Lata Mangeshkar’s voice is immortal.
Yet if there is one song of hers that perfectly captures tributes to one of India’s most beloved and revered singers, who passed away in a Mumbai hospital yesterday after a near month-long battle with post-Covid complications, it is “Naam gum jayega” from the 1977 movie “Kinara”.
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The song has the lyric “Naam gum jayega, chehara ye badal jayega/ Meri awaaz hi pehchan hai, agar yaad rahe” (My name will be lost, my face will change/ My voice is my identity, only if you can remember).
It is impossible to forget one of India’s greatest cultural icons, whose songs spoke to the emotions of millions in South Asia, regardless of age or background.
This became clearer than ever as Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi led thousands of mourners, many of them in tears, at Mumbai’s landmark Shivaji Park where Bharat Ratna Lata Mangeshkar was cremated with full state honours. Representatives of the army, air force and navy joined others from various walks of life, including cricketer Sachin Tendulkar and Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan among the celebrities, in bidding farewell to her.
At 92, Lata breathed her last in Mumbai’s Breach Candy Hospital where she was undergoing treatment since January 8 after being diagnosed with Covid and exhibiting mild symptoms. She was also diagnosed with pneumonia.
“Lata di died at 8:12am due to multi organ failure after over 28 days since her Covid-19 diagnosis,” Dr Pratit Samdani, who was treating the singer at the hospital, told reporters.
The Indian government declared a two-day national mourning during which the national flag would fly at half-mast. The Maharashtra government announced a public holiday in the state and the West Bengal government half a day’s holiday today as a mark of respect for Lata.
Lata Mangeshkar had a prodigious career spanning almost eight decades during which she sang an estimated 25,000 songs in 36 Indian languages, including Hindi, Bangla, Marathi, Tamil and Kannada, of classical and other genres.
Soon after news of Lata’s death broke, tributes poured in with President Ram Nath Kovind and PM Modi leading a heartbroken nation in remembering her.
“Lata-ji’s demise is heart-breaking for me, as it is for millions the world over. In her vast range of songs, rendering the essence and beauty of India, generations found expression of their inner-most emotions. A Bharat Ratna, Lata-ji’s accomplishments will remain incomparable,” Kovind said.
Modi said he was “anguished beyond words”.
“The kind and caring Lata Didi has left us. She leaves a void in our nation that cannot be filled. The coming generations will remember her as a stalwart of Indian culture, whose melodious voice had an unparalleled ability to mesmerise people,” he said in a tweet.
“Lata Didi’s songs brought out a variety of emotions. She closely witnessed the transitions of the Indian film world for decades. Beyond films, she was always passionate about India’s growth. She always wanted to see a strong and developed India,” he added.
Lata Mangeshkar’s cross-border appeal was evident when Bangladesh President Abdul Hamid, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Pakistan’s Information and Broadcasting Minister Fawad Hussain paid rich tributes.
Considered one of the greatest playback singers in Indian cinema, Lata received several film awards and Indian government’s top civilian honours like Padma Bhushan, Padma Vibhushan, Bharat Ratna (2001), and Dada Saheb Phalke Award, Indian cinema’s highest award, and multiple national film awards.
During her career, she had earned many sobriquets — Queen of Melody, Nightingale of India and simply The Legend. Many, including some the biggest music directors and actors, equated her voice with that of Goddess Saraswati.
Among some of her most popular numbers are “Aye Mere Watan Ke Logon”, which brought tears to the eyes of the then Indian PM Jawaharlal Nehru in 1963.
Born in Indore, Lata Mangeshkar was the eldest child of Deenanath Mangeshkar, a Marathi musician and Gujarati homemaker Shevanti.
The untimely death of her father brought the financial burden of the family on her teenaged shoulders. Family friend Master Vinayak came to the aid of the family and Lata started singing and acting in his father’s theatre company.
Since music was the be-all and end-all of Lata Mangeshkar’s life, it would be apt to wrap up a tribute by recalling the 1966 Hindi film “Mamta” song “Rahen na rahen hum”, the lyrics of which loosely translate to “Whether or not I am here, I will remain as a fragrance in this garden”. Lata’s voice will continue to live long after her death.
