KATHMANDU: Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli expressed deep sorrow over the passing of veteran musician and composer of Nepal's national anthem Amber Gurung, but said the veteran is a never-setting star of the Nepali music. In a statement, Prime Minister Oli said he was shocked by the news and expressed heartfelt condolence to the bereaved family. Remembering Gurung for his contribution to the Nepali music as a musician, lyricist, singer, teacher, researcher, Oli mentioned that the Nepal Academy of Music and Drama was his brainchild. Gurung was the founding chancellor of the Nepal Academy of Music and Drama. 'Gurung, who was born in Darjeeling of India and spent his life to uplift the Nepali music, will always shine in the sky of Nepali music as a star that never sets,' Oli said in the eulogical statement issued by his media advisor, Pramod Dahal. 'The country will always remember the contribution that late Gurung made to Nepal and Nepalis through his creation.' Likewise, Nepali Congress President and former Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba expressed sadness over Gurung's demise and condoled the bereaved family. In a statement, Deuba said Gurung's passing was an irreparable loss on Nepali music. Gurung breathed his last during the course of treatment at the Dhapasi-based Grande International Hospital at 2:37 am on Tuesday. He was 79. He suffered from hypertension, diabetes and Parkinson’s disease. He is survived by his wife Bina, three sons and a daughter. READ ALSO Nepal national anthem composer Amber Gurung dies at 79