New Delhi, 11 Jan

Prashant Tamang, who rose to fame as the winner of ‘Indian Idol 3’ and was praised for his turn as a cold-blooded assassin in ‘Paatal Lok 2’, died here on Sunday following a cardiac arrest. He was 43.

Tamang’s close friend, singer Mahesh Sewa, told PTI that the singer-actor died at his residence in Janak Puri.

"He (Tamang) passed away this morning around 9am due to cardiac arrest at his residence in Delhi. He was taken to the hospital by his family but the doctors declared him dead on arrival. I'm shocked by his untimely demise. I spoke to him a few days ago and he was hale and hearty," he said.

"His body is still at the hospital. The family is yet to decide whether to perform the funeral in Delhi or Darjeeling," he added.

The news of Tamang’s death was first shared by another friend Rajesh Ghatani on social media.

“My heart is heavy while writing this very sad news!! May you live in Baikuntha !! Heartfelt tribute Prashant brother,” Ghatani wrote on Facebook.

Tamang was born on 4 January, 1983, in Darjeeling into a Nepali-speaking Gorkha family. His father served with the West Bengal Police and died while in service, after which Tamang left school to take up his father’s post.

Encouraged by friends, he auditioned for the reality singing show ‘Indian Idol’ in 2007, where he went on to win the competition. Tamang’s victory triggered unprecedented celebrations across the Darjeeling hills, Sikkim and parts of Nepal.

He then came out with his first album “Dhanyavaad” in 2010 and regularly performed at concerts in India and overseas.

Extending condolences, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee in a post on X said, "Saddened by the sudden and untimely demise today of Prashant Tamang, the popular singer of ' Indian Idol' fame and an artist of national renown. His roots in our Darjeeling hills and one-time association with Kolkata Police made him particularly dear to us in Bengal. I convey my condolences to his family, friends, and countless followers."

Tributes and condolences have been pouring in across social media, with many expressing shock over the singer's sudden passing.

Fellow artist Amit Paul took to his Instagram story and wrote, "How's it even fair!!! Keep smiling Dosti!!! The world won't be the same without you!!! I still cannot process this... My brother, my friend, my dosti @prashanttamangofficial has left for the heavenly abode... I can't believe I'm having to write this."

BJP MP Raju Bista from Darjeeling also reacted to the news and shared a lengthy tribute to the late singer.

"The untimely demise of Prashant Tamang, the popular singer and actor who shone brightly on the stage of Indian Idol across the entire Hindi and Nepali music worlds, has left the entire realm of art and music, including Hindi and Nepali, stunned and deeply heartbroken," a part of his statement read.

Bista, while remembering his journey in the field of music and acting, added, "Having won "Indian Idol 2007," Prashant Tamang Ji introduced Nepali songs and music on a broad scale not only to the Gorkhas of India but to the world at large, etching his name among those luminaries who made the talents of Gorkhas renowned on the global stage in the field of music. After clinching the Indian Idol title, he did not confine himself solely to the field of music but entered the world of acting alongside singing in the Nepali blockbuster film 'Gorkha Paltan,' and thereafter worked in dozens of films."

Nagaland Minister Temjen Imna Along also paid his homage, remembering Tamang as his "dear friend."

Hailing from West Bengal's Darjeeling, Prashant Tamang was the winner of Indian Idol Season 3. Besides cementing his position in music, he also entered acting, famously appearing in 'Paatal Lok Season 2'.

He is also expected to be a part of Salman Khan's upcoming film, 'Battle of Galwan'.