The hills of Darjeeling and the Indian music fraternity are in mourning following the sudden demise of singer Prashant Tamang. The winner of Indian Idol's third season in 2007 died of a cardiac arrest at his home in Delhi on Sunday morning. He was 43 years old.
A Sudden and Tragic End
According to his family, Tamang felt unwell around 6 am on Sunday at his residence in Delhi's Janakpuri but was reluctant to seek medical help. He was later taken to a hospital where doctors declared him dead. His wife, Geeta Thapa, and their three-year-old daughter, Ariah Tamang, survive him.
His sister, Anupama Gurung, revealed that Tamang had been active until the very end. "He had gone to Dubai for a show and returned on December 27. He travelled to Arunachal Pradesh on January 7 and was back in Delhi the next day," she said. The siblings spoke over a video call on January 8, which turned out to be their last conversation. A day before his death, he was playing with his daughter and spending time with his family.
The family is now making arrangements to bring his mortal remains back to his hometown, Darjeeling, for the last rites. His team from the OTT series Paatal Lok, where he acted in the second season, is assisting with the logistics.
From Police Constable to National Icon
Born on January 4, 1983, in Toongsoong, Darjeeling, to Rupa and Madan Tamang, Prashant's life took a pivotal turn after his father's death in an accident. He took his father's place as a constable in the Kolkata Police. His innate musical talent soon led him to join the city police's orchestra.
His life changed forever in 2007 when he participated in and won the third season of Indian Idol. His victory was monumental, secured by an unprecedented 70 million audience votes. This was not just a personal triumph but a collective moment of pride for the Gorkha community in the hills.
A Victory That Reshaped Politics
Prashant Tamang's win on the national stage had profound socio-political repercussions in Darjeeling. The campaign for votes, spearheaded by then-GNLF leader Bimal Gurung, united the hills. Funds were raised and voting booths were set up across towns and villages.
His victory transformed him into a powerful cultural symbol. This momentum was later channeled into a renewed political demand for a separate Gorkhaland state. A stray derogatory comment about Gorkhas by a Delhi-based radio jockey after his win triggered violent protests, further intensifying the agitation.
Capitalizing on this massive public support, Bimal Gurung broke away from the GNLF to form the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM). Prashant's fan clubs were converted into GJM offices, effectively turning cultural enthusiasm into a potent political movement that dominated the hills' politics for years.
Beyond music, Tamang also built a career in acting. He made his film debut in the 2010 Nepali blockbuster Gorkha Paltan and recently earned acclaim for his role as the assassin Daniel Acho in Paatal Lok 2. He also had a role in the upcoming Salman Khan-starrer Battle of Galwan.
An Outpouring of Grief
Condolences poured in from across the political and cultural spectrum. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee mourned his "sudden and untimely" passing, noting his deep connections to Darjeeling and the Kolkata Police. BJP's Darjeeling MP, Raju Bista, highlighted how Tamang introduced Nepali music on a broad scale to India and the world.
The passing of Prashant Tamang marks the end of an era for his fans and for the people of Darjeeling, for whom he remained an enduring icon of aspiration and identity.