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রাজধানীর ভাসমান জনগোষ্ঠীকে টিকা দেওয়া শুরু
রাজধানী ঢাকার ভাসমান জনগোষ্ঠীকে করোনা টিকা দেওয়া শুরু করেছে সরকার। রোববার রাত পৌনে ৮টার দিকে কমলাপুর রেলস্টেশনের ভাসমানদের টিকা দেওয়া হয়।
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Music
There will never be another Lata Mangeshkar
India’s Nightingale passes away at 92
Sadi Mohammad Shahnewaz
Mon Feb 7, 2022 12:00 AM Last update on: Mon Feb 7, 2022 12:00 AM
Lata Mangeshkar was the face of Indian music for over 7 decades.
“I will continue to sing till my last breath. We Mangeshkars are a family devoted to music. Take music away from our lives, and we are nothing.”
Lata Mangeshkar to Indian media in 2018
As celebrations of Saraswati Puja ended, the world incurred the irrevocable loss of the ‘Saraswati’ of music, the next morning.
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Lata Mangeshkar, India’s indomitable songstress, passed away at 8:12 am yesterday at the age of 92, due to post-covid complications.
She left behind a legacy of more than 30,000 songs across 36 different languages.
Intriguingly, that is not why she is considered one of the greatest musicians to ever live – her longevity, exceptional humility, sheer conviction and god-gifted voice made her second to none. For more than 7 decades, she was the top singer in a country, in which music is held in the highest of regards. Her accomplishments had earned her the moniker of “Nightingale of India”.
India declared a two-day national mourning following the news, and its national flag would fly at half-mast.
“I consider it my honour that I have always received immense affection from Lata didi,” wrote Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Twitter. “My interactions with her will remain unforgettable.”
“A great void has been created in the subcontinent’s musical arena with the demise of the Sursamraggi,” said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in her condolence message.
Lata Mangeshkar and Asha Bhosle shared a deep bond, and a friendly rivalry.
Taken on the day of Lata Mangeshkar’s first recording: September 9, 1938. Photo taken from Instagram.
People from all over the world, irrespective of national borders, paid tribute to the songstress on social media. From actors and entertainers to politicians and cricketers, the entire world was heartbroken.
Lata Mangeshkar was born on September 28, 1929 to Marathi musician Pandit Deenanath Mangeshkar and Shevanti in Indore. She was the oldest of her siblings Meena Khadikar, Asha Bhosle, Usha Mangeshkar and Hridaynath Mangeshkar.
Before making a mark as a singer, Lata had faced the camera as an actress. She worked as an actress in over eight films from 1942 to 1948.
Lata Mangeshkar with S D Barman.
Lata Mangeshkar’s debut song ‘Nachu Yaa Gade, Khelu Saari Mani Haus Bhaari’ for Marathi film ‘Kiti Hasaal’ (1942) was dropped from the final cut of the film.
Her first Hindi song was “Mata Ek Sapoot Ki Duniya Badal De Tu” for the Marathi film “Gajaabhaau”, in 1943.
She did not have to look back after that, as she went on to become the top name in the music industries of not just Bollywood, but lent her god-gifted voice to regional films as well. She also directed the music for 5 films.
India’s first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, was in tears after listening to Lata’s rendition of ‘Aye Mere Watan Ke Logon’.
Lata Mangeshkar’s rendition of “Aye Mere Watan Ke Logon, Zara Aankh Me Bhar Lo Pani” moved India’s first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru to tears, in 1962.
Some of her iconic songs are “Lag Jaa Gale”, “Ek Pyar Ka Nagma Hain”, “Ajeeb Dastan Hain Ye”, “Baahon Mein Chaale Ao”, “Meere Khwabon Mein Jo Aayein”, “Kora Kaagaz Tha,” among many others.
Among countless other accolades, Lata Mangeshkar was the recipient of three National Awards, the Padma Bhushan award in the 1969, and the Padma Vibhushan in 1999.
