Padma Shri awardee Bhojpuri folk singer Hiralal Yadav died on Sunday at the age of 93. The veteran musician passed away after prolonged illness at his residence here in Chowkaghat.

Yadav, who was famously known as 'Birha Samrat', was undergoing treatment at a city hospital and was discharged on Saturday.

He took his last breath this morning, said a family member.

Yadav was felicitated with Padma Shri award this year in the month of January, and was also honoured with Yash Bharti award by the Uttar Pradesh government in 2015.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid homage to Yadav.

"Deeply saddened by the news of the demise of Padma Shri awardee Birha Samrat of Varanasi, Shri Hiralal Yadav. I had enquired about his health two days ago. His demise is an irreparable loss to the field of folk music. My thoughts are with his fans and family in this hour of grief," the PM tweeted.

पद्मश्री पुरस्कार से सम्मानित वाराणसी के बिरहा गायक श्री हीरालाल यादव जी के निधन की खबर से अत्यंत दुख हुआ। दो दिन पहले ही बातचीत कर उनका हालचाल जाना था। उनका निधन लोकगायकी के क्षेत्र के लिए अपूरणीय क्षति है। शोक की इस घड़ी में मेरी संवेदनाएं उनके प्रशंसकों और परिवार के साथ हैं।

— Chowkidar Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 12, 2019