KS Chitra's daughter drowns in Dubai pool

DUBAI // The eight-year-old daughter of Indian playback singer K S Chitra drowned this morning after falling into a swimming pool at a private villa in Emirates Hills.

The incident happened at the home of the singer's sister, where Chitra, along with her daughter, Nandana, and husband were staying.

"The doors leading to the pool were open at the friend's house. She slipped into it and drowned," said a source close to the family.

"They immediately rushed her to a hospital in Jebel Ali, but it was too late," said the source, who asked not be identified.

"The singer is in complete shock," he said.

Nandana, a child with special needs, was born to the couple after several years of marriage.

Confirming her death, the Indian consulate in Dubai said it was in touch with the family.

"We have assured them of all cooperation in completing the necessary formalities to take the body home," said a spokesperson from the consulate.

The playback singer and her family arrived here on Tuesday afternoon from Chennai to perform at a tribute concert, A R Rehman Special Hits, at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium this evening.

Concert organisers said the show, which will see popular singers - A R Rehman's sisters, Hariharan, Naresh Iyer, Sadhna Sargam and Benny Dayal - will go on as scheduled. Troupe members will start the show with a special prayer for the little girl.

"The show will happen this evening as planned," said Sha Mohammed, the creative director of Media Factory, the show organisers. "There will be a prayer for the child before we start the show."

"In fact, we had arranged for an executive room at a hotel in Bur Dubai. However, the singer was keen to provide her daughter with the comforts of a home. She wanted to ensure a safe environment for her daughter and opted to stay with her older sister in Emirates Hills," said Mr Mohammed.

The girl's body will be taken back to India.

pkannan@thenational.ae