December 29th 2024.
The year 2024 will be remembered in history for bidding farewell to some of the most remarkable individuals who have left an indelible mark in their respective fields. From former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to Zakir Hussain, Ratan Tata, Ameen Sayani, Shyam Benegal, Fali S. Nariman, Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee, and A. Ramachandran, each one was a luminary in their own right.
The losses were not limited to any one particular field, as stalwarts from politics, business, law, and economics also bid their final goodbye. Some of the prominent names include Communist leaders Sitaram Yechury and Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee, businessman-philanthropist Ratan Tata, legal icons Fali S. Nariman and A.G. Noorani, and renowned economist Bibek Debroy.
However, the year ended on a somber note with the passing of one of India's tallest leaders and the architect of economic reforms, former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, on December 26. He will always be remembered for his instrumental role in bringing about policies that helped the nation overcome the economic crisis of the 1990s.
The passing of Ratan Tata was another major loss that created an irreplaceable void in the world of business. As the former chairman of the Tata Group, he took the salt-to-software conglomerate to new heights, expanding its global reach.
The political arena also mourned the loss of prominent leaders, including Sushil Kumar Modi, Natwar Singh, Om Prakash Chautala, and S.M. Krishna, who all breathed their last in 2024.
The year was also a sorrowful one for the world of performing arts, as we bid farewell to renowned singers Pankaj Udhas, Prabha Atre, and Ustad Rashid Khan, Bharatanatyam dancer Yamini Krishnamurthy, and tabla maestro Zakir Hussain, leaving behind rich legacies that will continue to inspire generations.
The year began with the loss of classical vocalist Rashid Khan in January. He was known for his critically acclaimed and commercially successful songs like "Aaoge Jab Tum" from "Jab We Met" and "Bhor Bhayo" from "Morning Walk".
The world also mourned the death of legendary classical singer Prabha Atre, one of the oldest practitioners of Kirana Gharana. She had exceptional command over various musical genres, including khyal, thumri, dadra, and ghazal.
Pankaj Udhas, who was known for his timeless ghazals, popularized the genre with songs like "Chandi Jaisa Rang Hai Tera", "Phir Hath Mein Sharab Hai", and "Ahista". His voice also added to the charm of many Hindi film songs.
Yamini Krishnamurthy, who excelled in Bharatanatyam, Kuchipudi, Carnatic vocals, and the veena, is credited for popularizing Bharatanatyam in North India. She received numerous prestigious awards for her contributions to the performing arts.
The nation also lost one of the most important artistes of his generation with the passing of Zakir Hussain. Following in the footsteps of his father Alla Rakha, he not only became a household name but also popularized the tabla globally and earned four Grammy awards in his career.
Another towering figure in the field of music, Sharda Sinha, also passed away in 2024. She was credited for popularizing Bhojpuri and Maithili folk music and became the voice of Chhath Puja. She also added her unique touch to many Hindi film songs.
The literary world also bid goodbye to notable names like poet Munawwar Rana, Keki N Daruwalla, Usha Kiran Khan, Surjit Patar, and Malti Joshi. Rana, who wrote in Awadhi and Urdu, made poetry accessible to audiences who were not familiar with Persian and Arabic vocabulary. He was also known for his political views that were often contrary to popular opinion.
The death of chef Imtiaz Qureshi, who revived the "dum pukht" cooking tradition, was a shock to the culinary world. He was a pioneer in Awadhi cuisine and popularized and invented dishes like "dal bukhara", "dum pukht biryani", "kakori kebab", "garlic kheer", and "warqi paratha".
Another pioneer in his field, Hanif Kureshi, took art to public places, revolutionizing the street art movement. He was the driving force behind several public art projects, including the Lodhi Art District in Delhi, the Sassoon Dock art project in Mumbai, and the Bangalore Metro.
The film and fashion world also bid farewell to some of its brightest stars, including Shyam Benegal and Kumar Shahani, two of the most prominent figures in parallel Indian cinema. They were remembered for their cinematic masterpieces like Shahani's "Maya Darpan" and "Kasba" and Benegal's "Ankur" and "Manthan".
Renowned Indian fashion designer Rohit Bal, who was one of the pioneers of the industry, also passed away in 2024. The film and entertainment world also faced significant losses with the passing of director Sangeeth Sivan and actors Rituraj Singh and Atul Parchure.
In the realm of visual and performing arts, the year saw the loss of iconic painter A. Ramachandran and legendary radio presenter Ameen Sayani, whose voice became synonymous with public broadcasting in India. They both left behind a cherished legacy that will be remembered by millions.
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