lata mangeshkar biography in malayalam

• Samayam News
• രമ്യ പാണ്ഡിയൻ
• അർജുൻ സുന്ദരേശൻ
• malayalam News
• malayalam cinema
• malayalam songs
• Legend Singer Lata Mangeshkar's 92nd Birthday, Eighty Years Of Music Career, Songs Over 36 Languages, Only One Song In Malayalam

ലതാജി 92ന്‍റെ നിറവിൽ; 36-ലേറെ ഭാഷകളിൽ പാടിയ ഇതിഹാസം, മലയാളത്തിൽ പാടിയത് ഒരേ ഒരു ഗാനം

പതിമൂന്ന് വയസ്സുമുതൽ സംഗീത ലോകത്ത് സജീവമായ ലത മങ്കേഷ്കർ എട്ട് പതിറ്റാണ്ടോളം നീണ്ട സംഗീത ജീവിതത്തിൽ മുപ്പത്തിയാറിലേറെ ഭാഷകളിലായി നാൽപതിനായിരത്തിലേറെ ഗാനങ്ങൾ ആലപിച്ചിട്ടുണ്ട്.

• വീട്ടുകാരോടൊപ്പം ജന്മദിനാഘോഷം
• ദൈവത്തിനും മാതാപിതാക്കൾക്കും നന്ദിയുമായി ലതാജി

Recommended News

ആര്‍ട്ടിക്കിള്‍ ഷോ

• general knowledge

Lata Mangeshkar Biography: Age, Early Life, Family, Education, Singing Career, Net Worth, Awards and Honours, and more

Lata mangeshkar biography: legendary singer lata mangeshkar breathed her last in mumbai's breach candy hospital on 6 february 2022 (sunday) morning. she was 92. she was an indian playback singer and music director. she was one of the most respected playback singers in india. let us have a look at her biography including age, family, education, singing career, awards, honours, etc..

Lata Mangeshkar Biography: Lata Mangeshkar is a big name for music enthusiasts all over the world, and the day marks her 94th birth anniversary. Legendary singer Lata Mangeshkar has recorded songs in over a thousand Hindi films and was one of the best-known and most respected playback singers in India. She had a sweet and captivating voice which is the main reason for her popularity. 

At the age of 13, Lata Mangeshkar started her career in 1942 and has sung over 30,000 songs in various Indian languages. She is considered one of the greatest singers of Indian cinema and received Bharat Ratna, India's highest civilian honour in 2001.

Lata Mangeshkar Biography

Lata mangeshkar biography: age, family, early life, and education.

Legendary playback singer Lata Mangeshkar was noted for her distinctive voice and vocal range that extended over more than three octaves. 

She was born on 28 September 1929 in Indore, India. She was the eldest of five siblings. Her father was Pandit Deenanath Mangeshkar and her mother was Shevanti. His father was a noted Marathi stage personality popularly known as Master Dinanath. 

She was introduced to music at an early age. At the age of 13, she recorded her first song for Vasant Joglekar’s Marathi film Kiti Hasaal. 

Lata Mangeshkar's birth name was "Hema". Later, her parents renamed her name and kept it, Lata, after a female character, Latika, in one of her father's plays, BhaawBandhan. Her siblings' names in birth order are Meena, Asha, Usha, and Hridaynath. All are accomplished singers and musicians. Her educational career is not much known but she proved that a degree is not the only way to earn. She received her first music lesson from her father. When she was five years old, she started to work as an actress in her father's musical plays.  

Related Stories

Women’s Asian Champions Trophy 2024: Full Schedule, Results, and Match Scores

Who Was Birsa Munda? The Tribal Hero Who Fought for Freedom and Justice

Optical Illusion: Spot Which Window Is Bigger? Only Geniuses Pass This IQ Test In 5 Seconds?

Lata Mangeshkar Biography: Singing Career and her Musical Journey

Early career of lata mangeshkar in the 1940s and 50s.

When Lata Mangeshkar was 13 years old, her father died due to a heart attack in 1942 . The owner of Navyug Chitrapat movie company named Master Vinayak or Vinayak Damodar Karnataki took care of them. He was a close friend of the Mangeshkar family. He helped Lata to get started in a career as a singer and actress. 

