Shillong Chamber Choir founder and noted music composer Neil Nongkynrih died in Mumbai after a brief illness on Wednesday said Choir officials. The 52-year-old music conductor and composer who led the SCC to national fame after a reality TV show about a decade ago, died at the Reliance Hospital in Mumbai after a brief illness, they said.

Neil and the entire Choir were in Mumbai for the past three months on work. “He was admitted to the hospital yesterday and passed away in the evening today after a surgery,” a spokesman for the group told PTI. He said the mortal remains of Neil, who was awarded the Padma Shri, in 2015 would be brought back to his home here as soon as all formalities in Mumbai are completed.