Lata Mangeshkar, on various occasions, had said that if she could, she would keep singing until her last breath. In recent times, the legend had reservations about the direction that Bollywood had taken in terms of music, but kept singing a in other mediums.
Lata Mangeshkar (2nd from right) with her family.
Words will never be enough to encapsulate the legacy of Lata Mangeshkar, as noted by eminent Indian lyricist Javed Akhtar. “If there is anything called perfection, Lata Mangeshkar had achieved it,” he told the media yesterday.
Lata Mangeshker was not just a musician; she was the personification of music. As the world bids goodbye to her physical existence, she can never truly die as an entity, as an institution.
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রাজধানীর ভাসমান জনগোষ্ঠীকে টিকা দেওয়া শুরু
রাজধানী ঢাকার ভাসমান জনগোষ্ঠীকে করোনা টিকা দেওয়া শুরু করেছে সরকার। রোববার রাত পৌনে ৮টার দিকে কমলাপুর রেলস্টেশনের ভাসমানদের টিকা দেওয়া হয়।
১১ ঘণ্টা আগে|শ্রদ্ধাঞ্জলি
বিদায় গানের পাখি…
Music
The voice that inspired millions
Arts & Entertainment Desk
Mon Feb 7, 2022 12:00 AM Last update on: Mon Feb 7, 2022 12:00 AM
Runa Laila with Lata Mangeshkar.
Every year on my birthday, she would send me a sari: Runa Laila
The voice that has inspired millions like me is now singing for the angels in heaven. Over the years, we built up a beautiful relationship of love and mutual respect. We exchanged messages on a daily basis and had long telephone conversations, talking about music in general.
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Every year on my birthday, she would send me a sari. When we spoke last, she told me that I was her younger sister and she loves me very much and respects my talent. I am filled with a sense of desolation and emptiness that will remain with me forever, that I won’t hear that lovely voice again, saying Runa ji Aap kaisi hain? (How are you dear Runa?)”. I shall cherish your blessings and love till the end, Saraswati Maa. My Didi.
I could not sing in front of her: Sabina Yasmin
S D Burman had come to the Bangladesh Film Festival in India, and asked me to perform. When I saw Lata Mangeshkar in the hall, I immediately froze, as I could not believe that I was seeing her in person. I could not bring myself to sing in front of her.
Nonetheless, I performed, and she listened attentively. She smiled at me, and blessed me afterwards. I will never forget that day.
I will always regret for not being able to meet her in person: Ferdausi Rahman
I doubt we will have another great artiste like her in this continent ever again. She won the hearts of people of all ages. She had such a melodious voice. Although I have visited Mumbai numerous times, I never got to meet her. I will always regret not meeting her in person.
She was really lucky to receive love from millions of people during her lifetime.
My mother and I listened to her songs every afternoon: Alif Alauddin
Celebrating 400 years of Kolkata, I went to the city with my parents, and Lata Mangeshkar also attended the occasion. Runa Laila and Bhupen Hazarika along with Abbu (Alauddin Ali), were invited among others at the Kolkata Stadium.
My mother was very excited, as we were staying at the same hotel as Lata Mangeshkar. She called me close to her, and took a picture with me. I was amazed with the respect my parents paid to her. My mother and I listened to her songs every afternoon. Thank you, for all the memories.
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রাজধানীর ভাসমান জনগোষ্ঠীকে টিকা দেওয়া শুরু
রাজধানী ঢাকার ভাসমান জনগোষ্ঠীকে করোনা টিকা দেওয়া শুরু করেছে সরকার। রোববার রাত পৌনে ৮টার দিকে কমলাপুর রেলস্টেশনের ভাসমানদের টিকা দেওয়া হয়।
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Music
An unparalleled career: Interesting facts about Lata Mangeshkar
Although Lata Mangeshkar’s importance in the world of music can be talked about for days on end, her greater legacy was that of a humble artiste, whose passion for her craft was unparalleled. That being said, let us look at some interesting facts about her career.
