NEW DELHI: Prime minister Manmohan Singh has condoled the demise of senior Congress leader and Sangeet Natak Akademi Chairman Ram Niwas Mirdha who died on Friday following multiple organ failure.

The 87-year old Mirdha, a former Speaker of Rajasthan Assembly, was admitted to a private hospital on 21 January  after he was diagnosed with a kidney infection.

Mirdha is survived by his wife, two sons and a daughter.

In a condolence message, Singh said Mirdha had varied interests and was active in international forums. He was also a man of letters and he served for two terms as Chairman of the Lalit Kala Akademi. He was Chairman of the Sangeet Natak Academi at the time of his passing away.

In a strange coincidence, the tableux of the Sangeet Natak Akademi was on Friday, named for the first prize in this year's Republic Day parade.