In what marked the end of an era in India’s music industry, the mortal remains of legendary singer and recipient of the Bharat Ratna, Lata Mangeshkar were consigned to flames at a public funeral held amid full State honours at historic Shivaji Park in north-central Mumbai on Sunday evening in the presence of a host of dignitaries, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
After Modi landed in Mumbai and reached Shivaji Park, Lata’s younger brother Hridaynath Mangeshkar lit the funeral pyre amid chanting of hymns by priests. Mangeshkar’s family members including Lata’s sisters Meena, Asha, Usha, grandchildren, and other family members were present at a specially-created enclosure at the funeral venue. Ahead of the cremation, the Prime Minister met the family members of Lata and offered his condolences to them.
Lata’s was the second public funeral held at Shivaji Park after a gap of ten years. Earlier on November 18, 2012, Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray had been cremated at the same Shivaji Park.