Lata Mangeshkar

Introduction

Lata Mangeshkar was a versatile singer in the Indian film industry. Since she was a young girl, Lata has always been drawn to music. She comes from a Marathi family. Her entire life was spent without marriage. She performed songs for numerous music directors from different genres, and she did each one justice. On February 6, 2022, she passed away.

Early Life

Lata Mangeshkar was born on September 28, 1929, in Indore, British India. A cast in one of her father's dramas, BhasawBhandhan, named Latika inspired her parents to change her name to Lata. Lata was always drawn to music since she was a child. Upon arriving at school, she began trying to teach children songs. After teachers interfered, she stopped attending school.

Having been born into a Hindu Marathi family, she had a father who was an actor, and a classical singer and Lata’s mother was his 2nd wife.

Lata Mangeshkar

Description-Lata Mangeshkar was an Indian playback singer and occasional music composer

At age five, Lata began acting in her father's musical plays. Her father, Deenanath Mangeshkar, taught her the basics of music. Lata's father's great friend, Master Vinayak, took responsibility for her family after her father passed away from coronary heart disease, and assisted her in starting an acting and singing career.

She had three younger sisters and a younger brother, Hridaynath Mangeshkar. Her family's surname was originally Hardikar, but her father altered it to Mangeshkar. She was unmarried but allegedly had a romantic relationship with Bhupen Hazarika.

Singing Career

Mangeshkar's 1st song was “Naachu Yaa Gade, Khelu Saari Mani Haus Bhaari". She had a minor role in Navyug Chitrapat's Marathi film Pahili Mangalaa-gaur, in which she also sang her 1st Hindi song “Mata Ek Sapoot Ki Duniya Badal De Tu” in 1943.

In 1945, she made a shift to Mumbai to study classical music along with Ustad Amanat Ali Khan. In Vinayak's first Hindi film, named Badi Maa (1945). In Badi Maa, the bhajan "Tere Charnon Mein, Maata Tere Charnon Mein” was sung by Lata. In her early days, many composers rejected her on the basis that her voice was too thin. As an answer to this, Ghulam Haider replied, that soon producers would “fall at Lata's feet” and “beg her to sing in their movies.” Mangeshkar sang her first breakthrough song 'Dil Mera Toda, Mujhe Kahin Ka Na Chhora' later under the direction of Ghulam Haider from the film Majboor (1948). At this point in her life, she considered Haider to be her Godfather.

'Ayega Anewala' was the famous song that made Mangeshkar rise to prominence. On-screen this song was performed by the actress Madhubala in the film Mahal. It was a watershed moment in her life because all the top music directors wanted to work with her during that time. She worked with many directors on playback singing.

Lata won the Filmfare award for Best Playback singer for the song from the film Madhumati, known as 'Aaja Re Pardesi'. She also sang for many other successful films in the 1950s like Mother India, Chori Chori, and, Devdas.

She performed songs for many music directors, belonging to various genres, and she did justice to all of them,

• She performed songs like Ajeeb Dastan Hain Yeh

• Bhajans

• Ragas

Collaboration with other Singers

• Lata became the voice behind many of the glamorous actresses of the 1960s. She worked together for various songs with distinguished male playback singers such as Kishore Kumar, MD. Rafi, Mahendra Kapoor, Manna Dey, Hemant Kumar, Mukesh.

• She has also written music for Marathi films.

• Lata has also produced 3 Hindi films, as well as 1 Marathi film.

Controversy

• For seven years, Lata Mangeshkar declined to collaborate with S.D. Burman after he ostensibly took credit for her success.

• The royalty issue caused a schism between Lata Mangeshkar and Mohammad Rafi in 1962. Lata desired a stake in the music albums, whereas Rafi preferred a salary alone.

Illness and Death

In 2022, Lata Mangeshkar was diagnosed with COVID-19 and pneumonia. She recovered from both, but experienced numerous COVID-19 troubles and passed away on February 6, 2023.

Awards and Recognition

• National Award for Best Female Playback Singer for Paricha (1972)

• National Award for Best Female Playback Singer for Kora Kagaz (1974)

• National Award for Best Female Playback Singer for Lekin (1990)

• Filmfare Award for Best Female Playback Singer for Aaja Re Pardesi (1959)

• Filmfare Award for Best Female Playback Singer for Kahin Deep Jale Kahi Dil (1963)

• Filmfare Award for Best Female Playback Singer for Tumhi Mere Mandir Tumhi Meri Pooja (1966)

• Filmfare Award for Best Female Playback Singer for Aap Mujhe Achhe Lagne Lage (1970)

• Padma Bhushan (1969)

• Padam Vibhushan (1990)

• Dada Saheb Phalke Award (1989)

Conclusion

Lata Mangeshkar was a versatile singer in the Indian film industry. Lata has always been drawn to music since she was a child. She was born into a Marathi family. Her entire life had passed her by without marriage. She had three younger sisters and a younger brother. She performed songs for a variety of music directors, and she did them all justice. Furthermore, she died on February 6, 2023.

FAQs

Q1. What were the difficulties in Lata Mangeshkar's life?

Ans. She was forced to shoulder financial responsibility when she was 13, the eldest of her siblings, after losing her father at the age of 13. Vinayak, her mentor, died in 1948, which was devastating to Lata.

Q2. Why didn't Lata get married?

Ans. People wondered why she never married. To that, she responded that God had given her a job to do, and she was very happy with it.

Q3. Why is Lata referred to as Nightingale?

Ans. A great number of Indians regard her as one of the most notable singers of all time. Her eight-decade career in the music world earned her titles like “Queen of Melody,” “Nightingale of India,” and “Voice of the Millennium.”