Amber Gurung, the legendary musician and the composer of Nepal's National anthem, passed away at the Grande International Hospital, in Dhapasi, in early hours on Tuesday, the hospital confirmed in a statement.

Gurung, 78, had long been suffering from diabetes and Parkinson's disease.

After undergoing a treatment at the Medanta Hospital in New Delhi, Gurung had returned to Nepal on March 30 this year, before being admitted to the Grande Hospital on May 30.

Gurung had composed, along with the National Anthem Sayaun Thunga Fulka Hami, more than a 1,000 songs, including the era-defining numbers Nau Lakhe Tara and Rato Ra Chandra Surya. Gurung was also a lyricist and singer. Born (in 1938) and raised in Darjeeling, India, Gurung also authored three books of lyrics and memoirs—Samaalera Raakha (1969), Akcharkaa Awajharu (2003), and an anthology of essays and memoirs, Kahaa Gae Ti Dinharu(2006).

Gurung’s body will be kept at Academy Hall in Kamaladi before being taken to Pashupati Aryaghat for cremation.