Melody queen Lata Mangeshkar remembered on death anniversary
Entertainment
There was divinity in her voice
MUMBAI (Web Desk) – It have been three years since Lata Mangeshkar left the world, but her memories and voice continue to give solace to music enthusiasts.
Lata Mangeshkar, who passed away at the age of 92 on February 6, 2023, was an incredibly enormous force and that can never diminish.
The melody queen was a comfort for her family, friends, the staff and her numerous listeners.
There was divinity in her voice. She had a large heart and she would give love to everyone.
Considered one of the greatest playback singers in Indian cinema, Mangeshkar in her over a period of seven decades sang unforgettable songs, including “Lag Jaa Gale”, “Mohe Panghat Pe”, “Chalte Chalte”, “Satyam Shivam Sundaram”, “Ajeeb Daastaan Hai”, “Hothon mein aisi baat”, “Pyar kiya to darna kya”, “Neela aasman so gaya”, and “Pani Pani Re”.
She received the Bharat Ratna, India’s highest civilian honour, in 2001.
Her contribution to the Indian music industry gained her titles such as the "Queen of Melody", "Voice of the Millennium" and "Nightingale of India".
Her career spanned over 80 years and she sang more than 5,000 songs in 36 Indian languages. From Madhubala to Madhuri Dixit, she lent her voice to all leading actresses in the country.
Lata won the Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 1989. In 2001, the Government of India conferred on her the Bharat Ratna, India's highest civilian honor, acknowledging her contribution to music.
France too bestowed her with its highest civilian award, the Officer of the Legion of Honour, in 2007.
Lata Mangeshkar was born to theatre artistes and singers — Pandit Deenanath Mangeshkar and Shevanti — in Indore on September 28, 1929.
Her siblings, Meena, Asha, Usha, and Hridaynath are all singers.
Lata shifted to Mumbai in 1949 after her father's death in 1942. She learned Hindustani music from Ustad Aman Ali Khan in Mumbai. Lata Mangeshkar has worked with some legendary music directors, including Madan Mohan, R D Burman, Laxmikant-Pyarelal duo and others.
She has sung for Laxmikant-Pyarelal in more than 700 songs, but working with RD Burman, Lata Mangeshkar's songs became extremely popular in the 1960s. Luka Chupi, her 2006 song from the movie Rang De Basanti, became an instant hit.
In 2012, Lata Mangeshkar launched her own label — LM Music. Her last known song was a Marathi number that she sang in 2019.
Mangeshkar has three National Film Awards, 15 Bengal Film Journalists' Association Awards, four Filmfare Best Female Playback Awards, two Filmfare Special Awards, Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award, and many more.
The legendary singer might not be anymore but her rich legacy that is a delight for music lovers, will continue to live forever.