In 1942 , Lata Mangeshkar sang the song "Naachu Yaa Gade, Khelu Saari Mani Haus Bhaari". It was composed by Sadashivrao Nevrekar for Vasant Joglekar's Marathi movie Kiti Hasaal. The song dropped from the final cut. A small role was also provided by Vinayak in Navyug Chitrapat's Marathi movie Pahli Mangalaa-gaur, she sang "Natali Chaitraachi Navalaai". It was composed by Dada Chandekar. "Mata Ek Sapoot Ki Duniya Badal De Tu" was her first song in Hindi.

As a teenager, she struggled and support her family. She established herself as a playback singer in the Hindi film industry of the 1940s.  She moved to Mumbai in 1945. She started taking lessons from Ustad Aman Ali Khan of Bhindibazaar Gharana in Hindustani classical music. For the movie Aap Ki Seva Mein (1946), she sang the song "Paa Lagoon Kar Jori" which was composed by Datta Davjekar. Also, in Badi Maa (1945) movie, Lata and her sister Asha played minor roles. In this movie, she also sang a Bhajan "Mata Tere Charnon Mein."

In 1948, Vinayak died and music director Ghulam Haider mentored her as a singer. He introduced Lata to producer Sashadhar Mukherjee. She recorded the hit “Uthaye ja unke sitam” in Andaz (1949), and her destiny was sealed. From this point, she gave her musical voice to every major leading lady, representing every generation of Hindi cinema from Nargis and Waheeda Rehman to Madhuri Dixit and Preity Zinta.

Her singing contributed a great deal to the commercial films like Mahal (1949), Barsaat (1949), Meena Bazaar (1950), Aadhi Raat (1950), Chhoti Bhabhi (1950), Afsana (1951), Aansoo (1953), and Adl-e-Jehangir (1955).

She also sang various Raag-based songs for Naushad in films like Deedar (1951), Baiju Bawra (1952), Amar (1954), Uran Khatola (1955), and Mother India (1957).  Her first song for the composer Naushad was Ae Chorre Ki Jaat Badi Bewafa, a duet with G. M. Durrani. The duo, Shankar–Jaikishan, chose Lata for Barsaat (1949), Aah (1953), Shree 420 (1955), and Chori Chori (1956).

Composer S.D Burman before 1957 chose Lata as the leading female singer for his musical scores in Sazaa (1951),  House No. 44 (1955), and Devdas (1955). In 1957, a rift developed between Lata Mangeshkar and Burman and she did not sing his compositions again until 1962.

Singing Career of Lata Mangeshkar in the 1960s, 70s, and 80s

How can we forget the song "Pyar Kiya To Darna Kya" from Mughal-e-Azam (1960). Lata Ji sang this song very beautifully and still, it remains in everyone's heart. It was composed by Naushad and lip-synced by Madhubala. Also, one of my favourite songs "Ajeeb Dastaan Hai Yeh" from Dil Apna Aur Preet Parai (1960) was also sung by Lata Ji very beautifully. It was composed by Shankar–Jaikishan and lip-synced by Meena Kumari.

Two popular bhajans were recorded by Lata Mangeshkar in 1961 namely  "Allah Tero Naam" and "Prabhu Tero Naam", for Burman's assistant, Jaidev. She was awarded her second Filmfare Award in 1962 for the song "Kahin Deep Jale Kahin Dil" from Bees Saal Baad, composed by Hemant Kumar.

Lata Ji sang a patriotic song against the backdrop of the Sino-Indian War in January 1963. The song was "Aye Mere Watan Ke Logo" in the presence of Jawaharlal Nehru, then the Prime Minister of India. It is said that the song brought tears to former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru. The song was composed by C. Ramchandra and written by Kavi Pradeep.

Lata Ji returned to collaborate with S. D Burman in 1963. She then sang in R.D Burman's first film Chhote Nawab (1961), and later in his films such as Bhoot Bungla (1965), Pati Patni (1966), Baharon Ke Sapne (1967), and Abhilasha (1969). 

Various popular songs were also recorded by her namely  "Aaj Phir Jeene Ki Tamanna Hai", "Gata Rahe Mera Dil" (duet with Kishore Kumar) and "Piya Tose" from Guide (1965), "Hothon Pe Aisi Baat" from Jewel Thief (1967), and "Kitni Akeli Kitni Tanhaa" from Talash.

She also continued her association with Madan Mohan and sang beautiful songs including "Aap Ki Nazron Ne Samjha" from Anpadh (1962), "Lag Jaa Gale" and "Naina Barse Rim Jhim" from Woh Kaun Thi? (1964), "Woh Chup Rahen To" from Jahan Ara (1964), "Tu Jahan Jahan Chalega" from Mera Saaya (1966), and "Teri Aankho Ke Siva" from Chirag (1969).

