Lata Mangeshkar death: 'Nightingale of India' laid to rest with funeral procession

The Indian playback singer was given a funeral with state honours in Mumbai on Sunday evening

Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrives to pay his respects to Indian singer Lata Mangeshkar during her funeral at Shivaji Park in Mumbai, India on February 6, 2022. Reuters

Chief Minister of Maharashtra Uddhav Thackeray, left, with his son, minister Aditya Thackeray, and wife attends the funeral ceremony of Bollywood singer Lata Mangeshkar. AFP

People pay tribute to Indian singer Lata Mangeshkar in Kolkata on Sunday, after she died at the age of 92. AFP

India's legendary singer Lata Mangeshkar was cremated at Shivaji Park in Mumbai on Sunday evening. She was being treated for Covid-19 and pneumonia symptoms for nearly a month. EPA

Asha Bhosle, sister of Lata Mangeshkar, at the funeral procession. EPA

Lata Mangeshkar was given state honours for her last rites. EPA

Defence personnel carry the mortal remains of Lata Mangeshkar. EPA

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi was one of the first public figures to express his sadness at the beloved singer's death.

Lata Mangeshkar started singing at a very young age under the training of her musician father. EPA

Lata Mangeshkar started playback singing for Hindi films in 1946, a year before India's independence from the British. EPA

People line up to pay last respects to Lata Mangeshkar in Mumbai. AP

Bollywood superstar Amitabh Bachchan along with his daughter Shweta Bachchan Nanda arrives to pay tribute to Lata Mangeshkar. AP

Lata Mangeshkar is credited with songs such as 'Aye Mere Watan Ke Logo', which have gone on to become patriotic anthems for India. AP

In 1969, Mangeshwar was honoured with the third-highest civilian award, Padma Bhushan. AP

In 1974, Mangeshkar became the first Indian to perform at the Royal Albert Hall in London. AP

In 1989, Mangeshkar was honoured with Dadasaheb Phalke Award. India's highest award in cinema.

Mangeshkar is fondly called the 'Nightingale of India'. Reuters

Legendary Indian playback singer Lata Mangeshkar was cremated with state honours at Shivaji Park in Mumbai on Sunday evening, after she died aged 92 on Sunday morning.

See photos above of Lata Mangeshkar's funeral procession.

She had been treated for nearly a month at the intensive care unit at Breach Candy Hospital after having Covid-19 diagnosed. Her sister Usha confirmed her death to the Press Trust of India.

Politicians and dignitaries, including India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi, attended the last rites, alongside world-renowned Indian celebrities such as actor Shah Rukh Khan and Bollywood star Amitabh Bachchan.

Aamir Khan, Ranbir Kapoor, Vidya Balan and Shraddha Kapoor were also among those who attended the funeral procession or visited Mangeshkar's home earlier on Sunday.

Family members, including Mangeshkar's sister, Asha Bhosle, whose rivalry with her sister had been much talked about, also paid tribute.

Defence personnel carried Mangeshkar's remains as part of the funeral procession.

Who was Lata Mangeshkar?

Born in 1929 in Indore to musician Deenanath Mangeshkar and his wife, Shevanti, Mangeshkar and her four siblings – who would all become accomplished singers – were introduced to Indian classical music and theatre early in life.

As the eldest, Mangeshkar began performing in her father's musical plays at the age of 5, dropping out of school to focus on her craft.

Mangeshkar recorded thousands of tracks in her career, spanning more than 36 Indian and foreign languages, although she primarily sang in Hindi.

She's won countless accolades throughout her career, including Filmfare Best Female Playback Awards, the Bharat Ratna, India's highest civilian honour, plus the Dadasaheb Phalke Award, India's highest accolade in the field of cinema.

In 2007, the French government also made her an Officer of the National Order of the Legion of Honour, its highest order of merit.

The Lata Mangeshkar Award, a pan-Indian accolade for achievements in music, was instituted in her honour by her home state of Madhya Pradesh in 1989.

After her death, the Indian government announced two days of national mourning, with the national flag to fly at half-mast as a mark of respect.