Padma Vibhushan awardee and noted classical singer Girija Devi passes away

Noted Hindustani classical singer Girija Devi has passed away. She was 88 and survived by a daughter. She breathed her last in a private hospital in Kolkata on Tuesday evening. Girija Devi was given the prestigious Padma Vibhushan award in 2016. Earlier she had received Padma Shri in 1972, Padma Bhushan in 1989

Girija Devi was a singer who followed the Seniya and Banaras Gharana.  Girija Devi one of the most well known exponent of Thumri, and was considered the queen of Thumri. Her death has silenced the music community across the country. 

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.

PM Modi also expressed his condolence on Twitter.

Saddened by demise of Girija Devi ji. Indian classical music has lost one of its most melodious voices. My thoughts are with her admirers.

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) October 24, 2017

Describing the death of Girija Devi as a "great loss to the music world", West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee expressed her deep grief. "Girija Devi's death is a great loss to the music world. We were honoured to confer her with Banga Bibhushan in 2015," Banerjee wrote on her Twitter handle 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. 

With PTI inputs