The 1960s also witnessed the beginning of the association of Lata Ji with Laxmikant-Pyarelal, the music director for whom she sang the most popular songs. 

It is said that she sang over 700 songs for the composer duo over a period of 35 years, many of which become hits. She sang for several movies including Parasmani (1963), Mr. X in Bombay (1964), Aaye Din Bahar Ke (1966), Milan (1967), Anita (1967), Shagird (1968), Mere Hamdam Mere Dost (1968), Intaquam (1969), Do Raaste (1969) and Jeene Ki Raah. For this, she got her third Filmfare Award.

She sang several playback songs for Marathi films. And during the 1960s and 1970s, she also sang various Bengali songs. She recorded duets with Kishore Kumar, Mukesh, Manna Dey, Mahendra Kapoor, and Mohammed Rafi in the 1960s. 

Meena Kumari's last film was released in 1972 which featured popular songs like "Chalte Chalte" and Inhi Logon Ne", sung by Lata Ji and composed by Ghulam Mohammed. 

She also recorded various popular songs for S.D Burman's last films like "Rangeela Re" from Prem Pujari (1970), "Khilte Hain Gul Yahaan" from Sharmeelee (1971), and "Piya Bina" from Abhimaan (1973) and for Madan Mohan's last films, including Dastak (1970), Heer Raanjha (1970), Dil Ki Rahen (1973), Hindustan Ki Kasam (1973), Hanste Zakhm (1973), Mausam (1975) and Laila Majnu (1976).

Various songs by Lata Mangeshkar were composed by Laxmikant-Pyarelal and Rahul Dev Burman in the 1970s. Various hit songs are also sung by her with Rahul Dev Burman in the films including Amar Prem (1972), Caravan (1971), Kati Patang (1971), and Aandhi (1975). The two are noted for their songs with the lyricists Majrooh Sultanpuri, Anand Bakshi, and Gulzar.

She won National Film Award in 1973 for Best Female Playback Singer for the song "Beeti Na Bitai" from the film Parichay. It was composed by R.D Burman and written by Gulzar. She also sang Malayalam song in 1974 ""Kadali Chenkadali" for the film Nellu. It was composed by Salil Chowdhury, and written by Vayalar Ramavarma.

She again won National Award in 1975 for the song "Roothe Roothe Piya" from Kora Kagaz, composed by Kalyanji Anandji. She also staged several concerts from the 1970s onwards including various charity concerts. In 1974, her first concert was at the Royal Albert Hall, London and she was the first Indian to do so.

An album was also released by her of Mirabai's Bhajans, "Chala Vaahi Des". Composed by her brother Hridaynath Mangeshkar.

Satyam Shivan Sundaram in 1978 was directed by Rak Kapoor in which lata Ji sang the main theme song "Satyam Shivam Sundaram" which become the hit of the year. 

In the late 1970s and early 1980s , she worked with composers namely  Rahul Dev Burman, son of Sachin Dev Burman, Rajesh Roshan, son of Roshan, Anu Malik, son of Sardar Malik, and Anand–Milind, sons of Chitragupta. In the Assamese language also sung several songs. The song "Dil Hoom Hoom Kare" from Rudaali (1993) made the highest record sales that year.

From the 1980s, she sang for various movies including Karz (1980), Ek Duuje Ke Liye (1981), Silsila (1981), Prem Rog (1982), Hero (1983), Pyar Jhukta Nahin (1985), Ram Teri Ganga Maili (1985), Nagina (1986), and Ram Lakhan (1989). Her song "Zu Zu Zu Yashoda" from Sanjog (1985) was a hit at that time.

In the late 1980s, she also sang for Tamil movies. The biggest hits of Lata ji in 1980s were "Sheesha Ho Ya Dil Ho" in Asha (1980), "Tu Kitne Baras Ka" in Karz (1980), "Kitna Aasan Hai" in Dostana (1980), "Hum Ko Bhi Gham" in Aas Paas (1980), "Mere Naseeb Mein" in Naseeb (1980), "Zindagi Ki Na Toote" in Kranti (1981), "Solah Baras Ki" in Ek Duuje Ke Liye (1981), "Ye Galiyan Ye Chaubara" in Prem Rog (1982), "Likhnewale Ne Likh Dale" in Arpan (1983), "Din Maheene Saal" in Avtaar (1983), "Pyar Karnewale" and "Nindiya Se Jagi" in Hero (1983), "Zu Zu Zu Yashoda" in Sanjog (1985), "Zindagi Har Qadam" in Meri Jung (1985), "Baith Mere Paas" in Yaadon Ki Kasam (1985), "Ungli Mein Anghoti" in Ram Avtar (1988) and "O Ramji Tere Lakhan Ne" in Ram Lakhan (1989).

