<p>The 96-year-old legend died following cardiac and respiratory problems at Hubli town, about 480 km from here.<br /> Expressing sadness over the death, noted playwright U.R. Ananthamurthy said: "She belonged to the Kirana gharana, and was a unique singer. Her dignity and grace were unsurpassed. Not only was she very melodious, but her hold over the grammar and structure of classical music was of superior nature." <br /> "I don't think she has died, but has only stopped crooning in her melodious voice. Till recently she was singing, in spite of her old age and ill health. I don't think, anybody like her will be ever born again. She was a star in the art fraternity," the Jnanpith award winner mourned.<br /> Echoing Ananthamurthy, noted playwright and actor Girish Karnad expressed sadness at the death of the legend, who had mesmerized music lovers for over six decades.<br /> "She was a maestro and will be always be remembered as a genius. The art fraternity in Karnataka and across the world will miss the singer and her singing style," lamented Karnad.<br /> Hangal was unwell for the past one month and was admitted at Lifeline Emergency Care Centre in Hubli on Thursday, family sources said.<br /> She died at 7.10 a.m. at the hospital. Close family members, including her three sons and two daughters, were by her side when she died.<br /> The doyen of the Kirana Gharana was awarded India's prestigious civilian honours of Padma Bhushan and Padma Vibhushan in 1971 and 2002, respectively.<br /> "She was an inspiration for all of us. The music world will be poorer now, after the death of the icon," said C. Aswath, veteran Kannada music composer.<br /> "I have no words to express my sadness. She was a guide and guru for all singers and music composers across Karnataka. I am extremely saddened by Hangal's death," said Kannada singer Pallavi.</p>
<p>The 96-year-old legend died following cardiac and respiratory problems at Hubli town, about 480 km from here.<br /> Expressing sadness over the death, noted playwright U.R. Ananthamurthy said: "She belonged to the Kirana gharana, and was a unique singer. Her dignity and grace were unsurpassed. Not only was she very melodious, but her hold over the grammar and structure of classical music was of superior nature." <br /> "I don't think she has died, but has only stopped crooning in her melodious voice. Till recently she was singing, in spite of her old age and ill health. I don't think, anybody like her will be ever born again. She was a star in the art fraternity," the Jnanpith award winner mourned.<br /> Echoing Ananthamurthy, noted playwright and actor Girish Karnad expressed sadness at the death of the legend, who had mesmerized music lovers for over six decades.<br /> "She was a maestro and will be always be remembered as a genius. The art fraternity in Karnataka and across the world will miss the singer and her singing style," lamented Karnad.<br /> Hangal was unwell for the past one month and was admitted at Lifeline Emergency Care Centre in Hubli on Thursday, family sources said.<br /> She died at 7.10 a.m. at the hospital. Close family members, including her three sons and two daughters, were by her side when she died.<br /> The doyen of the Kirana Gharana was awarded India's prestigious civilian honours of Padma Bhushan and Padma Vibhushan in 1971 and 2002, respectively.<br /> "She was an inspiration for all of us. The music world will be poorer now, after the death of the icon," said C. Aswath, veteran Kannada music composer.<br /> "I have no words to express my sadness. She was a guide and guru for all singers and music composers across Karnataka. I am extremely saddened by Hangal's death," said Kannada singer Pallavi.</p>