By Hanika Kashyap
Singer and actor Prashang Tamang, known for securing the title of ‘Indian Idol’ 3 winner, died on Sunday, January 11, after suffering a stroke. He was 43.
Speaking to PTI, Tamang’s close friend and singer, Mahesh Sewa, confirmed that he died at his New Delhi residence in Janak Puri. He said that Tamang passed away around 9 am due to cardiac arrest. The actor-singer was taken to a hospital. But he was declared dead on arrival. Sewa mentioned how the two friends spoke only a few days before the untimely death, and Tamang appeared “hale and hearty” at that time.
Sewa went on to add that Tamang’s body is still at the hospital, with the family deciding whether to perform the funeral in Delhi or Darjeeling.
Tamang’s death news first hit the internet when his friend Rajesh Ghatani wrote on Facebook.
Tamang was born on January 4, 1983, in Darjeeling. The Indian Idol winner comes from a Nepali-speaking Gorkha family. He lost his father at an early age. Later, Tamang joined the West Bengal Police after leaving school to take up his father’s post.
He later auditioned for the singing competition ‘Indian Idol’ in 2007 and was ultimately crowned the winner of the season. His victory hit close to the people of Darjeeling, Sikkim, and Nepal. In 2010, he debuted his first album, ‘Dhanyavaad,’ and began performing in India and abroad.
His career shift to acting was unpredictable. He was seen in Gorkha Paltan, a Nepali hit flick that released the same year as his album. He went on to be seen in movies like Angalo Yo Maya Ko, Kin Maya Ma, Nishani, Pardesi, and Kina Mayama.
One of his most notable works includes ‘Pataal Lok’ season 2, where he played the role of Daniel Lecho, a cold-blooded assassin. Interestingly, he will be next seen on the Indian screens for Battle of Galwan, a Salman Khan-starrer film. It will hit the theatres on April 17.
Many known personalities have paid tribute to Tamang, with West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee being one of them. Writing on X, she expressed her “sadness” and conveyed condolences to his family and close friends.