Some songs were also composed by Bappi Lehri for Lata Ji like "Dooriyan Sab Mita Do" in Saboot (1980), "Baithe Baithe Aaj Aayi" in Patita (1980), "Jaane Kyun Mujhe" in Agreement (1980), "Thoda Resham Lagta Hai" in Jyoti (1981), "Dard Ki Ragini" in Pyaas (1982), and "Naino Mein Sapna" (duet with Kishore Kumar) in Himmatwala (1983).

She also sang hits during the 1980s like "Sun Sahiba Sun" in Ram Teri Ganga Maili (1985) for Ravindra Jain, "Chand Apna Safar" in Shama (1981), "Shayad Meri Shaadi" and "Zindagi Pyar Ka" in Souten (1983), "Hum Bhool Gaye Re" in Souten Ki Beti (1989) for Usha Khanna. Hridaynath Mangeshkar had "Kale Kale Gehre Saye" in Chakra (1981), "Ye Ankhen Dekh Kar", and "Kuchh Log Mohabbat Ko" in Dhanwan (1981), "Mujhe Tum Yaad Karna" in Mashaal (1984), Assamese song "Jonakore Rati" (1986) with music and lyrics by Dr. Bhupen Hazarika, "Jaane Do Mujhe" in Shahenshah (1989) for Amar-Utpal, "Sajan Mera Us Paar" in Ganga Jamuna Saraswati (1988) and "Mere Pyar Ki Umar" in Waaris (1989) for Uttam Jagdish.

 Lata Mangeshkar's Career in 1990s and 2000s

During the 1990s she recorded with various music directors like Anand-Milind, Nadeem-Shravan, Jatin-Lalit, etc. She also launched her own production house in 1990 for Hindi movies which produced the Gulzar-directed movie Lekin..... She won her third National FIlm Award for Best Female Playback Singer for the song "Yaara Sili Sili". It was composed by her brother Hridaynath.

She also sung for almost all the Yash Chopra films. Even A. R Rahman had recorded a few songs with her during this period like "Jiya Jale" in Dil Se.., "Khamoshiyan Gungunane Lagin" in One 2 Ka 4, "Ek Tu Hi Bharosa" in Pukar, "Pyaara Sa Gaon" in Zubeidaa, "So Gaye Hain" in Zubeidaa, etc.

She also released  Shraddanjali - My Tribute to the Immortals in 1994. The main feature of the film is that Lata Ji offers her tribute to immortal singers of the time by rendering a few songs in her voice. She sang "Kuch Na Kaho" for Rahul Dev Burman the last song in 1994 in 1942: A Love Story.

A perfume brand name was also launched named Lata Eau de Parfum in 1999. She was also awarded Zee Cine Award for Lifetime Achievement the same year. She was also nominated as a member of the Rajya Sabha in 1999. 

She was awarded the Bharat Ratna, India's highest civilian honour in 2001.  She also established the Master Deenanath Mangeshkar Hospital in Pune in the same year. It was managed by the Lata Mangeshkar Medical Foundation.

Lata Mangeshkar's Career in the 2010s

She released the album Sarhadein: Music Beyond Boundaries on 12 April 2011. It contains duet Tera Milna Bahut Acha Lage" by Mangeshkar and Mehdi Hassan. She also recorded a song for composer Nadeem-Shravan "Kaise Piya Se" for Bewafaa (2005). Shamir Tandon also recorded a song with her "Tere Hasne Sai Mujheko" for the movie Satrangee Parachute (2011). 

She also recorded a song in her own studio. The song was "Jeena kya hai, jaana maine" for Dunno Y2-Life Is A Moment (2015).

