Swar Saraswati Lata Mangeshkar has left for her heavenly abode post Vasant Panchami. She has left a space in our hearts that can never be filled.
As the nation observes two-day national mourning on her demise, let us remember her for the treasure trove of melodies that she has left behind for us in her career spanning for over seven decades.
The Beginning
Lata Ji was born in 1929, the eldest daughter of Deenanath Mangeshkar, a Marathi and Konkani musician, and his wife Shevanti in Indore. She received her first music lesson from her father. At the age of five, she started to work as an actress in her father’s musical plays.
In 1942, when Mangeshkar was 13, her father died of heart disease. At that time, Master Vinayak, the owner of Navyug Chitrapat movie company and a close friend of the Lata’s family, took care of them. He helped her get started in a career as a singer and actress.
Her first playback song was featured in Navyug Chitrapat’s Marathi movie Pahili Mangalaa-gaur (1942), in which she sang “Natali Chaitraachi Navalaai” which was composed by Dada Chandekar. She also played a small role in the film. Lata Ji’s first Hindi song was “Mata Ek Sapoot Ki Duniya Badal De Tu” for the Marathi film Gajaabhaau (1943). To date, she has recorded songs in over thirty-six Indian languages and few foreign languages.
First Playback Hit
Mangeshkar started training for classical music from Ustad Aman Ali Khan in 1945. Her first major breakthrough came in 1948, when she sang Dil Mera Toda sang for the movie Majboor. Later on in 1949, she sang Aayega Aanewaala (Mahal), which became a superhit song.
Working With Big Names
During the 1950s, Mangeshkar sang for some of the biggest music composers of Bollywood – SD Burman, Naushad, Salil Chowdhury and Madan Mohan. She voiced popular songs for blockbuster movies like Baiju Bawra, Shree 420 and Devdas.
Lata Ji As Music Composer, Movie Producer, & Owner Of Music Label
A very few people know that Lata Mangeshkar was also a music composer. She composed music for the Marathi movie Ram Ram Pavhane (1955). In the 1960s, she used the pseudonym Anand Ghan and composed in a lot more Marathi movies.
In 1990, Mangeshkar launched her movie production company and produced Gulzar’s Lekin, starring Dimple Kapadia and Vinod Khanna.
Finally in 2012, Mangeshkar launched her music label LM Music.
Guiness Book Of World Records
Lata Mangeshkar featured in Guinness Book of World Records for the most number of recordings in the world. However, the listing was a bit controversial.
Etching Her Name In Foreign Land
Mangeshkar became the first Indian artist to perform at the Royal Albert Hall in London in 1974.
In 2004, two songs sung by Lata Mangeshkar featured in Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, starring Jim Carrey and Kate Winslet.
France conferred her with its highest civilian award, Officer of the National Order of the Legion of Honour, in 2007.
One of her songs ‘Tum aa gaye ho nor aa gaya hai’ also featured in Life Of Pi (2012).
Other Accolades
She received several accolades and honors including Dadasaheb Phalke Award was bestowed on her by the Government of India in 1984. In 2001, in recognition of her contributions to the nation, she was awarded the Bharat Ratna, India’s highest civilian honour.
She was the recipient of three National Film Awards, 15 Bengal Film Journalists’ Association Awards, four Filmfare Best Female Playback Awards, two Filmfare Special Awards, the Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award and more.
You will be missed Lata Ji by us and all the generations to come. Rest in peace.