Gangubai Hangal given state funeral Wednesday

A state police contingent reversed arms and offered a gun salute as the mortal remains of the 97-year-old legendary exponent of Kirana Gharana were consigned to the flames at Gangubai Gurukul Trust run by the state government in Hubli, 480 km from here.

Earlier, the body, kept in a glass casket, was taken in a flower-bedecked van through the main avenues of Hubli which were lined by hundreds of people.

Assembly speaker Jagadish Shettar and legislative council chairman Veeranna Mathikatti were among the political leaders who participated in the procession along with a large number of people of this commercial hub of north Karnataka.

The state government declared a two-day state mourning Tuesday and schools and colleges in the twin cities of Hubli-Dharwad were closed as a mark of respect to the vocalist.

Gangubai died Tuesday morning following cardiac and respiratory problems. The doyenne of the Kirana Gharana was awarded India's prestigious civilian honours of Padma Bhushan and Padma Vibhushan in 1971 and 2002, respectively.