Lata Mangeshkar Biography: Production

She has produced four films:

1953 - Vaadal in Marathi

1953 - Jhaanjhar in Hindi and, co-produced with C. Ramchandra

1955 - Kanchan Ganga in Hindi

Lata Mangeshkar Biography: Awards and Honours

She won several awards and honours and some of them are listed below:

2009 - ANR National Award 

2007 - Legion of Honour  

2001 - Bharat Ratna, India's highest civilian award

1999 - Padma Vibhushan 

1999 - Zee Cine Award for Lifetime Achievements

1999 - NTR National Award 

1997 - Maharashtra Bhushan Award 

1989 - Dadasaheb Phalke Award 

1972, 1974, and 1990 - Three National Film Awards 

15 Bengal Film Journalists' Association Awards

1959, 1963, 1966, and 1970 - Four Filmfare Best Female Playback Awards.

1993 - Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award

1994 and 2004 - Filmfare Special Awards 

1984 - State Government of Madhya Pradesh instituted the Lata Mangeshkar Award of Lata Mangeshkar

1992 - the State Government of Maharashtra also instituted a Lata Mangeshkar Award

1969 - Padma Bhushan 

2009 - She was awarded the title of Officer of the French Legion of Honour, France's highest order

2012 - She was ranked number 10 in Outlook India's poll of the Greatest Indian.

Remembering Lata Didi on her birth anniversary. Her contribution to Indian music spans decades, creating an everlasting impact. Her soulful renditions evoked deep emotions and will forever hold a special place in our culture. — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 28, 2023

She is also a recipient of honorary doctorates from  Sangeet Natak Akademi (1989), Indira Kala Sangeet Vishwavidyalaya, Khairagarh, and Shivaji University in Kolhapur.

Get here current GK and GK quiz questions in English and Hindi for India , World, Sports and Competitive exam preparation. Download the Jagran Josh Current Affairs App .

• When was Lata Mangeshkar awarded with Bharat Ratna, India's highest civilian honour? + Lata Mangeshkar was awarded the Bharat Ratna, India's highest civilian honour in 2001.
• Who wrote the biography of Lata Mangeshkar? + “Lata Mangeshkar- A musical Journey” a book on Lata Mangeshkar was published by author Yatindra Mishra.
• What is Lata Mangeshkar's real name? + The real name of Lata Mangeshkar was Hema Mangeshkar.
• In which year Legendary Singer Lata Mangeshkar was born? + Legendary singer Lata Mangeshkar was born on 28 September 1929 in Indore, Madhya Pradesh.
• Happy Children's Day 2024
• Children’s Day Quotes in Hindi
• US President List 2024
• IPL Retentions 2024
• ICC Champions Trophy 2025
• Jawahar Lal Nehru Quotes
• Bank Holidays in November 2024
• India PM List 2024
• Children’s Day Wishes
• Children’s Day Quotes

Latest Education News

List of Fastest Centuries in T20 International Cricket

Highest T20 Score: List of Top 10 Highest T20 International Scores

BPSC TRE 3.0 Result 2024 at bpsc.bih.nic.in: Here's Steps To Check Teacher Result

Today’s School Assembly Headlines (16 November 2024): Viksit Bharat 2047, Govt committed to zero-error entrance exams India to face South Africa in final T20I and Other News in English

[Latest] T20 इंटरनेशनल में सबसे तेज शतक लगाने वाले बल्लेबाज कौन है? देखें पूरी लिस्ट

Highest T20I Score: T20I के सबसे बड़े टीम स्कोर कौन से है? जानें भारत का टॉप स्कोर

KSET Hall Ticket 2024 Out at cetonline.karnataka.gov.in, Check Steps To Download Admit Card

Meet 10 Rare and Fascinating Animal Species Found Only in India

RRB ALP Admit Card 2024 Link (Soon) at rrbapply.gov.in: Check ALP CBT 1 Exam Date And Lattest Update

UPPSC PCS Prelims 2024 Exam Date Out at uppsc.up.nic.in Direct Link to Download Notice

Picture Puzzle IQ Test: Only 1 in 10 Can Spot the Hungry Person in 9 Seconds! Are You Up for the Challenge?

ट्रेन छूटने पर क्या करें? रेलवे के बनाये इन नियमों का करना होगा पालन, देखें सभी नियम

ट्रेन में स्लीपर और 3rd AC कोच में रात में मिडिल बर्थ खोलने का क्या है समय? जानें यहां

Indian Air Force Agniveer Vayu Exam 2024: परीक्षा के दिन क्या करें और क्या न करें? देखें एग्जाम में ले जाने वाले डॉक्यूमेंट

Delhi Air Pollution: दिल्ली में गंभीर वायु प्रदूषण के चलते GRAP फेज-3 लागू, क्या हुआ बैन और किसकी है अनुमति? देखें यहां

Pragati Scholarship 2024; Last Date Extended Again, Check New Date, Direct Link to Apply Online, Eligibility Etc.

