Nirmala Mishra, popular for her songs in the Bengali and Odia film industry, died on Saturday, July 30. 

The 83-year-old suffered from a heart attack, according to NDTV. In 2015, she suffered from a brain stroke, following which she continued to struggle with other age-related illnesses. Her condition deteriorated last month and she had lost her voice.

Mishra is survived by her husband and son. 

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said reacted to the singer’s death, saying: “The void left in the musical sky by this falling star is irreparable. May her departed soul rest in peace. My deepest condolences to her family and well-wishers. Our hearts will forever be filled with her songs,” according to the Millenium post.

Nirmala Mishra sang over 350 Bengali songs and 450 Odia songs in her career. 

She was born on October 21, 1938, in Majilpur, a town in the South 24 Parganas district of West Bengal. Later, her family settled in Kolkata. Nirmala was raised in a family of singers. Her father Pandit Mohinimohan Mishra and elder brother Murarimohan Mishra were famous singers of their time. Her family was the recipients of the titles Pandit, Sangeet Ratna, and Sangitnayak awarded by the Kashi Sangit Samaj.  

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Her career started in the year 1960 with Balakrushna Das giving her the first chance to sing in an Odia movie named Shri Loknath. Later, she gained huge recognition and started singing in popular Odia movies like Adina Megha, Kaa, Malajanha, Abhinetree, and Stree. 

She was also an artist on All India Radio and a talented playback singer. Emon Ekta Jhinuk Khuje, O Tota Pakhi Re, Banglar Matite, and E Mon Mor Jani Na were some of her most popular Bengali songs. 

Along with Odia and Bengali songs she had also sung Assamese songs. Ki Naam di Matin was one of her most popular Assamese songs. 

Nirmala Mishra received various awards and recognitions. She had received the Sangeet Sudhakar Balakrushna Das award for her lifetime contribution to Odia music. The West Bengal government also conferred her with the ‘Sangeet Samman’, ‘Sangeet Mahasamman’ and ‘Banga Bibhushan’ awards.