Prashant Tamang, the singer and actor who rose to national fame after winning the third season of Indian Idol, died on Sunday at his home in New Delhi. He was 43.

Filmmaker Rajesh Ghatani, a long-time collaborator, confirmed Tamang’s death. Mahesh Sewa, a Darjeeling-based singer, said Tamang is believed to have suffered a cardiac arrest. He had been living in the capital in recent years.

Tamang, an Indian artist of Nepali heritage, became a household name in 2007 when he won the popular reality television contest, earning a devoted fan base in both India and Nepal. Over the years, he recorded numerous Nepali songs, many of which continue to enjoy strong appeal among listeners.

Alongside his music career, Tamang also worked in Nepali cinema. He starred in films such as ‘Gorkha Paltan’, ‘Pardeshi’ and its sequel ‘Pardeshi 2’. He had recently appeared in the second season of the web series ‘Paatal Lok’. A forthcoming film, ‘Battle of Galwan’, in which he reportedly features alongside Bollywood actor Salman Khan, has yet to be released. 

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Among his most recognised songs are ‘Man Sainli’, ‘Gorkha Paltan’ and ‘Asarai Mahinama’, tracks that remain popular across Nepali-speaking communities.

News of Tamang’s death has prompted an outpouring of grief from artists and fans, with tributes flooding social media platforms on Sunday.