Edited by Deepali Verma
Lata Mangeshkar is the voice of generations in Bharat and is one of the biggest music icons the country has produced. She took the Bharatiya film industry to international heights. The ‘Nightingale of India’ was born on 28 September 1929, Lata Mangeshkar started her training to be a singer at the age of five.
The first song she ever sang was ‘Naachu Yaa Gade, Khelu Saari Mani Haus Bhaari’, which was composed by Sadashivrao Nevrekar for Vasant Joglekar’s Marathi movie Kiti Hasaal in 1942. Her first-ever Hindi song was ‘Natali Chaittaachi Navalaai’, which was composed by Dada Chandekar.
Lata Mangeshkar then lent her voice to many songs that became popular such as Mujhse Juda Hokar, Koi Ladki Hai, Main Teri Dushman, Dil Deewana, Der Na Ho Jaye Kahin, Gori Kab Se Huyee Jawan, Tere Liye, Yeh Galiyan Yeh Chaubara, Dil To Pagal Hai, Yashoda Ka Nandlala, Gum Hai Kisi Ke Pyaar Mein and Saajan Mera Us Paar Hai among others. A compelling fact about the icon is that she found herself in the Guinness Book of World Records for having sung the maximum number of songs in the world in 1974.
Accolades of Lata Mangeshkar
The music legend had bagged three National Film Awards, four Filmfare Best Female Playback Awards, two Filmfare Special Awards as well as the Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award amongst others.
Not only this, she has received several other awards such as the Sri Chanrasekarendra Saraswathi National Eminence Award, “Pride of India – Kala Saraswathi” Music Award along with the Sahyadri Navratna Award for ‘Swar Ratna’ of the year.
Later, she was graced with Padma Bhushan in 1969, the Dadasahebh Phalke Award in 1989, Maharashtra Bhushan in 1997, Padma Vibhushan in 1999, Bharat Ratna in 2001, One Time Award for Lifetime Achievement honour to mark the 60th anniversary of Bharat’s Independence.
Death Anniversary
On the occasion of her second death anniversary on February 6, Bharat came together to celebrate the legacy established by this Bharat Ratna recipient. To honour this, renowned sand artist Sudarsan Pattanaik paid his tribute to the singer by crafting a stunning sculpture of her.
Pattnaik, in addition to Mangeshkar’s face, further carved ‘The Nightingale Lata Mangeshkar’ and the iconic song—‘Meri Awaaz Hi Phehchan Hai’. Sharing the video on X, he wrote, “Remembering Bharat Ratna #LataMangeshkar Ji, the Nightingale of Bharatiya Cinema and legendary singer on Her Death Anniversary.”
Besides the aforementioned tribute, eminent personalities also took the opportunity to extend their wishes. Music composer Manoj Muntashir, sharing an old clip from a singing reality show, tweeted in Hindi, “Mother Sharda’s blessed daughter and our dear sister, my heartfelt tribute to you on your death anniversary!”
A video featuring the rare photos of Lata Mangeshkar was shared by the Union Minister Nitin Gadkari where he wrote, “Gansamragini. Respectful greetings to Bharat Ratna respected Latadi Mangeshkar ji on her memorial day.”