KATHMANDU: Senior singer of the Nepali music industry Ruby Joshi is no more. The Kanchhi Matyang Tang singer, who was a kidney patient and on dialysis for a long time, passed away on November 25 in Kathmandu. He was 71.

“He was admitted to the Nidan Hospital, Pulchowk for about a week. He was under dialysis three times a week.

He encountered some complications and was put on the ventilator the day before yesterday and he passed away at 2:00 pm on November 25,” legendary singer Prem Dhoj Pradhan shared about his contemporary singer.

As per Pradhan, Joshi’s final rites were performed the same day at Pashupati Aryaghat, which he couldn’t attend.

Composer Narayan Oli added, “He was suffering from kidney problems — he was on dialysis for the last five years. He also had pressure and diabetes.”

Joshi, who was born in Maitidevi in 1945 (2002 BS), was a voice that resounded during the 60s. Timro Pani Maya Lagchha and Maile Jastai Timi Le Pani Maya Diyee Hera are his popular numbers. Joshi, who sang as a hobby, had contributed about 150 recorded songs and five albums.

Three albums were released during 90s which included songs composed by mostly Nati Kaji among others. His other two albums were Ek Barko Juni (2003) and Pari Jaasti Timilai (2005) with Oli.

“He was a good singer who sang as a hobby. But he was more than an artiste — a fun personality,” Oli said adding, “In his latter years, he wanted to do rich music.”

Pradhan expressed, “He was a good singer.” He also recalled the All Nepal Singing Competition of Radio Nepal in 1963 (2020 BS) where Joshi came first in the amateur category, while he had stood first in the professional category.

The news of Joshi’s passing came as a shock to lyricist Yadav Kharel. “He was a good artiste. He was not a full-time singer but whatever song he used to sing, he did it with honesty and sincerity,” he said.

They were tole friends. Joshi had also sung a song of Kharel’s.

Joshi, whose field was finance and banking, is survived by his wife Jamuna Joshi and son Rupesh Joshi.