Prashant, the man of melodious voice, breathed his last in Delhi on Sunday morning. Leaving millions of fans disappointed, he went on a path of no return.
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Singer Prashant Tamang won the hearts of millions of Nepali-speaking fans in the grand finale of the third season of the Indian TV reality show Indian Idol in 2007.
That day he was singing,
‘I am the son of a Gorkhali, my name is Gorkhe...’
Nepalis all over the world gave him high respect and love after listening to that song. After kissing the crown in the winning moment of the competition, everyone's eyes were happy when his mother put on a Dhaka cap. After that, Prashant became an even more beloved singer.
However, the beloved singer Prashant, who had a melodious voice, breathed his last in Delhi on Sunday morning, and left millions of fans disappointed and went on a path of no return.
His death from a heart attack at the age of 42 has left a void not only in Darjeeling, but also among Nepali speakers scattered around the world. ‘His death has plunged Darjeeling into deep mourning,’ said famous singer Daisy Baraili, ‘He has left Nepalis all over the world crying.’
He suffered a heart attack shortly after returning to the capital after completing a program in Arunachal Pradesh. He was declared dead by the doctors after being rushed to a hospital in Dwarka, Delhi. The first to receive the news of Prashant's death was Indian Idol runner-up Amit Pal. Prashant's mother-in-law called Amit in Dubai and said in tears, 'Your dear friend Prashant is no more.'
As soon as he heard the news, Amit wrote on his Instagram story, 'How can this be justice? Always keep smiling, my friend, this world will not be the same without you.' I am still not able to understand this... My brother, my friend, my companion, has gone to heaven... I can't believe I am writing this.
Prashant was born on January 4, 1983 in Darjeeling, West Bengal. He came from an ordinary family and after his father passed away at a young age, the responsibility of the family fell on his young shoulders. He was the eldest son of the family and had the financial and emotional support of his family.
From the slow mornings of the tea gardens to the playgrounds in the streets, Prashant's life was never ordinary. Carrying the responsibility of his family, he joined the Kolkata Police as a constable. While singing in the police band, he started leading himself towards a musical journey. After duty, the band practiced in the evenings, recording songs in a small room, all of this prepared him as a capable singer.
His life took a decisive turn after he auditioned for Indian Idol Season-3 in 2007. He was not alone when he stood on stage to sing. Crores of Nepali-speaking fans stood with him. He even brought unexpected waves to Darjeeling politics.
As the anger of the then Darjeeling administrator Subash Ghisingh for not making Prashant an idol grew, Ghisingh finally had to wash his hands of power from Darjeeling for almost two decades. In the same month, a new party called Gorkha Janmukti Morcha was born. A new leader named Bimal Gurung emerged in Darjeeling.
Which brought about the rise of the movement for a separate state of Gorkhaland in Darjeeling. ‘Ghising had to wash his hands of power because of Prashant’, recalls Nepali-speaking Gyanendra Aryal, who was involved in the campaign to make Prashant an idol, ‘Prasant’s arrival and Ghising’s departure happened at the same time.’
In the competition, with the love of millions of viewers and the praise of the judges, he finally won the title. Darjeeling distributed sweets of happiness, in the tea gardens, in the streets, in the schools, everywhere was filled with celebrations. Its offspring crossed the Mechi and reached Nepal. ‘The memory of us going around the market at midnight chanting slogans after Prashant won Idol is still fresh,’ says Rabin Pathak of Dhulabari, Jhapa, ‘I felt like he won.’
Prashant became a very busy celebrity after Indian Idol. He started singing and walking around in hundreds of stage programs. After becoming an Idol, he was invited by Nepali fans for the first time. There were grand concerts in Kathmandu, Dharan and Bhadrapur. Filmmaker Rajesh Ghatani, who managed the concert, says, ‘We were surprised to see Prashant’s craze at that time.’
After the prestige given by Idol, Prashant released many albums. His songs won the hearts of not only the Nepali community, but also Nepali speakers across India. His journey was not limited to singing. He also left a mark in the field of acting. He caught the attention of the audience with the Nepali film ‘Gorkha Paltan’, then his performance in the Indian web series Paatal Lok-2 and the Salman Khan-starrer Battle of Galwan gave him further recognition at the national/international level.
Many youths who grew up in Darjeeling now remember Prashant before they stood on stage. For him, music was not just a practice of vocals . It was the voice of the Nepali community, the mountains and the hilly identity . Filmmaker Rajesh Ghatani adds, ‘Today, the courage of Nepali artists to reach big reality shows is possible because of Prashant.’
Prashant was living with his wife Geeta Thapa and daughter Arya. They got married in Nagaland in 2011 .
Even after fame and professional success, Prashant was deeply devoted to his family . He always put his loved ones first and considered them the main source of strength and purpose in his life . He was also responsible in his relationship with his family. This responsible singer left not only his wife and daughter, but also millions of fans crying and disappeared forever.
