Veteran singer Mahendra Kapoor dead at 74

Mumbai, Sep 27 (UNI) Veteran playback singer Mahendra Kapoor, who was contemporary of Mohammad Rafi and Kishore Kumar, died here today after suffering a heart attack.

He was 74 and is survived by wife, three daughters and actor son Rohan.

Family sources said he was suffering from a kidney ailment and was undergoing dialysis. He had recovered from the ailment and was well.

The end came suddenly at 1930 hrs and he died in his sleep, the sources added.

The Maharashtra government had recently announced the Lata Mangeshkar award for his lifetime contribution in the field of playback music.

The funeral will take place tomorrow.

Mahendra Kapoor carved a niche for himself even though veterans like Mohammad Rafi, Mukesh and Kishore Kumar were at their peak.

Despite facing stiff competition from Rafi and Mukesh, Mahendra Kapoor lent voice to many melodious songs including 'Nile Gagan Ke Tale' and 'Tum Agar Sath Dene Ka Wada Karo', which are memorable even today.

He was also famous for his patriotic songs and had sung several Marathi songs as well.

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