Dame Maggie Smith, one of Britain’s most celebrated actresses, renowned for her illustrious career spanning stage and screen, has passed away at the age of 89. Known for iconic roles in “Harry Potter” as Professor McGonagall and the beloved series “Downton Abbey,” Smith’s death was announced by her sons in a statement shared by their publicist Clair Dobbs.

“It is with great sadness we have to announce the death of Dame Maggie Smith. She passed away peacefully in hospital early this morning, Friday 27th September. An intensely private person, she was with friends and family at the end,” the statement said. “She leaves behind two sons and five loving grandchildren who are devastated by the loss of their extraordinary mother and grandmother. We would like to take this opportunity to thank the wonderful staff at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital for their care and unstinting kindness during her final days.”

In 1964, Maggie Smith captivated audiences as Desdemona alongside Laurence Olivier’s Othello, later reprising the role in the 1965 film adaptation. Her powerful performance in *The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie* (1969), where she played an unconventional schoolteacher, earned her the Academy Award for Best Actress. Smith’s remarkable talent was recognized again in 1978 when she won her second Academy Award, this time for Best Supporting Actress, for her role in Neil Simon’s *California Suite*.

Throughout her career, Smith garnered numerous accolades, including British Academy Film Awards for her roles in *A Room with a View* (1985) and *The Lonely Passion of Judith Hearne* (1987). In 1990, she was made a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire, solidifying her status as Dame Maggie Smith.

Despite her early successes, some of Smith’s most celebrated roles came later in life. In 1999, she starred in Franco Zeffirelli’s *Tea with Mussolini*, a story set against the backdrop of fascist Italy, earning critical acclaim.

Her legacy, however, may be most closely tied to her portrayal of Professor Minerva McGonagall in *Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone* (2001), a role that introduced her to a new generation of fans. Smith continued to bring the character to life across several *Harry Potter* sequels, becoming a beloved figure in the series for her portrayal of the strict yet kind-hearted witchcraft teacher.

For music enthusiasts around the country, today is an unpleasant day. On Monday, renowned playback and ghazal singer Pankaj Udhas passed away. He was seventy-two. The Udhas family announced on Monday that a protracted illness was the cause of his death. The singer has given his fans many timeless songs that will live on in his memory over the course of his many years in the music business. These are a few of his most well-known tracks.

Pankaj Udhas was born in Jetpur, Gujarat, on May 17, 1951. In 1980, he made his music debut with the ghazal album Aahat. That was only the start of a long string of hits to come. His best-selling albums were Mukarar (1981), Tarrannum (1982), Mehfil (1983), Nayaab (1985), and Aafreen (1986). He additionally gave a live performance at the Royal Albert Hall in 1984. Following his fame as a ghazal singer, he tried his hand at playback vocals with the Mahesh Bhatt movie Naam. 

Ahista

Composed by Khayyam and written by Bashar Nawaz, this soulful song is taken from the album The Legend Forever – Pankaj Udhas – Vol. 1. The song tells the story of a loving relationship, and Udhas’s calming voice gives the moving lyrics more nuance and feeling. This is one of Pankaj Udhas’ greatest songs because it was among the first ghazals we all heard when we were young.

Na Kajre Ki Dhar

This Bollywood musical of our dreams features a duet between Pankaj Udhas and Sadhana Sargam. The song, which was composed by Viju Shah, exquisitely captures the charm and beauty of the beloved’s eyes. The lyrics of Indeevar, a romantic ballad that translates to “The Line of Kohl,” and Pankaj Udhas’ voice have kept the song alive in Indian hearts for decades.

Chandi Jaisa Rang

Bollywood loves to combine its love songs with precious metals like gold and silver, speaking of a lover’s beauty and tranquilly. To capture the spirit, though, requires soulful lyrics, a well-crafted song, and—above all—a talented vocalist. One of Pankaj Udhas’ greatest songs, it describes the ethereal nature of love and a lover.

Thodi Thodi Karo Piya

Thodi Thodi is a wonderful interpretation of melancholy and longing and is an underappreciated gem in Pankaj Udhas’ repertoire. This song, which has been passed down through the centuries, is especially nostalgic because of its ageless interpretation of love and understanding. This song features the singer’s voice as rich and complex as ever.

