Classical musician, singer and teacher Gurudev Kamat, who lent his voice to over 300 songs across Nepali, Hindi and Maithili languages, composed over a dozen numbers and served as a guru to thousands of apprentices, died at his residence in Pokharbhinda of Lakshampur Patari Municipality-2, Siraha in the wee hours of Thursday. He was 69.

Kamat was battling kidney-related ailments for a long time. Born in 1955 in Pokharbhinda, Siraha, Kamat had been living in Kathmandu for the past 40 years. He returned to his birthplace a month ago as he couldn’t afford treatment in the capital city. He had been undergoing dialysis at his home in Siraha.

Kamat received his Master’s degree in classical music in India and returned to Nepal in 2046 BS. Three years later, he won a singing competition organised by Radio Nepal.

Over his decades-long career, Kamat has been conferred with scores of awards including the Prabal Janasewa Shree, one of Nepal’s highest civilian awards, Mithila Ratna and Madhesh Ratna.

Later in his life, he was operating a music school, Gurukul Sangeet Pathshala, in Kathmandu.

Among his most well-regarded songs are Yaad Piya Ki Aaye, Timi Nai Bhana, Prem ko Nasha and Nishthuri Nishthuri Nishthuri.

Among his thousands of students are veteran lyricist Krishna Hari Baral and acclaimed contemporary Nepali singers like Pramod Kharel, Santosh Sanu, Prabisha Adhikari, Milan Amatya, and Anju Panta, among others.

Kamat is survived by his wife, a daughter and three sons.