[UPDATED] Outpouring of love, grief for Anil Bheem

The sudden death of popular chutney/Bollywood singer and radio presenter Anil "The Vocalist" Bheem has triggered an outpouring of love, support, and grief from fans and artistes.

At 6.20 am on Saturday, 103.1 fm the radio station where he worked broke the news.

"With heavy hearts, we relay the news that our beloved Anil Bheem passed away this morning. This is beyond shocking and we are still trying to process," a post said.

"His 103.1 fm family extends deepest sympathy to his dear wife Cheryl, daughters, family, friends, colleagues in the industry and legions of fans."

Newsday learnt that Bheem, 48, performed at two events on Friday night – at the Rig Restaurant and Lounge in La Romaine and at at Heartland Plaza in Chaguanas. Bheem was the leader and main vocalist of the BMRZ band.

His latest hit, titled The Indian Anthem, has 2.4 million views just four months after it was uploaded on West Indian Chutney Music YouTube’s channel.

The popular band Dil E Nadan took to Facebook, saying, "Gone from our sight but never from our hearts. A dear brother who showed his love for our culture, loved his family and graced the airwaves bringing joy to our lives."

"Just a couple of months ago, we were in New York together and I told you to come sing with my band. I remembered how we joked around at soundcheck bro. Raymond Ramnarine & Dil E Nadan send our thoughts and prayers to the family and loved ones of our dear brother. Fly high with the angels. RIP."

A few days ago, the founder of Dil E Nadan band, Tole Ramnarine, passed away.

Chutney soca champion Samraj Jaimungal, also known as Rikki Jai, shared fond memories of Bheem.

They greeted each other with the words, "The original Lackpat."

"He was one of my friends who sang at my wedding and I at his. Camaraderie with laughter was always how we greeted each other. I would always tell him bro you were born on the wrong side of the world," a post on his Facebook page said on Saturday.

"His voice was one of a kind and surely, if he was born in India, he would have been one of the greats of the screen industry. He did not let that keep him back, for he became the best Bollywood playback singer Trinidad and the Caribbean diaspora has ever seen and heard."

Jaimungal said Bheem's covers of Kishore Mukesh, Rafi Kumar Sanu, and many other singers from the Bollywood film industry are now timeless.

"I can safely say, just like my friends Anand Yankaran and Sundar Popo, who passed on, music was not what he did. Music was who he was. Sleep in peace, my friend, and until we meet again on the heavenly stage where we will sip some drinks and sing again all our favourite songs and laugh at the good time we shared in this life."

Another veteran singer, Heeralal "Hero" Rampartap, also paid glowing tributes, adding the death was an unimaginable loss. He reminisced that they shared many stages, many tours, many jokes, many stories, we shared long-lasting mutual respect and friendship.

"Nobody can prepare us to have to write a post like this. Who will ask me about my cranberry juice story now? One thing you never forgot was when you missed your flight to one of our shows. I stayed behind with you, never left you alone in that airport. I waited together with you to catch the next flight out." Rampartap said.

The Ministry of Tourism, Culture and the Arts said it was deeply saddened by Bheem's death as well as the recent death of the patriarch of the Ramnarine family and founder of Dil E Nadan band.

The statement from the ministry on Saturday referred to Bheem as a beloved entertainer, a passionate champion of Trinbagonian music and culture, and a leading light in the local Indian music industry.

"His music was a combination of Indian rhythms, English lyrics and Caribbean beats, and incorporated influences of calypso, rapso, and parang music, creating a sound that was unique and truly indigenous to TT," the statement said.

"He was widely known for his popular Chutney Soca hits including Hanuman Chalisa, He Shaar De Maa and his latest song The Indian Anthem."

Many celebrated his music, earning him the title of Chutney Soca King in the late 1990s after a series of hits on the local airwaves.

The statement said Bheem made significant contributions as a radio announcer on 103 fm.

On the recent death of Dil E Nadan founder, line minister Randall Mitchell said Bheem and Ramnarine "were multi-talented and award-winning musicians who have entertained audiences in TT and the world for decades."

"Both played critical roles in the indo-Trinbagonian music industry as it broke new ground and gained wider acceptance. I extend my deepest sympathy to their loved ones and the local music fraternity, which have truly suffered great losses. Their contribution to the diversification of our nation's music industry and cultural landscape will never be forgotten."