NSP Scholarship 2024; Last Date Extended Again, Check New Date, Direct Link to Apply Online, Eligibility Etc.

CBSE Class 12 Physics 90 Days Study Plan For Board Exam 2025

UPPSC Latest News: Commission Set To Conduct PCS Prelims, RO, ARO Exam in One Day, Single Shift

Top 5 Current Affairs of the Day for Govt. Jobs: 15 November 2024-CISF, Antariksha Abhyas,Cyber Security,Bodoland Mohotsov, Diabetes Day And Others

Lata Mangeshkar Age, Death, Husband, Family, Biography

Some lesser known facts about lata mangeshkar, who is lata mangeshkar.

Lata Mangeshkar was a legendary Indian playback singer. The ‘Queen of Melody,’ who began her career in the 1940s, rose to prominence when she lent her voice to the cult song ‘Ayega Aane Waala’ from the 1949 classic Mahal. Through her melodious voice, she redefined the fabric of Indian music, remaining an inseparable part of it for nearly six decades. By the early 2000s, she had decided to focus on her personal commitments and give younger singers a chance. On 6 February 2022, she passed away, marking the end of an era.

It was not really the external influence that made me a singer. Music was within me. I was full of it.” – Lata Mangeshkar

Named After a Character from Her Father’s Play

When Lata was born, she was named Hema, which her parents later renamed Lata, which was a female character ‘Latika’ in one of her father’s plays, ‘BhaawBandhan.’ Her father, Deenanath, changed the surname of the family from Hardikar to Mangeshkar as he wanted to identify his family with their native town, Mangeshi in Goa.

A rare childhood photo of Lata Mangeshkar

A Huge Fan of K. L. Saigal

As far as I can remember, I always wanted to meet K. L. Saigal. As a child, I used to say that ‘I will get married to him after I grow up’ and that’s when my father explained to me that when I’ll be big enough to get married, Saigal saab will be too old enough to get married.”

Nomadic Childhood

The early life of Lata Mangeshkar is a tale of poverty, hard work, and hard luck. The Maratha heartland of Maharashtra is far away from Indore, where she was born. Her father, Deenanath Mangeshkar, who belonged to Mangeshi in Goa, was a classical singer trained in the colorful Punjabi school of Baba Mushelkar. A theatrical troupe Deenanath owned made him pitch his tent in nearly every town in the state, including Pune, Kolhapur, Satara, Sangli, and Miraj. Lata Mangeshkar, along with her siblings, was roped into a nomadic life by their father’s profession. In the absence of a proper schooling system for his children, Deenanath tried to compensate by injecting them with music lessons at a young age. Lata once said,

The foundation of my musical propensities was laid as early as that.” Lata Mangeshkar (sitting left) with her sisters

Sole Breadwinner

I hated putting on make-up; I hated standing in the glare of lights. But I was the breadwinner of the family, and there was hardly any choice left. The day I went to work in Master Vinayak’s film, there was nothing to eat in the house.” A rare old photograph showing teenage Lata Mangeshkar with young Hridaynath

She also talked about how she missed her childhood as she rose to stardom at an early age. She said,

I missed out on my childhood. I had to work hard, but I was immediately given a place in playback.” Young Lata Mangeshkar

Attended School For Only One Day!

She went to school for only one day. It is said that on the very first day of her school, she brought her younger sister, Asha, and started teaching music to other students and when teachers intervened, she was so furious that she stopped going to the school. In an interview, she talked about her anger issues and said,

I have a fierce temper. I’ve mastered it over the years, but when I’m angry, no one can force me to do anything I don’t want to.” Lata Mangeshkar’s childhood photo

First Public Performance

Initial Career

Arrived in Bombay

Didi was burning the candle at both ends to keep the family going.”