Arts & Entertainment Desk
Mon Feb 7, 2022 12:00 AM Last update on: Mon Feb 7, 2022 12:00 AM
Lata Mangeshkar was the first Indian artiste to perform at the Royal Albert Hall, London.
A perfume launched in honour of Lata Mangeshkar, in 1999.
1. Lata Mangeshkar’s first recorded song was “Naachu Yaa Gade, Khelu Saari Mani Haus Bhaari” in 1942 for the Marathi movie, “Kiti Hasaal.” However, the song was removed from the film’s final cut.
2. Her last recorded song was “Saugandh Mujhe Is Mitti Ki”. It was a tribute to the Indian Army, and it was released on March 30, 2019.
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3. Lata Mangeshkar’s last full album was from the film, “Veer-Zaara”, in 2004. In the movie, she lent her voice to songs like “Tere Liye”, “Aisa Des Hai Mera”, and “Yeh Hum Aa Gaye Hain Kahaan”, among others.
4. The Guinness Book of Word Records’ 1974 edition listed Lata Mangeshkar as the artiste with the most recordings. However, Mohammed Rafi, contested the claim. As a result, her entry was removed in 1991 until 2011, when Guinness listed Lata’s sister Asha Bhosle as the most recorded artiste. Currently, Pulapaka Susheela holds the record.
5. Lata Mangeshkar made her movie debut in the Marathi film, “Pahili Mangalaa-gaur” in 1942, at the age of 13. She essayed the role of the younger sister of the lead actress, Snehprabha Pradhan.
6. Honouring the legendary singer, a special perfume was created in 1999, which was called the “Lata Eau de Parfum”. It has a mixture of 78 different essences, with hints of a floral scent.
7. The legendary singer received 25 rupees as her first salary, for singing on stage.
8. Lata Mangeshkar’s breakthrough song was “Aayega Aanewala”, picturised on Madhubala, in the film, “Mahal”.
9. She once said while speaking to Bollywood Hungama that she does not listen to her own songs as if she did, she would find a hundred faults in her singing.
10. Lata Mangeshkar was the first ever Indian to perform in the prestigious Royal Albert Hall, London. The government of France feted her with the ‘Officer of the Legion of Honour’ in 2007, which is the country’s highest civilian award.
11. The veteran artiste sang on the radio for the first time in December 16, 1941. Since then, she had recorded over 30, 000 songs in 36 languages.
Lata Mangeshkar with Raj Kapoor
12. In September 2021, celebrated filmmaker and composer, Vishal Bhardwaj, treated fans by releasing an unreleased track by her, titled, “Theek Nahi Lagta”. Recorded in the 90s, the song was written by Gulzar, and later got shelved.
13. Ritu Nanda, Raj Kapoor’s daughter, revealed that Lata Mangeshkar was the inspiration behind his film, “Satyam Shivam Sundaram”, and he wanted to cast her in the film.
14. Lata Mangeshkar launched her music label, LM Music, in 2013. By this time, she had thousands of songs in several Indian languages, from Punjabi to Tamil, Bengali, and across genres from Gurbani to ghazals, qawwalis, and classical compositions.
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কোকিলকণ্ঠী লতা মঙ্গেশকর ভারতীয় উপমহাদেশের সংগীতভক্তদের সুরের মায়াজালে বেঁধে রেখেছিলেন দীর্ঘ ৭ দশকেরও বেশি সময় ধরে। শাস্ত্রীয় সংগীত থেকে শুরু করে রোমান্টিক গান, এমনকি ভজনও গেয়েছেন তিনি। সব ধরনের…
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Music
When Lata Mangeshkar sang for Bangladesh
এই খবরটি বাংলায় পড়তে…
Pallab Bhattacharya, New Delhi
Sun Feb 6, 2022 06:28 PM Last update on: Sun Feb 6, 2022 10:37 PM
Lata Mangeshkar and Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. Photo: Collected
Legendary playback singer Lata Mangeshkar, who passed away in Mumbai today, played a key role in mobilising funds and international opinions in favour of Bangladesh’s Liberation War in 1971 by travelling to different cities in Indian Air Force planes.
