Kaumudi Munshi, The Nightingale Of Gujarat Passes Away At 93

Legendary singer Kaumudi Munshi passed away at the age of 93 due to COVID-19. The singer, also known as the ‘nightingale of Gujarat’ breathed her last at Somaiya Hospital in Sion, Mumbai. Tributes have poured in from various parts of the country after the news of her death broke out.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid his tribute to the late singer and wrote a message in Gujarati saying, “ I am saddened by the demise of Kaumudi Munshi, the leading singer of Gujarati Sugam Sangeet. Her (sic) contribution in popularizing Gujarati Sugam Sangeet will always be remembered by the music-loving generations…”

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According to her son Uday Mazumdar who is also a classical singer, she tested positive for COVID-19 recently and was then hospitalized following the diagnosis, reported by TOI. 

About Kaumudi Munshi

Singer and musician Kaumudi Munshi were born in Varanasi. She completed her education with an arts degree in music from Banaras Hindu University. She trained under the likes of Siddheshwari Devi and  Taj Ahmed Khan. After shifting to Mumbai, she got selected in an audition for All India Radio. This is also where she met and later married Ninu Mazumdar, a music director associated with All India Radio.

During the early stage of her career, Munshi sang mostly in Gujarati, gaining fame with songs like ‘Sachi re maari satre bhavani maa’, and ‘koi aghe aghe thi vai che’. The singer also sang Bhojpuri songs; for the 1963 movie Bidesiya she sang ‘Neek saiyan bin’ with renowned singer Geeta Dutt.

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Munshi is also known for her contribution to children's music, and wrote some of the songs herself. She also compiled a Gujarati album of children's songs that were sung by her students.

Munshi is survived by her son  Uday Mazumdar, and stepdaughters Meenal Patel and Sonal Shukla.

Image Credits: Ahmedabad Mirror

Arunima Sharma is an intern with SheThePeople.TV.