The ministry acknowledges the indelible mark Bheem and Ramnarine have made within the creative sector and extends sincere condolences to their families, friends, and loved ones.

Soca star Ian "Bunji Garlin" Alvarez took to Twitter to offer condolences to the family.

"Brother Anil Bheem, RIP and fly high king. Always a joy when we saw each other. Condolences to his family and to music community as well."

A post from singer Dane "Mr Kronic" Layne said he had the opportunity to meet "this gentleman" a few times.

He added, "You have left a serious void in the chutney fraternity and will truly be missed. RIP to the vocalist Anil Bheem."

A Facebook statement from the leader of the opposition Kamla Persad-Bissessar said it was with deep sadness she offered condolences to Bheem’s friends and family.

"With yet another blow to the local music industry, Anil has left us with a hole in our hearts as he was a household name within our nation. I recognise his enormous contributions to our local culture and his efforts in placing TT on the international stage. He will be forever missed. May he rest in peace."

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The sudden death of popular chutney/Bollywood singer and radio presenter Anil "The Vocalist" Bheem has triggered an outpouring of love, support, and grief from fans and artistes.

At 6.20 am on Saturday, 103.1 fm the radio station where he worked broke the news.

"With heavy hearts, we relay the news that our beloved Anil Bheem passed away this morning. This is beyond shocking and we are still trying to process," a post said.

"His 103.1 fm family extends deepest sympathy to his dear wife Cheryl, daughters, family, friends, colleagues in the industry and legions of fans."

Newsday learnt that Bheem, 48, performed at two events on Friday night – at the Rig Restaurant and Lounge in La Romaine and at at Heartland Plaza in Chaguanas. Bheem was the leader and main vocalist of the BMRZ band.

His latest hit, titled The Indian Anthem, has 2.4 million views just four months after it was uploaded on West Indian Chutney Music YouTube’s channel.

The popular band Dil E Nadan took to Facebook, saying, "Gone from our sight but never from our hearts. A dear brother who showed his love for our culture, loved his family and graced the airwaves bringing joy to our lives."

"Just a couple of months ago, we were in New York together and I told you to come sing with my band. I remembered how we joked around at soundcheck bro. Raymond Ramnarine & Dil E Nadan send our thoughts and prayers to the family and loved ones of our dear brother. Fly high with the angels. RIP."

A few days ago, the founder of Dil E Nadan band, Tole Ramnarine, passed away.

Soca star Ian "Bunji Garlin" Alvarez took to Twitter to offer condolences to the family.

"Brother Anil Bheem, RIP and fly high king. Always a joy when we saw each other. Condolences to his family and to music community as well."

A post from singer Dane "Mr Kronic" Layne said he had the opportunity to meet "this gentleman" a few times.

He added, "You have left a serious void in the chutney fraternity and will truly be missed. RIP to the vocalist Anil Bheem."

A Facebook statement from the leader of the opposition Kamla Persad-Bissessar said it was with deep sadness she offered condolences to Bheem’s friends and family.

"With yet another blow to the local music industry, Anil has left us with a hole in our hearts as he was a household name within our nation. I recognise his enormous contributions to our local culture and his efforts in placing Trinidad and Tobago on the international stage. He will be forever missed. May he rest in peace."

Oropouche East MP Dr Roodal Moonilal said Bheem would be remembered as a leading entertainer in the local East Indian-music industry.

The opposition MP referred to Bheem as the protege of the immensely talented Bheem family.

"His mother, Prematee Bheem, remains an iconic nightingale to many of an earlier era. I had the honour to present Anil with the keys to his home several years ago and will fondly remember his deep appreciation and enduring gratitude," Moonilal said.

"His departure from this world comes at a time when his career was dramatically energised with the monster hit Suhani Raat – The Indian Anthem."

PRO of the National Council of Indian Culture (NCIC) Surujdeo Mangaroo offered condolences on behalf of the organisation, saying they were deeply saddened.

"Our heart goes out to members of the family during this difficult time. Anil was such a wonderful person and we feel so lucky to have known him. We will miss his haunting voice singing songs of Kishore Kumar and Rafi and as a presenter on the airwaves of 103.1 fm," Mangaroo said.

"He will be truly missed by millions of his fans globally. His melodious voice graced our stages on many occasions more especially our annual Divali Nagar event. This one for me personally is not an easy one to digest. May his soul find solace in the comforting arms of Bhagwan Shri Krishna."

No details have been given about the cause of death.