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Prashant Tamang (1983-2026): Indian Idol star from Darjeeling who became ‘pride of the hills’, face of Gorkha movement

What made the then 25-year-old’s presence unique was that a Gorkha boy from Darjeeling had captured the national imagination.

Written by: Ravik Bhattacharya, Suanshu Khurana

4 min readKolkata, New DelhiUpdated: Jan 14, 2026 08:06 AM IST

Prashant Tamang : Indian Idol star from Darjeeling who became ‘pride of the hills’, face of Gorkha movement

Prashant Tamang died Sunday due to suspected cardiac arrest.

In 2007, the hills of Darjeeling were on edge. Not due to a political agitation or protest, but because one of their own — Prashant Tamang, a Kolkata Police constable — had reached the finals of Indian Idol Season 3.

What made the then 25-year-old’s presence unique was that a Gorkha boy from Darjeeling had captured the national imagination. So much so that leaders associated with Subhas Ghising’s Gorkha National Liberation Front (GNLF), including Bimal Gurung and Roshan Giri, spearheaded campaigns in Tamang’s favour, organising rallies, raising funds and urging local residents to vote.

Branded “Pahad Ka Gaurav” (Pride of the Hills), Tamang acquired quite a following, even beyond West Bengal where he worked. He won the show despite facing criticism from judges Javed Akhtar, Anu Malik, Alisha Chinai and Udit Narayan. The win came with a different kind of affection, though. It fuelled Gorkha pride, especially when he named his winning album Dhanyavaad (2007), thanking the people, and sang Bir Gorkhali — originally a song by a popular band from the hills, Mantra, about a Gorkhali son who fears no enemy, loves his land and honours his heritage.

Tamang died on Sunday due to suspected cardiac arrest in Delhi at the age of 43. According to a Delhi Police officer, he was brought for treatment by his wife at Mata Chanan Devi Hospital, where he was declared dead. He is survived by his mother, sisters Archana and Anupama, and wife Geeta Thapa. Speaking to The Indian Express about her brother, Archana said, “He captured the imagination of all when he participated in and won Indian Idol. His life changed thereafter.”

Apart from concerts all over the world, Tamang’s Indian Idol win led him to a Rs 1-crore jackpot and a full-fledged career in Nepali films, debuting with Gorkha Paltan (2010). His fourth Nepali film, Nishani (2014), was based on the bravery of Gorkhas in the Kargil War. He also attracted considerable attention after being cast in Pataal Lok Season 2.

Taking to X on Sunday, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee wrote: “Saddened by the sudden and untimely demise today of Prashant Tamang, the popular singer of Indian Idol fame and an artist of national renown… I convey my condolences to his family, friends, and countless followers.”

The year that Tamang claimed the Indian Idol title marked the beginning of a new phase for the hills of Darjeeling. When a Delhi-based FM radio jockey mocked Tamang using a slur, the remark struck an already raw nerve, and provided another spark to the movement for a separate Gorkhaland state. According to local media reports at the time, Tamang’s fan clubs were transformed into offices of the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM), a breakaway faction of GNLF.

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Speaking to The Indian Express over phone, Roshan Giri, now the GJM general secretary, said, “When Indian Idol happened, we were all there for him. For the first time, one of our youths was on a national stage. It kindled our aspirations. We did all we could to garner support for him. Not only in Darjeeling, but from different parts of the country. Then he won and made us all proud. Our identity was established through him.”

In 2017, when there was a renewed movement for Gorkhaland with a 104-day strike, Tamang was back as an inspiration, a rallying point. “I feel sad. Is Darjeeling a war zone? Or the border? Why are the Army and Central forces being sent there? The struggle for Gorkhaland cannot be stopped. Will you keep quiet if your mother is lathi-charged?” Tamang had told The Indian Express at the time, adding that he wanted to pen a song in support of Gorkhaland.

And yet, before auditioning for Indian Idol in 2007, Tamang lived a life far away from the spotlight, growing up in Tungsung in Darjeeling, and losing his father to an accident. He left school to take up his father’s position in the Kolkata Police. There, apart from routine duty, he used to sing for the police band — a space that went on to shape a Darjeeling boy’s journey to the big stage.

Ravik Bhattacharya

Ravik Bhattacharya is a highly experienced and award-winning journalist currently serving as the Chief of Bureau of The Indian Express, Kolkata. With over 20 years of experience in the media industry, Ravik possesses deep expertise across a wide range of critical subjects and geographical areas. Experience & Authority Current Role: Chief of Bureau, The Indian Express, Kolkata. Expertise: Extensive reporting across West Bengal, Odisha, Assam, and the Andaman Nicobar Islands. Ravik specializes in politics, crime, major incidents and issues, and investigative stories, demonstrating a robust command of complex and sensitive subjects. Experience: His long and distinguished career includes key reporting roles at several prestigious publications, including The Asian Age, The Statesman, The Telegraph, and The Hindustan Times. Ravik's current role marks his second stint with The Indian Express, having previously served as a Principal Correspondent in the Kolkata bureau from 2005 to 2010. Major Award: Ravik's authority and quality of work are substantiated by his winning of the prestigious Ramnath Goenka Excellence in Journalism Award in 2007 for Political Reporting. Education: His strong academic foundation includes a Bachelor's degree with English Honours from Scottish Church College under Calcutta University, and a PG Diploma in Mass Communication from Jadavpur University. Ravik Bhattacharya's extensive tenure, specialized beat coverage, and notable award confirm his status as a trusted and authoritative voice in Indian journalism, particularly for stories emanating from Eastern India. ... Read More

Suanshu Khurana

Suanshu Khurana is an award-winning journalist and music critic currently serving as a Senior Assistant Editor at The Indian Express. She is best known for her nuanced writing on Indian culture, with a specific focus on classical music, cinema, and the arts. Expertise & Focus Areas Khurana specializes in the intersection of culture and society. Her beat involves deep-dive reporting on: Indian Classical Music: She is regarded as a definitive voice in documenting the lineages (Gharanas) and evolution of Hindustani classical music. Cinema & Theatre: Her critiques extend beyond reviews to analyze the socio-political narratives within Indian cinema and theater. Cultural Heritage: She frequently profiles legendary artists and unearths stories about India’s tangible and intangible cultural heritage. Professional Experience At The Indian Express, Khurana is responsible for curating and writing features for the Arts and Culture pages. Her work is characterized by long-form journalism that offers intimate portraits of artists and rigorous analysis of cultural trends. She has been instrumental in bringing the stories of both stalwarts and upcoming artistes to the forefront of mainstream media. Find all stories by Suanshu Khurana here ... Read More

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