Prashant Tamang, the singer who became a household name after winning the third season of Indian Idol, passed away on Sunday (January 11, 2026) morning. He was 43 years old. Reports from Nepal News and other regional outlets state that Tamang suffered a sudden cardiac arrest at his home in New Delhi.
Music composer and film producer Rajesh Ghatani, a close friend of the singer, confirmed the news. According to local reports, Tamang was rushed to a hospital in Dwarka, but doctors declared him dead shortly after arrival. The singer had recently returned to the capital after a live performance in Arunachal Pradesh and had reportedly shown no prior signs of illness.
The rise of a Gorkha icon
Born on January 4, 1983, in Darjeeling, West Bengal, Prashant Tamang’s life was a classic story of overcoming the odds. Following the death of his father, Madan Tamang, in an accident, Prashant took over his father’s role as a constable in the Kolkata Police. It was there, while singing for the police orchestra, that his colleagues encouraged him to audition for Indian Idol in 2007.
His journey on the show became a massive movement. Fans from the Darjeeling hills, Sikkim, and Nepal voted in record numbers, eventually helping him win the title with 70 million votes. His victory was more than just a musical win; it was a moment of immense pride for the Gorkha community across the globe.
A star in music and cinema
After winning the reality show, Tamang launched his debut album, Dhanyavad, which featured both Hindi and Nepali tracks. He quickly transitioned into acting, becoming a superstar in the Nepali film industry. He starred in several blockbusters, including Gorkha Paltan (2010), Nishani (2014), and Pardesi (2015).
More recently, he found success in the Indian OTT space. He played the role of a sniper named Daniel Acho in the second season of the hit series Paatal Lok. He was also expected to appear in the upcoming film Battle of Galwan, starring Salman Khan.
Tributes pour in
The news of his sudden passing has sent shockwaves through the music world. Amit Paul, who was the runner-up of Indian Idol 3 and a close friend of Tamang, shared an emotional post on Instagram, expressing his disbelief. “How’s it even fair!!! Keep smiling Dosti!!! The world won’t be the same without you!!! I still cannot process this. My brother has left for the heavenly abode,” he wrote.
Raju Bista, Member of Parliament from Darjeeling and National Spokesperson of BJP, said, “The untimely demise of Prashant Tamang, the popular singer and actor, has left the Gorkha community, along with the entire world of arts and music, stunned and heartbroken.”
Nanda Kirati Dewan, General Secretary of the Bharatiya Gorkha Parisangh (Assam State), mourned the loss through posts on X and Facebook. Dewan called the news an “irreparable loss,” and stressed how Prashant Tamang helped Gorkha performers gain recognition across India and abroad. – check this post