The demise of noted vocalist Girija Devi will create a deep void in Indian classical music, her associates and admirers said.
"Seniormost artist of Benaras Gharanas, Bidushi Girija Devi, is no more. All Indian classical music artists will miss her," classical instrumentalist Pt Debojyoti Bose, who was close to her, said.
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.
Governor Keshari Nath Tripathi also expressed his condolences at the sudden demise of Devi.
Ustad Rashid Khan recalled his association with Girija Devi, the legendary exponent of Thumri and other forms of Hindustan classical music.
Khan said he had accompanied the artist during tours in the country as well as abroad. "I knew her since my childhood days and she was a mother figure to me," he said.
Devi, who was the classical singer of the Seniya and Benaras gharanas, had received Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan, Padma Vibhushan, Sangeet Natak Akademi awards among many.
She took lessons in Khayal and Tappa from vocalist and sarangi player Sarju Prasad Misra at the age of five.
Considered as the queen of Thumri and fondly called Appa ji, the legendary singer of the "Benaras gharana" had received Padma Shri in 1972, Padma Bhushan in 1989 and the Padma Vibhushan in 2016.
