The body of renowned singer and Indian Idol Season 3 winner Prashant Tamang is being taken to Darjeeling from Bagdogra airport on Monday, a day after his death in New Delhi.

Tamang passed away on Sunday morning after suffering a heart attack. He was rushed to a hospital in Dwarka, New Delhi, where doctors declared him dead. He was 42.

A large number of well-wishers, fans, artistes and local residents gathered at Bagdogra airport on Monday morning to pay their last respects. After the tribute, his body was taken to Darjeeling in a vehicle.

Filmmaker Rajesh Ghatani, who is heading to Darjeeling to attend the funeral, said Tamang’s body will be kept for some time at the Information and Cultural Affairs Department under the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration, where the public will be allowed to pay tribute.

Tamang’s family and well-wishers had requested that his funeral be performed in Darjeeling, his birthplace. Following the request, GTA chief Anit Thapa took the initiative to bring his body from Delhi.

Born on January 4, 1983, in Darjeeling, Tamang rose to national fame after winning Indian Idol Season 3 in 2007. His death has left not only Darjeeling but Nepali-speaking communities around the world in mourning.

Singer Pramod Kharel said Tamang represented Nepali-speaking people across borders, adding that his success inspired a generation of singers to aim for national and international platforms.

After winning Indian Idol, Tamang released several albums and also made a mark as an actor. He appeared in the Nepali film ‘Gorkha Paltan’, the Indian web series ‘Paatal Lok’ Season 2, and Salman Khan’s film ‘Battle of Galwan’.