Ek Taraf Uska Ghar

This song, which is among Pankaj Udhas’ greatest, is about longing and unrequited love. The song “On One Side is Her Home,” written by Qateel Shifai and composed by Anu Malik, expresses the longing and suffering of a lover who is parted from their beloved. Udhas’s performance of longing was unparalleled and added a totally unique touch to every song.

The death of the 28-year-old Swedish DJ and producer marks a tragic end to an illustrious career in the music industry, worldwide. Some of his tracks have created revolutionary club anthems and have been the hot favourite of today’s generation. His tracks have created a sensation, beyond limits

Text Credits: Shibul Pavithran 

Swedish superstar Tim Bergling, aka Avicci, has died, according to a statement from his publicist, who says the 28-year-old musician was found dead in Muscat, Oman on Friday afternoon. Avicii retired from live performing due to health reasons, having suffered from acute pancreatitis owing, in part, to excessive drinking. In 2014, his gallbladder and appendix had been removed and had been hospitalized twice in the preceding two years for acute pancreatitis.

Avicii will always be one of the most recognizable and omnipotent electronic dance producers the genre has ever seen. Leaving behind the of chart-topping music with collaborators such as Coldplay’s Chris Martin, Madonna, and Green Day frontman Billie Joe Armstrong, he has a long list. Avicci began his music career in 2009 as a producer and went on to achieve international stardom, garnering up to the Top 10s on the Billboard Hot 100 and Billboard Dance/Electronic Chart. He was also nominated for Grammy Awards in 2012 and 2013 for his songs “Sunshine” with David Guetta and “Levels.” He won the American Music Award for favorite electronic dance music artist in 2013.

Some of the best Tracks by Avicii were:

Levels: The track released in 2011 was Avicii’s breakout hit. It reached the Top Ten in 15 countries. “Levels” samples Etta James’ “Something’s Got a Hold on Me” and includes her vocals. The video currently has over 300 million views on YouTube. This song that impressed Pretty Lights and Flo Rida so much that they ended up using it in their own music eventually. Levels also got Avicii a Grammy nomination.

I Could Be The One (Nicktim): Avicii originally performed this track a year before it was released in 2012. The song was a collaboration with Dutch DJ and record producer Nicky Romero. Its hook particularly hit a chord with the youth as it was played across several clubs in several countries.

X You: This video features behind-the-scenes studio footage of Avicii working on the song and traveling to perform.

Wake Me Up:  The song is uplifting, and speaks of hope and starting afresh. Wake Me Up has influences from the genres of folk music and country music. The song peaked at No. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100, dominated radio stations during 2013, and went platinum six times

Lonely Together: British singer Rita Ora jumped on this Avici track that EMA artist Cashmere Cat also helped produce. It was Avicii’s biggest track before his death. It’s catchy and might be unlike a song that speaks of loneliness and love.

You Make Me: The Swedish artist co-produced the EDM song with Ash Pournouri as the follow-up single to Wake Me Up on his debut album True. It dethroned his own song Wake Me Up on the U.K. Dance Chart to take the top spot.

Waiting For Love:  The song was the lead single off Avicii’s second album titled Stories. Avicci collaborated wirth Martin Garrix for this song.

Hey Brother: The song is all about celebrating brotherhood and friendship. Bluegrass singer Dan Tyminski provided vocals for “Hey Brother,” a dance track that incorporated Tyminski’s style as well as country. The video for the single includes clips from the Vietnam War.

Addicted To You: Avicii co-wrote this track with Mac Davis, Josh Krajcik, and Pournouri.

The Days: Avicii co-wrote “The Days” with Swedish Grammy Award-winning producers Salem Al Fakir and Vincent Pontare and U.K. vocalist Robbie Williams.

The nights: The Nights” follows the folk rock sound found in Wake Me Up and Hey Brother.

“Without You” ft. Sandro Cavazza: This track features vocals from Swedish singer Sandro Cavazza.

“Friend of Mine” ft. Vargas & Lagola: This was the last song uploaded to Avicii’s YouTube channel before his death.

Bromance:  It charted the top track lists in several countries and was right at number one spot on the Billboard Dance Clubs Songs category.