Even as Mumbai prepared for the last rites of Lata Mangeshkar at Shivaji Park at 6:30 p.m. on Sunday, Karan Johar spoke for the performing arts community when he said: "Today, heaven truly gained the voice of an angel."

The producer-director-TV host said: "I grew up listening to Lata ji's songs and as I mourn her loss today -- I know with absolute confidence that unki 'awaaz hi pehchan' hai and she has left an indelible mark on our Indian culture for many generations to come.