LATA MAGESHKAR (1929–2022)
Lata Mangeshkar was one of the most revered and influential playback singers in the history of Indian cinema. Her voice, ethereal and emotive, became the defining soundtrack of Bollywood across more than seven decades, earning her epithets such as the Nightingale of India, Queen of Melody, and Voice of the Millennium. She became a cultural icon, her music transcending generations, languages, and boundaries—both geographical and emotional.
Born on 28 September 1929 in Indore, Madhya Pradesh, Lata was the eldest daughter of Pandit Deenanath Mangeshkar, a renowned classical singer and theatre artist. At birth, she was named Hema, but was later renamed Lata, after a character named Latika in one of her father’s plays. She grew up in a musically gifted family—her siblings Meena, Asha (Asha Bhosle), Usha, and Hridaynath also became acclaimed musicians.
Lata Mangeshkar began her career in 1942 in Marathi cinema and made her debut in Hindi playback singing in 1947 with the film Aap Ki Seva Mein. She rose to national prominence with the hauntingly beautiful song "Aayega Aanewala" from Mahal (1949). Over her career, she recorded songs in over 36 languages, including Hindi, Marathi, Bengali, Tamil, and several others.
Her collaborations with legendary music directors such as Naushad, S.D. Burman, R.D. Burman, Madan Mohan, Shankar–Jaikishan, and Laxmikant–Pyarelal resulted in some of the most cherished melodies in Indian cinema. With her soprano range and a uniquely emotive expression, she redefined playback singing—moving away from mehfil-style performances to suit both traditional and modern cinematic heroines. She was known for her meticulous diction and emotional depth, and her voice graced the performances of virtually every leading actress from the 1940s through the early 2000s.
Some of her most iconic songs include, "Lag Ja Gale" (Woh Kaun Thi?),"Ajeeb Dastaan Hai Yeh" (Dil Apna Aur Preet Parai), "Tere Bina Zindagi Se" (Aandhi), "Pyar Kiya To Darna Kya" (Mughal-e-Azam), "Tujhse Naraz Nahi Zindagi" (Masoom) .On 27 January 1963, shortly after the Sino-Indian War, Lata performed the iconic patriotic song "Aye Mere Watan Ke Logon"—composed by C. Ramchandra and penned by Kavi Pradeep—in the presence of Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, who was reportedly moved to tears. She was the first Indian artist to perform at the Royal Albert Hall in London in 1974, an
event introduced with poetic grace by actor Dilip Kumar, who said, "Just as the fragrance of a flower has no colour, just as flowing water or the breeze have no boundaries, and just as the rays of the sun have no religious divide, the voice of Lata Mangeshkar is just such a miracle of nature."
Both Madhya Pradesh (1984) and Maharashtra (1992) instituted awards in her honour—testaments to her enduring cultural impact. Lata Mangeshkar received numerous awards and honours throughout her career, including Multiple National Film Awards and Filmfare Awards (she later declined Filmfare Awards post-1970 to encourage younger talent) 1969 Padma Bhushan, 1989 Dadasaheb Phalke Award ,1999 Padma Vibhushan, 2001 Bharat Ratna India’s highest civilian honour.
Lata Mangeshkar passed away on 6 February 2022, at the age of 92, due to complications arising from COVID-19. She was accorded a state funeral, and the nation collectively mourned the loss of its most beloved voice. Reflecting the emotion of the moment, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said:
"In her voice, we hear the soul of India."
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