Distinguished classical singer and Padma Vibhushan awardee Girija Devi passed away on 24th Oct 2017 evening at a hospital in Kolkata following a cardiac arrest.
Girija was 88, and is survived by a daughter.
Fondly called Appa ji, the queen of Thumri was taken to the city's BM Birla Heart Research Centre on Tuesday afternoon with cardiovascular ailments.
A legendary singer of the "Benaras gharana" had received Padma Shri in 1972, Padma Bhushan in 1989 and the Padma Vibhushan in 2016.
Known as the "thumri queen", Girija Devi popularised the genre of semi-classical Indian music. She was conferred with all three Padma awards, and was honoured with the Padma Vibhushan in 2016.
Tributes from stalwarts in the Indian music industry began pouring in soon after news of the singer's demise broke.
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.
