Actor-singer, Indian Idol Season 3 winner Prashant Tamang passes away at 43

KOLKATA: Actor-singer and winner of Indian Idol Season 3 in 2007, Prashant Tamang passed away at the age of 43 on Sunday.Prashant hailed from the Darjeeling hills and was once associated with the Kolkata Police. West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee posted on X, "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 flooded social media, as many expressed shock over the singer’s sudden demise.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 Darjeeling in West Bengal, Prashant Tamang rose to fame as the winner of Indian Idol Season 3. Alongside his music career, he ventured into acting, notably appearing in Paatal Lok Season 2. He was also set to feature in Salman Khan’s upcoming film, Battle of Galwan.(With agency inputs)