KATHMANDU, June 7: Senior musician and composer of the national anthem, Amber Gurung, passed away early this morning at Grande International Hospital. 

"Gurung, suffering from diabetes, high blood pressure and Parkinson's disease since long, was undergoing treatment at ICU and had been put on ventilator, and breathed his last at 2:37 am', said Public Relations Officer at Grande Hospital quoting Dr Chakraraj Pandey, involved in Gurung's treatment, as saying. 

Gurung was admitted at Grande Hospital after some complications on his food pipe was experienced. Before this, he underwent treatment at Medanta Hospital, India. 

Born in Darjeeling, Gurung has significant contribution in Nepali music sector. He has composed over 1,000 songs including 'Rato Ra Chandra Surya','Nau Lakh Tara Udaaye' amd 'Ma Amber Hun, Timi Dharti'. Not only musician, he is also known as lyricist and singer. 

Gurung was first chancellor of the Nepal Academy of Music and Drama. He is survived by a wife, three sons and a daughter. RSS