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai on Twitter.
PML-N president Shehbaz Sharif wrote on Twitter that he grew up listening to her songs, which would remain part of his memory.
The United States and Israel embassies, and the envoys of France Emmanuel Lenin and Germany Walter Lindner also recalled her legacy.
World has lost truly great singer
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. Imran Khan, Pakistan Prime Minister
Will always be remembered
A great void has been created in the subcontinent’s musical arena with the demise of the ‘Sur Samraggi (empress of music)’. Sheikh Hasina, Bangladesh PM
Contribution to Nepali music
I am saddened by the news of the demise of famous Indian singer Lata Mangeshkar, who has also lent her melodious voice to many Nepalese songs. Bidya Devi Bhandari, Nepal president
Touched billions of hearts
Rest in peace Srimathi Lata Mangeshkar, India’s ‘Queen of Music’ who touched billions of hearts through her golden and unparalleled voice. Gotabaya Rajapaksa, Sri Lanka President
Her melodies are forever
With her voice, Lata Mangeshkar filled millions of hearts with joy. Her melodies are universal and forever. May the ‘Nightingale of India’ rest in peace. Hamid Karzai, former Afghanistan President
