Nirmal
India has lost its voice, creating a void in the hearts of every Indian that can never be filled. No word can describe and justify what we have lost.
Lata Mangeshkar the “Nightingale of India” the “Queen of Melody” the “Voice of the Millennium” and a superstar singer who gave her voice to hundreds of Bollywood movies for more than 70 years died at the age of 92 on Sunday at Breach Candy Hospital in Mumbai due to multi-organ failure. Bharat Ratna awardee, Lata Mangeshkar accorded full state honours, cremated at Mumbai’s Shivaji Park.
Early Life:
Lata Mangeshkar was born on 28 September 1929 in Indore, Madhya Pradesh. She was the elder daughter of Pandit Deenanath Mangeshkar and Shevanti. Lata’s father was a Marathi musician, classical singer, and theatre actor. Lata first started working as a child artist in her father’s plays. But her singing career started in 1942 at the age of 13, when she recorded her first song for Vasant Joglekar’s Marathi Film “Keerti Hasaal”.
Music Career:
Lata Mangeshkar Ji was one of the most famous and respected playback singers not only in India but in the world. Her voice became the benchmark of purity and excellence. In 1946, Lata Mangeshkar recorded her first playback song for the Hindi film “Aap ki Seva” by Vasant Jogalekar.
Working with some of the most notable musicians of her generation including Anil Biswas, Naushad Ali, Madan Mohan, SD Burman, C Ramachandra Khayyam, Lata Mangeshkar became one of the Hindi cinema’s most popular playback singers. From Kishor Kumar to Mohammed Rafi, she sang along with some great male playback singers.
Achievements:
Her achievements are a long list that cannot be penned down in a few words, lines or even pages.
- Lata Mangeshkar, in 1969 won the Padma Bhushan which is the third-highest civilian award for “distinguished service”.
- In 1974, Lata Ji was the first Indian artist to perform at London’s Royal Albert Hall where she covered her biggest hits over the decades like “Aaja Re Pardesi from “Madhumati”, “Inhin Logon ne” from “Pakeezah”, “Aayega aanewala” from “Mahal” and many others.
- The Guinness Book of Records had listed Lata Mangeshkar as “the most recorded artist in music history” between 1948 and 1974 in its 1974 edition.
- In 1999, Lata Mangeshkar received Padma Vibhushan which is the second-highest civilian award followed by Bharat Ratna -the highest civilian award, in 2001.
- Lata Ji was the recipient of Filmfare, IIFA -Lifetime Achievement Award, Dadasaheb Phalke Award, and other numerous awards she bagged for her contribution to music with her life and career for more than 9 decades.
Inspiration and Contribution to the Music Industry:
Lata Mangeshkar has sung over 50,000 songs in nearly 20 languages in her seven-decade career. She has been an inspiration for a generation of musicians. From Meena Kumari, Madhubala to Madhuri Dixit, Kajol – Lata Mangeshkar has worked with many generations of stars. Her timeless music is a legacy that will be carried through many generations ahead.
Nothing can describe her and her contribution to the music industry than these lines from one of her songs “Naam Gum Jaayega” from the movie ‘’Kinara”, “Naam Gum Jaayega…Chehra ye Badal Jaayega, Meri Awaaz Hi Pehchaan Hai, Gar Yaad Rahe ”.
Kajol took to Twitter said, “If we play her songs one by one, we could hear her for a month and never hear the same song again. Prolific and profound. I mourn with the rest of the country for our nightingale…”. We cannot agree more with her. Lata Ji will never be forgotten nor those soulful songs gifted by her.
If we play her songs one by one, we could hear her for a month and never hear the same song again. Prolific and profound. I mourn with the rest of the country for our nightingale…
My deepest condolences to the family.#LataMangeshkar pic.twitter.com/Dy01l6mbjI
— Kajol (@itsKajolD) February 6, 2022
Though her every creation is a gem, here are twelve of her songs in remembrance of the “Queen of Melody” that can make all of us nostalgic and take us back to old times.
1. Pyaar kiya toh darna kya (1960)
Movie: Mughal-e-Azam
2. Aye mere watan ke logon (1963)
3. Lag jaa gale (1964)
Movie: Wo kaun Thi
4. Aaj phir jeene ki tamanna hai (1965)
Movie: Guide
5. Chalte Chalte (1972)
Movie: Pakeezah
6. Hoton Pe Aisi Baat
Movie: Jewel Thief
7. Tujhse Naraaz Nahi Jindagi
8. Ek Pyaar Ka Nagma Hai (1972)
Movie: Shor
9. Aap Ki Nazron Ne Samjha (1962)
Movie: Anpadh
10. Humko Humise Chura Lo (2000)
Movie: Mohabbatein
11. Mere Khwabon mein (1995)
Movie: Dilwale Dulhania Le Jaayenge
12. Ae Malik Tere Bande (1957)
Movie: Do Aankhen Barah Haath
We shall truly miss her but she will live forever through the exceptional and unforgettable music legacy that she’s left behind.
