As the news of his awful death spread, the popular winner of ‘Amul Star Voice of India 2007’ contest, Ishmeet Singh’s hometown Ludhiana was plunged in a pall of darkness and collective grief.

The 20-year-old potential singer had gone to Maldives to take part in a music concert. On Tuesday, he died due to drowning in a pool of the resort where he was staying.

S. Gurprinder Singh Sodhi, Ishmeet’s father, told at their home in Ludhiana that the event management company, which took Ishmeet to the Maldives, communicated him at around 2000 hrs that Ishmeet had died due to drowning in the hotel pool.

The 20-year-old potential singer had been frolicking in a small pool meant for children and afterward jumped into the deep-end of the main pool and had immediately run into trouble, a hotel official said.

Mr. Sodhi told reports that they were shocked that Ishmeet died because of drowning in the pool.

An inconsolable father said, “He had never swam before us and we are not aware whether he could swim or not.”

“Television channels announced his death at around 2100 hours, the time when were expecting to see Ishmeet perform for the first time in the Maldives,” he said.

Mr. Sodhi also said that Ishmeet left Ludhiana on Monday for Chandigarh from where he went to Mumbai on way to the Maldives.

Ishmeet's mother Amritpal Kaur was in a state of shock and so was his sister.

A large number of people assembled at Ishmeet’s house in Shastri Nagar area of the industrial town. All roads heading to his house from different adjacent zones such as Model Town and Pakhowal Road were choked with vehicles and people streaming into singers’s home, and many of them weeping loudly.

Ishmeet’s father said the event management company informed that the body was expected to be brought to India on Wednesday. The cremation would be performed in Ludhiana.

Ishmeet's death plunged the music world into mourning and ace playback singers Lata Mangeshkar, Asha Bhonsle, Abhijeet, Shaan and Alka Yagnik expressed grief at the incident.

Lata ji said, “I was very happy when he won the Voice of India contest. Such a fate to befall one at such a young age -- I have no words to express my feelings.”

She also said that Ishmeet had a unique voice and did not copy anyone.

Abhijeet, who was one of the judges for VOI contest, said that he recognised the talent in Ishmeet and other jury members used to blame him of favoring him.

Shaan said he was shocked at learning the news of Ishmeet's death.

Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal said that India had lost a ‘precious gem’ and a ‘void had been created in the music world that would be hard to fill.’