Louie Anderson, an Emmy winning comedian, dies at 68

The Emmy-winning comedian, actor, and game show host Louie Anderson passed away at the age of 68 after battling cancer. He was undergoing treatment after he was diagnosed with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. Anderson was one of America’s most beloved comedians.

Gaspard Ulliel, Moon Knight actor, dies at 37 after ski accident

Actor Gaspard Ulliel who was cast as the character of Anton Mogart in Moon Knight died at the age of 37 in an incident that happened following a ski incident. Moon Knight is an upcoming Marvel mini-series. Ulliel was hospitalized after suffering a head injury and was not able to recover. He was transported by helicopter to the hospital after a collision on the slopes in the Savoie region. The Cesar-winning actor collided with another skier and suffered serious brain trauma. Local authorities have also opened an investigation into the accident. Gaspard Ulliel was best known for portraying the young Hannibal Lector in the Hannibal Rising. He was also the face of the Chanel fragrance Bleu de Chanel. Ulliel was nominated for a Ceasar Award for Most Promising Actor in 2002 and 2003.

Cartoonist Narayan Debnath, creator of ‘Bantul The Great’, ‘Handa Bhonda’, passes away at 97

Cartoonist Narayan Debnath, the creator of popular Bengali comic characters ‘Nonte Phonte’, ‘Bantul The Great’, ‘Handa Bhonda’, passed away in Kolkata on January 18, 2022, at the age of 97. The hospital where he undergoing treatment informed that he died after a prolonged illness. Debnath was admitted to the private hospital On December 24, 2021, and was on ventilator support.

Narayan Debnath was awarded Padma Shree in 2021. West Bengal Government had handed over him the country’s fourth-highest civilian award while he was undergoing treatment. Earlier, the beloved cartoonist was also awarded Bangabibhsuan in 2013 as well as the Sahitya Akademi Award.

Legendary Kathak dancer Pandit Birju Maharaj passes away at 83

Pandit Birju Maharaj, a legendary Kathak maestro, passed away on January 17, 2022, at the age of 83. Reportedly, Birju Maharaj suffered a heart attack in the wee hours of Monday. The unfortunate news of his demise was also shared by his grandson Swaransh Mishra on his social media.

Pandit Birju Maharaj, apart from being a renowned Kathak Dancer, was also a well-known classical singer and had lent his voice to various films. Birju Maharaj was also honoured by the Government of India with the country’s second-highest Civilian Award, Padma Vibhushan in 1986 for his remarkable contribution.

Prime Minister Modi, via Twitter, paid his condolences to the Kathak maestro and said that his death is an ‘irreparable loss’ to the entire art world.

Social Activist Shanti Devi passes away at 88

Padma Shree awardee and noted social activist Shanti Devi passed away at the age of 88 in Odisha. She complained of chest pain and became unconscious. Shanti Devi was taken to the hospital where she was declared dead upon arrival. Shanti Devi is known for her work on the development and education of tribal girls. She had also set up an ashram for the leprosy patients in the Rayagada district. Shanti Devi, for the most part of her life, worked for the all-around development of the tribal girl children, including the rehabilitation, education and vocational training of the orphans and destitute children. President Ram Nath Kovind, Prime Minister Modi as well as other personalities condoled her demise and prayed for her departed soul.

Veteran NDTV Journalist Kamal Khan passes away at 61

Kamal Khan, veteran NDTV Journalist and a recipient of the Ramnath Goenka Award passed away on January 14, 2022, at the age of 61 after suffering a heart attack. Kamal Khan is survived by his wife, Ruchi, and their son, Aman.

Several members of the media fraternity and politicians paid their tributes to Kamal Khan. Congress leader and former journalist Supriya Shrinate offered her condolences via Twitter and called Khan a rock-solid journalist. Journalist Rajdeep Sardesai paid tribute to Journalist Kamal Khan. He remembered Khan as NDTV’s fine reporter from Lucknow.

Legendary Music Composer Saroj Pattnayak passes away at 81

The legendary lyricist and music composer Saroj Pattnayak passed away on January 13, 2022, at the age of 81. He was bedridden for the last one year. Saroj Patnaik was born on June 2, 1940, in Odisha and was interested in music since childhood. He had also learned to play harmonium himself. Patnaik later became an acclaimed lyricist and a music director for Doordarshan and Akashwani. Saroj Patnaik had started his career in 1977 as a music composer in Odia super hit film ‘Abhiman’. Before that, he was working as a renowned lyricist at Doordarshan and Akashwani.

Veteran Director Peter Bogdanovich passes away

Oscar-nominated Hollywood Director Peter Bogdanovich passed away at the age of 82 on January 7, 2022. Bogdanovich had served as a bridge between Old Hollywood and new Hollywood. The legendary director had directed the film the 1971 black and white classic, 'Last Picture Show', which had received 8 Oscar nominations including for best director. He has also directed movies such as 'Mask', 'At Long Last Love' and 'Daisy Miller.'

Assam Rifles veteran who escorted 14th Dalai Lama on his arrival in India passes away

Chandra Das, the Assam Rifles veteran, who had received and escorted the 14th Dalai Lama on his arrival in India in 1959 passed away on December 28, 2021. He was 83. Dalai Lama had fled Tibet in 1959 at the age of 22 and crossed the border on March 30, 1959 with the help of the CIA's Special Activities Division. He had arrived at Tezpur in Assam. He was escorted into India by a seven-member Assam Rifles team, which comprised 23-year-old Naren Chandra Das.

Art of Living program director Rishi Nityapragya passes away

Rishi Nityapragya, the Director of Programs in the Art of Living Foundation, passed away due to COVID-19 at the age of 58. He was hospitalized since December 13 after testing positive for COVID. Nityapragya was a chemical engineer with a corporate career in the past. He was also a close aid of spiritual guru and the founder of Art of Living Sri Sri Ravi Shankar. The Art of Living Foundation in a statement said that Nityapragya served the society selflessly for decades. He also inspired thousands of people through his soulful and devotional satsangs.