Nitish condoles Bindhyabasini Devi's death

Patna, Apr 18 (UNI) Noted folk singer Bindhyabasini Devi died at her Kankarbagh residence here today. She was 86.

Ms Devi, who was awarded the Padma Shree in 1974 died following protracted illness.

Her last rites were peformed at the bank of Ganga river in Patna today. She is survived by her two sons and a daughter. She used to run a music institute--''Vindhya Kala Mandir'.

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar said the entire nation, particularly Bihar, suffered a great loss due to her death.

State Art and Culture Minister Janardan Singh Segriwal exhorted her disciples to fulfill her unfinished tasks. He said the government would try to publish her books which was still to see light of the day.

The Madhya Pradesh government had honoured her with ''Ahilyabai Samman'' in 1997.

UNI DH SP KD KN2239