Famous Thumri singer Girija Devi died in Kolkata due to cardiac arrest. She was 88. She was awarded the Padma Vibhushan in 2016. Considered the queen of Thumri and fondly called Appa ji, Girija Devi was taken to the city's BM Birla Heart Research Centre yesterday in the afternoon with cardiovascular ailments.

"Saddened by demise of Girija Devi ji. Indian classical music has lost one of its most melodious voices. My thoughts are with her admirers", PM Modi tweeted offering his condolences.

Bollywood singer Lata Mangeshkar tweeted, "Mahan shastriya aur thumri gayika Girija Devi ji hamare bich nahi rahi ye sunke mujhe bahut dukh hua.Hamare unke bahut acche sambandh the."

Girija Devi was born in a Zamindar family in a small village near Varanasi on May 8, 1928 and started singing at a very early age.