She Would Have Become a Classical Singer

Lata’s first big achievement in Bombay was her meeting with Aman Ali Khan Bhindi Bazarwala, a classical singer, who accepted her as a student; reportedly, A cord was tied around her arm as part of the ceremonial acceptance. After India’s partition, Aman Ali went to Pakistan, and Lata had to find a guru in Amanat Ali, an accomplished singer who went to the same school as Amir Khan. When Amanat Ali died in 1951, Lata’s apprenticeship in classical music ended abruptly. Lata once wistfully said,

Maybe I’d have become a classical singer if Amanat Ali were alive.” Lata Mangeshkar playing the Veena

Rejected For Her ‘Thin’ Voice

After Vinayak’s death, Lata had no fixed income following which she approached a supplier of film extras who later introduced her to Master Ghulam Haidar, a close friend of Amanat Ali and a leading music director of the times. Haidar, who was awed by her range and sweet voice, took her to Filmistan, the Mecca of Bombay’s show business, owned by Subodh Mukherjee. When Ghulam Haidar (music director) introduced Lata to Mukherjee who was making the film ‘Shaheed’ (1948), Mukherjee dismissed Lata’s voice as “too thin” and said that her voice would not match that of the heroine, Kamini Kaushal, the screen siren of the ’40s, to this Haidar responded,

In the coming years, producers and directors would “fall at Lata’s feet” and “beg her” to sing in their movies.”

In an interview, Lata Mangeshkar declared that Ghulam Haidar was her true Godfather who trusted her talent.

Lata Mangeshkar’s mentor Ghulam Haidar

First Breakthrough

On The same day, when Mukherjee rejected her voice, she accompanied Haidar to the studios of Bombay Talkies at Malad, where she was selected to sing for Majboor (1948), and the song ‘Dil Mera Toda, Mujhe Kahin Ka Na Chhora’ from the film became her first breakthrough hit song. She reportedly recorded the song at the 32nd take. While recalling the success of Majboor’s song, Lata said,

I never looked back since then.”

Early Fame and Hectic Schedule

I recorded two songs in the morning, two in the afternoon, two in the evening and two at night.” Lata Mangeshkar in a recording studio

Dilip Kumar Questioned Her Accent

When Naushad introduced her to Dilip Kumar , he teased her for her Marathified Hindi following which she took lessons in Urdu from an Urdu teacher, Shafi. Dilip Kumar recalled the incident over three decades later and said he got embarrassed hearing Lata to pronounce each Hindi and Urdu word with such eloquence that he could not comprehend. He said,

my ears tingled in shame.” Lata Mangeshkar tying Rakhi to Dilip Kumar

She Monopolized the Filmfare Awards

Filmfare Awards were first introduced in 1954, and at that time, the Best Music award was given to a particular song, not to the whole album; however, from 1956, the award was given to the music director for the whole album. When Shankar-Jaikishan won the award in 1957, Lata was not happy as she wanted the awards to include the category of Best Singer. In an interview, she narrated this story and said,

Jaikishan came to see me and said: ‘We’re getting the award so you must sing Rasik Balma at the awards ceremony.’ I said: ‘I won’t sing.’ Then Jaiskishan said, ‘Why won’t you? We’re getting an award.’ And I said, ”You are getting the award, not me. The award is for Best Music. They aren’t giving the award to the singer or lyricist. So why don’t you let your orchestra play the tune without words and singer?’ We had a big fight and he said: ‘How can you talk to me like this? I’m going.’ I said: ‘Very well. Go!’ Then Shankarji came and said: ‘Lataji, he’s naïve and young. Don’t be upset by what he says.’ I explained to Shankarji why I had refused. ‘I won’t sing unless Filmfare introduces awards for playback singers and songwriters. Then I’ll come. Otherwise I won’t.’ These were the kinds of quarrels we had.” Lata Mangeshkar with Shankar Jaikishan

Lata Mangeshkar posing with her Filmfare Award

Oldest Winner of the National Film Award

She Imitated a Singer

Slow poison.

In 1962, I fell very ill for about three months. One day, I woke up feeling very uneasy in my stomach. And then I started throwing up – it was terrible, the vomit was a greenish colour. The doctor came and even brought an x-ray machine home because I could not move. He x-rayed my stomach and said I was being slowly poisoned.”

Her Song Brought Nehru to Tears

Lata, Tumne Aaj Mujhe Rula Diya” Lata Mangeshkar singing Aye Mere Watan Ke Logon at New Delhi’s National Stadium on 26 January 1963

Composer and Producer

Abroad Tours

Lata Mangeshkar performing at London’s prestigious Royal Albert Hall in 1974

Details of a concert of Lata Mangeshkar on the display board of Madison Square Garden in New York

Member of Rajya Sabha

Whether it is a fact that the incidents of derailment of trains on various sections have been on the increase; if so, the number of train derailment incidents since the beginning of the year 2000; the estimated loss suffered by the Railways as a consequence thereof; what measures have been taken by government to prevent such incident?” Lata Mangeshkar outside the Parliament of India

The Madhya Pradesh Government and the Maharashtra Government instituted the ‘Lata Mangeshkar Award’ in 1984 and 1992, respectively.

