Even though it was expected, the news that India’s Melody Queen, Lata Mangeshkar, had passed away impacted the nation’s collective consciousness.
The only solace was that, while she had died, her voice, which had stirred our hearts and offered solace to our souls for more than seven decades, would live on. Lata Mangeshkar is one of India’s most well-known and renowned playback singers, having recorded songs for over a thousand Hindi films. Her fame stems from the fact that she has a pleasant and engaging voice.
Lataji’s early battle to establish herself in the 1940s, like other inspirational stories, is one we will never forget. She used to take the BEST bus from her south Mumbai home to meet Naushad Ali at his Khar West villa or in the studios on a regular basis, hoping for a singing break under the famed music producer’s baton.
Lata Mangeshkar began her acting career in 1942. Her singing career spanned seven decades, and she left us with some of the most beautiful and enchanting melodies ever written. Over 1,000 Hindi films featured songs sung by the great singer. She performed tens of thousands of songs in a variety of languages. Lata Mangeshkar was the eldest sister of Asha Bhosle, Usha Mangeshkar, Hridaynath Mangeshkar, and Meena Mangeshkar. In 1989, she received the coveted Dadasaheb Phalke Award, and in 2001, she was awarded the Bharat Ratna.
Early Life
On September 28, 1929, Lata Mangeshkar was born in Indore, Maharashtra, to a Maharashtrian Brahmin family. She was the eldest of Dinanatha Mangeshkar and Shevanti Mangeshkar’s five children. Her father was a Goan whose surname had been altered from Haridkar to Mangeshkar.
Lata Mangeshkar was born into a family of classical singers and theatrical actors. Lata’s first name was Hema, but her father changed it to Lata. Her father taught her how to sing classically. Lata began acting in her father’s musical shows when she was five years old. Though she began her musical study with her father, she also received training from Amanat Khan, Pandit Tulsidas Sharma, and Aman Ali Khan Saheb. Lata Mangeshkar’s father died when she was just thirteen years old. Lata’s responsibilities as the family’s eldest daughter included financial responsibilities.
Career
Throughout her life, she has had a spectacular career. From the 1940s to the 1980s, she was the most famous and successful female playback singer. Lata Mangeshkar has sung for a number of heroines, including Vaijayantimala, Preity Zinta, and others. Despite being one of the most well-known vocalists, she struggled as a music director compared to her singing career.
Lata Mangeshkar’s family friend Vinayak Damodar Karnataki was the one who helped her find work in the Marathi and Hindi film industries. Lata’s early years in the industry were difficult, but she went on to become known as the ‘Nightingale of India.’ ‘NaachuYaa Gade, Khelu Saari Mani Haus Bhaari’ was Lata Mangeshkar’s debut song. Sadashivrao Nevrekar composed the song, which was for the Marathi film ‘Kiti Hasaal.’ The song, however, was dropped even before the film’s release. As a result, Lata Mangeshkar’s debut song was ‘Mata Ek Sapoot Ki Duniya Badal De Tu’ from the 1943 film ‘Gajaabhaau.’ Lata Mangeshkar arrived in Bombay two years after this song, in 1945. (now Mumbai).
Lata Mangeshkar was also mentored by music director Ghulam Haider, in addition to Master Vinayak. Lata Mangeshkar’s song ‘Dil Mera Toda, Mujhe Kahin Ka Na Chhora’ from the 1948 film ‘Majboor’ was written and directed by him. Her first major hit song was ‘Ayega Anewala’ from the 1949 film Mahal, which featured Madhubala.
SD Burman, Naushad, Madan Mohan, Kalyanji-Anandji, Khayyam, Salil Chowdhury, and Pandit Amarnath Husan were among the top music directors in the profession. She worked with them.
Mahal (1949), Barsaat (1949), Meena Bazaar (1950), Aadhi Raat (1950), Chhoti Bhabhi (1950), Afsana (1951), Aansoo (1953), and Adl-e-Jehangir (1953) were among the commercial films in which she sang (1955).
She also sang for Naushad in films like Deedar (1951), Baiju Bawra (1952), Amar (1954), Uran Khatola (1955), and Mother India (1956). (1957). Ae Chorre Ki Jaat Badi Bewafa, a duet with G. M. Durrani, was her first song for composer Naushad. Shankar–Jaikishan cast Lata in Barsaat (1949), Aah (1953), Shree 420 (1955), and Chori Chori (1959), among other films (1956).
Lata Mangeshkar moved guests, including Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, to tears as she sang the iconic patriotic song “Ae Mere Watan Ke Logon.”
Lata Mangeshkar was asked to perform at Maple Leaf Gardens by the United Way of Greater Toronto in June 1985. She performed the song “You Needed Me” on stage. Around 12,000 people attended the show.
On November 28, 2012, she founded her own music company, LM Music, with a bhajan CD. In 2014, she released a Bengali album. Mayuresh Pai created the song “Saugandh Mujhe Is Mitti Ki,” which she published in 2019. It was a gift to the Indian army and the country.
Awards
During her distinguished career, Lata Mangeshkar got numerous honors and medals. In 1969, she received the Padma Bhushan Award, the Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 1989, the Padma Vibhushan Award in 1999, the Maharashtra Bhushan Award in 1997, the NTR National Award in 1999, and the ANR National Award in 2000. (2009). In 2001, she was also given the Bharat Ratna, India’s highest civilian award. In 1972, 1974, and 1990, Lata Mangeshkar received three National Film Awards. Also, in the years 1964, 1967-1973, 1975, 1981, 1983, 1985, 1987, and 1991, she received 12 Bengal Film Journalists’ Association Awards. In addition, she was named Best Female Playback Singer at the Filmfare Awards in 1958, 1962, 1965, 1969, 1993, and 1994.
Sangeet Natak Akademi (1989), Indira Kala Sangeet Vishwavidyalaya, Khairagarh, and Shivaji University in Kolhapur have all awarded her honorary doctorates.
Lata Mangeshkar, India’s singing legend, died on Sunday at the age of 92 in South Mumbai’s Breach Candy Hospital. She was admitted to the hospital for almost 28 days after being diagnosed with Covid-19. On Sunday, February 6, 2022, at 8:12 AM, the iconic singer passed away. May her soul rest in peace.
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