Gangubai Hangal (97), renowned hindustani vocalist, died early this morning.

She was undergoing treatment for cardiac ailment in a private hospital in Hubli, where she breathed her last at 7.10 am today.
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Gangubai, a classical singer of the Kirana Gharana, was bornu00a0in Dharwad to Chikkurao Nadiger, an agriculturist and Ambabai, a celebrated vocalist of Carnatic music.u00a0She initially learned classical music from Krishnacharya and Dattopant Desaiu00a0before training under Sawai Gandharva.u00a0
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A very humble person, Gangubai was in a class of her own and putu00a0Indian classical music on the world map.u00a0Sheu00a0has been honouredu00a0with theu00a0Karnataka Sangeet Nritya Academy Award (1962), Padma Bhushan (1971), Sangeet Natak Akademi Award (1973) and the Padma Vibhushan (2002)

Her autobiography is titled Nanna Badukina Haadu (The Song Of My Life).

Mano Murthy, a music director, told a local TV channel her passing away is "a sad loss to all in the music world.u00a0No one can match up to her greatness, at least not in this era."