Lata Mangeshkar Award announced by the Maharashtra government in 1992

Prime Minister Narendra Modi receives the first Lata Deenanath Mangeshkar Award in Mumbai on 24 April 2022

Relevant in Every Generation

Her voice suited to almost every female star, from Madhubala in the 1940s to Kajol in the 1990s, and she sang alongside top male singers, including Mohammed Rafi and Kishore Kumar . She also worked with every leading filmmaker in Bollywood, from Raj Kapoor and Guru Dutt to Mani Ratnam and Karan Johar . Moreover, from roadside vendors to long-distance truckers, and from Army jawans in Ladakh to the glittering elite of Mumbai, Lata Mangeshkar’s voice is considered the one that no Indian can miss.

An auto-rickshaw in Mumbai displaying the versatility of Lata Mangeshkar

In 2012, she again rose her voice to get royalties from recording companies after her songs, owned by recording companies, began appearing on various music albums. She lamented,

What do I get from this? I don’t get any royalty. Now there is internet and the MP3 format.”

Unfulfilled Desires

Daughter of the nation, a different lata.

This may sound strange but when I used to visit America on holiday, I loved spending time in Las Vegas. It’s an exciting city. I really enjoyed playing the slot machines. I never played roulette or cards – but I used to spend the whole night at a slot machine. I was very lucky and won many times.”

Loved Cooking

It was my maternal grandmother and mother who taught me how to cook. I started cooking when I was very young and often made lunch and dinner at home. In later years, Mrs. Bhalji Pendharkar, whom we called Bakula Mausi, taught me how to cook some dishes. She was a dear and close family friend. I called her ‘Ma.’ I was very close to her and often stayed with her. She used to wash my hair and taught me how to make pulao and mutton. And many vegetarian dishes too. Mrs. Majrooh Sultanpuri showed me how to make pasanda and chicken curry.” Lata Mangeshkar (sitting) learning cooking skills from composer Anil Biswas

I cook quickly, and the kitchen is always left neat and tidy after I have finished. The pleasure of cooking isn’t in cooking, but seeing people enjoy the meal and say they have liked what I made for them – that makes me happy. earlier, when I used to spend time in London, I always used to cook there.”

An Outstanding Photographer

My love for photography started in 1946. I was on an outdoor shoot and took a picture of someone who was standing by a river. I became intrigued by photography. I told Madhavrao Shinde, the film editor, about my interest, and he taught me the basics: how to load film and the kind of camera I should buy.” Lata Mangeshkar posing with a camera

I don’t know what I’d have done if I wasn’t a singer. But photography was definitely a feasible option. It’s a pity that the art of clicking pictures has been  replaced by digital photography. People now take all their pictures on their phone. The sheer joy of capturing cameras through the lens of an old fashioned camera is lost.”

A Passionate Cricket Fan

Lata Mangeshkar with the 1983 Cricket World Cup-winning Indian team

Lata Mangeshkar with Sachin Tendulkar

Voice insurance

Last birthday.

On 28 September 2021, her 92nd birthday, which also proved to be her last birthday, she recalled her childhood days and said,

That long journey is with me, and that little girl is still with me. She has not gone anywhere. Some people call me ‘Saraswati’ or say that I have her blessings. They say I am this and that. All this is nothing I believe but the blessings of my parents, our deity Mangesh, Sai Baba, and God.”

It is their blessing that people like whatever I sing. Otherwise who am I? I am nothing. There have been better singers than me, and some of them are not even with us. I am grateful to God and to my parents for whatever I have today.”

The End of an Era

On the morning of 6 February 2022, the world of music came to standstill when the news of Lata Mangeshkar’s demise broke on television sets. On the same day, her last rites were performed at Shivaji Park Crematorium, Mumbai with the full state honour, and it was attended by many dignitaries and celebrities including Shah Rukh Khan , Sachin Tendulkar , and PM Narendra Modi who paid their last tributes to the legendary singer at the crematorium. Later, two-day national mourning was observed for the departed soul. On 10 February 2022, her ashes were immersed in the holy Ramkund on the banks of the Godavari river in Maharashtra.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi (left) and Shah Rukh Khan (right) pay their last tributes to Lata Mangeshkar on 6 February 2022 at Shivaji Park in Mumbai

References/Sources: [ + ]