Lata Mangeshkar’s death is a loss to music
BORN on 28 September 1929 in Lahore.She was the daughter of well-known drama troupe owner, Pandit Dinanath Mangeshkar.
She was the eldest among the four daughters and a son.Her mother Shevanti hailed from Thalner in Maharashtra and was her father’s second wife.
The family’s surname was originally Hardikar, but her father Deenanath changed it to Mangeshkar to relate it with his native place ‘Mangeshi’ in Goa.
Lata’s childhood name was Hema.She was renamed after a character, Latika, from one of her father’s plays.
The first fruits of classical music was tasted by her under the auspicious training of her dad.Her songs were very melodious.People also know her by the name of Swara Kokila.
She has sung songs in a total of 36 regional and foreign languages, most of which she has sung in Marathi, Hindi, Bengali and Assamese.
She remained in the profession of playback singing for almost 66 years and was very famous in the Bollywood film industry.
She received many awards and honours for her melodious singing.In the year 2001, she was honoured with the biggest award — the Bharat Ratna.
She was awarded with the Padma Bhushan in 1969, Padma Vibhushan in 1999, Zee Cine Award for Lifetime Achievement in 1999, Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 1989, Maharashtra Bhushan Award in 1997, NTR National Award in 1999, Legion of Honour in 2007 (France highest order), ANR National Award in 2009, 3 national film awards, Filmfare awards and Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award.
She sung more than 52,000 songs in her career.She was one of the best singers in India.
Although most fondly called the Nightingale of Bollywood, Lata Mangeshkar was also called the Queen of Melody, Voice of the Nation and Voice of the Millenium.
She was one of the most respected playback singers in India.In the year 2007, she released an album, ‘Saadgi’, comprising of eight ghazal-like songs penned down by Javed Akhtar.
In 2011, she released the album, ‘Sarhadein: Music Beyond Boundaries’, which consisted of a duet between her and Mehdi Hasan.
On 28 November 2012, she launched her own music label LM music, with an album of bhajans.
She sang along with sister Usha Mangeshkar in it.Recognising her great contribution in the field of vocal art and melody, she was nominated to Rajya Sabha in 2000.
Her work in that field too is commendable.She regularly contributes to the welfare of the country and works towards the upliftment of the underprivileged.
Despite being such a great name, she seems to have remained the same simple person at heart.
The white silk saree with a traditional red border and plait which she always wears, have become a trademark symbol.
Her humility and shy persona too has remained unchanged.Not only has her voice moved millions within the country but has also spread the magic of Indian music all over the globe.
A book on her life — “Lata Mangeshkar: A Musical Journey” had been written and published by Yatindra Mishra.
The book tells about the life of the queen of Hindi music from the 1940s to the current time.She will be always remain a singing queen of Bollywood and her unbeatable voice was loved by people of all age-groups.
Her death on February 6, 2022 is indeed a loss to whole world of music.She will always be remembered for her melodious voice.
—The writer is contributing columnist, based in Mumbai, India
