Article By:
Urban Dsouza,
M.A; B.Ed; Diploma in Journalism, Executive MBA
Lata Mangeshkar (1929-2022), the ever green voice of India died on 6th of this month after a month long battle with life in Breach Candy Hospital. She has entertained and inspired millions of people for many years. Indian singer Lata Mangeshkar is known as the 'Nightingale of India'.
Lata was born on September 28, 1929 in Indore and has worked extensively in various spheres of Indian popular and light Classical Music. She has sung Ghazals, Bhajans, and Pop. In fact, she has sung over 30,000 songs for three generations of heroines, from Madhubala to Zeenat Aman to Kajol. She became the most recorded artist in the world with the Guinness Book of Records.
Originally, Deenanath's family had the surname Hardikar, but changed it to Mangeshkar in honor of his native Goa town Mangeshi. Her childhood name was Hema. She was renamed after a character in one of her father's plays, Latika. With the blessings of her own father, Lata Mangeshkar tasted the first fruits of Classical Music. The tragedy struck when, in 1942, Pandit Dina Nathji passed away. Lata, who had just turned thirteen, was left with the mantle of responsibility. She was the eldest child of the family. Meena, Asha, Usha, and Hridaynath, in birth order, are her siblings; all are accomplished singers and musicians
In 1942, she sang the song "Nachu Yaa Gade" for a Marathi movie, but the song was cut from the final release of the film. In 1943, she also recorded her first Hindi song for a Marathi film.Upon moving to Mumbai in 1945, she began to study Hindustani Classical Music with Ustad Amanat Ali Khan. Following partition, he migrated to Pakistan. Thus, she began studying with Pt Tulsidas Sharma and Amanat Khan Devaswale. She got her first break in 1948 when she sang a song in the Hindi film Majboor composed by Ghulam Haider. We all know what happened after that. Her life has never been the same since. She has created for herself a place of honour etched in gold.
Lata Mangeshkar's versatility as a singer is demonstrated by the fact that she has sung in a number of languages ranging from love songs and blues to Classical and Raga songs to Bhakti and devotional - nothing seems to have been left untouched or unexplored by her.In many different languages, her voice has breathed life and texture into thousands of songs. The voice of her songs symbolizes the voice of India in the world. Through the string of her sweet voice, her voice is able to unify and bind people who have been divided for a long time. Through the decades, her voice continues to resonate as a clear, distinct and representative voice of an entire era and nation.
In 2007, she released an album, Saadgi, which contained eight ghazal-like songs written by Javed Akhtar. She released an album in 2011 called Sarhadein: Music beyond Boundaries, which includes a duet between her and Mehdi Hasan. On 28 November 2012, she launched her own record label, LM Music, with an album of bhajans. She performed with her sister Usha on this album.
She was nominated to the Rajya Sabha in 2000 for her contribution to vocal art and melody. This is also an important field of her work. As part of her contributions to the welfare of the country, she works to uplift the underprivileged.Despite having such a great name. She appears to still be a simple person at heart. Lata Mangeshkar is famous for her white silk sarees with a traditional red border and plait. Her modesty and shy nature have also remained untouched. In addition to moving millions in India, her voice has helped spread the magic of Indian Music around the world.
Her Achievements: In 2001, Lata Mangeshkar was honored with the Bharat Ratna, the biggest award in Indian culture. Her other awards include 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, Bharat Ratna in 2001, Legion of Honor in 2007 (France's highest honor), ANR National Award in 2009, 3 National Film Awards, Filmfare awards, and Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award. The Greatest Indian poll of Outlook India ranked Lata Mangeshkar 10th in 2012. Apart from this, she was also awarded the Best Music Director Award by the Maharashtra State Government for the film Sadhi Manase. "Airanichya Deva Tula" was voted best song from the same film. A book on Lata Ji, titled "Lata Mangeshkar - A Musical journey" was also published by Yatindra Mishra. It tells the story of the Queen of Hindi Music from the 1940s to the present day.
Some of her super hit songs are,aye Mere watan Ke logon, Ayega Anewaala, Chalte Chalte Yunhi koi Mil Gaya tha, Lag Ja Gale Tuge Dekha To, Dil To Pagal He, Mehendi Lagake Rakna, Mere Kvabo Me Jo Aye, Luka Chuppi and many more.
Lata didi, as she was fondly called by her close associates will be missed by millions of her fans, but her ever green songs will remain forever. She had said “It was not really the external influences that made me a singer. Music was within me. I was full of it”, to quote her own words.