Singer Sandhya Mukhopadhyay who refused Padma Shri Passes away

While the music fraternity is still mourning the demise of Lala Mangeshkar, on Tuesday evening came yet another tragic news. Iconic Bengali singer who last month refused Padma Shri award from central government breathed her last at a Kolkata hospital due to cardiac arrest.
Since last week the veteran singer, diagnosed with COVID-19, was in critical condition, said the hospital where she was undergoing treatment.She had ischemic heart disease and had to put on oxygen support. Due to her irregular heart rhythm, Sandhya was on medicines, and also was given medication to keep up her blood pressure. However, for the last few days she was suffering from multi-organ dysfunction.
She suffered a massic heart attack earlier in the day and the medical team treating her tried their best to revive her but they couldn't save the iconic singer.

Mukhopadhyay, who had rejected the Padma Shri award ahead of Republic Day, was admitted to SSKM Hospital as her health condition deteriorated after she fell in the bathroom of her residence. She had a left femur bone fracture along with several other health-related issues and was being treated at a private hospital.
Well-known as a stalwart in classical and semi-classical music, Sandhya Mukhopadhyay had worked with so many renowned music directors including SD Burman, Madan Mohan, Naushad, Anil Biswas and Salil Chaudhury. She had also won the National Award for Best Female Playback Singer in 1970 for the Bengali cult classics 'Jay Jayanti' and 'Nishi Padma'.
Last month the veteran singer made headlines when she turned down the Padma Shri honour when a central government official reached out to her over the telephone ahead of Republic Day. She had said with a singing career of eight decades, being recognized for Padma Shri at the 90 is demeaning for a singer of her stature and the award is more deserving for junior artists.