PM condoles passing away of singer Mahendra Kapoor

New Delhi, Sept 28 : Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh has expressed sorrow over the passing away of playback singer Mahendra Kapoor.

In his condolence message, Dr. Singh said that the death of Mahendra Kapoor is an irreparable loss to millions of his fans.

"He is no more but his songs like "Mere Desh Ki Dharthi" will keep him alive in the heart of every Indian," he added.

Born in Amrisar in Punjab, Kapoor first came into prominence after he won a singing contest at the All India Youth Festival in the late 1950s.

He also sang some popular numbers of "Gumrah," "Humraaz" and "Waqt," which were composed by music director Ravi and picturised on Sunil Dutt during the late 1960s and 1970s.

Kapoor also rendered the most popular number, "Mere desh ki dharti sona ugle" in Manoj Kumar's "Upkar" as also "Bharat Ka rahnewala hoon" in "Purab Aur Paschim" and "Ab Ke baras" in "Kranti."

He also sang the title song of B.R Chopra's popular TV serial, "Mahabharat".

He received the Filmfare Award for his song "Chalo ek baar phir se" in Chopra's "Gumrah" in 1963 and also for "Neele gagan ke tale" from "Humraz".

ANI