She sang the song “O Dadabhai”, composed by Salil Chowdhury for the film “Raktakto Bangla”, which was released in December 1972. It is the only song sung by Lata Mangeshkar in Bangladeshi films. Directed by Mumtaz Ali, the movie starred Biswajit Chatterjee, Kabori, and Golam Mustafa, among others.
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The funds raised at musical events where Lata Mangeshkar performed across India were channelised for the upkeep of refugees who had crossed over to India from Bangladesh during the war.
Lata Mangeshkar shared an anecdote about visiting Bangladesh on Twitter, in 2019.
She reminisced about coming to the country soon after the liberation. She delighted the audience with her melodious musical performances.
“Namaskar. As soon as the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War ended, we went to Bangladesh and we did several events with (Bollywood actor) Sunil Dutt’s group. At the time, we used to commute all around by Army planes,” she tweeted.
Lata Mangeshkar was part of an Indian cultural delegation that called on Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and his family in Dhaka in 1972. Others in the delegation were actress Wahida Rehman, a young Sanjay Dutt and his father, actor Sunil Dutt.
West Bengal’s music fraternity paid rich tributes to legendary singer Lata Mangeshkar who collaborated with some top music directors like Sachin Deb Burman, Hemanta Mukherjee and Salil Chowdhury not only to produce memorable songs in Hindi but also in Bangla.
Mangeshkar, who sang close to 185 songs in Bangla, is remembered by her fans in Bangladesh for classics such as “Akash Prodip Jwole”, under the direction of Satinath Mukherjee and “Prem Ekbar Esechhilo Nirobe”, composed by Hemanta Mukherjee.
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কোকিলকণ্ঠী লতা মঙ্গেশকর ভারতীয় উপমহাদেশের সংগীতভক্তদের সুরের মায়াজালে বেঁধে রেখেছিলেন দীর্ঘ ৭ দশকেরও বেশি সময় ধরে। শাস্ত্রীয় সংগীত থেকে শুরু করে রোমান্টিক গান, এমনকি ভজনও গেয়েছেন তিনি। সব ধরনের…
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রাজধানীর ভাসমান জনগোষ্ঠীকে টিকা দেওয়া শুরু
Music
India observing two-day national mourning in Lata Mangeshkar’s memory
Arts & Entertainment Desk
Sun Feb 6, 2022 02:30 PM Last update on: Sun Feb 6, 2022 02:52 PM
Photo: Collected
Legendary Indian singer Lata Mangeshkar passed away in Mumbai earlier today, at the age of 92 due to multi-organ failure. The versatile singer, christened the Nightingale of India, had lent her voice to thousands of songs in 36 languages in a career spanning almost eight decades. Leading personalities from all walks of life paid rich tributes to her.
The Indian government announced that she will be laid to rest with full state honours today at Mumbai’s Shivaji Park. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will also visit Mumbai to pay homage to the singer. As a mark of respect to the Bharat Ratna awardee, two-day national mourning have also been announced. The National Flag will fly at half-mast for two days and there will be no official entertainment.
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Lata Mangeshkar was conferred with three National Awards, and was awarded the Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 1989. In 2001, she was awarded the Bharat Ratna for her contribution to the arts, thereby becoming the second vocalist to receive this honour apart from late Carnatic music giant M S Subbulakshmi. She was also honoured with the Padma Vibhushan and Padma Bhushan.
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কোকিলকণ্ঠী লতা মঙ্গেশকর ভারতীয় উপমহাদেশের সংগীতভক্তদের সুরের মায়াজালে বেঁধে রেখেছিলেন দীর্ঘ ৭ দশকেরও বেশি সময় ধরে। শাস্ত্রীয় সংগীত থেকে শুরু করে রোমান্টিক গান, এমনকি ভজনও গেয়েছেন তিনি। সব ধরনের…
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রাজধানীর ভাসমান জনগোষ্ঠীকে টিকা দেওয়া শুরু
Music
I could not bring myself to sing in front of her: Sabina Yasmin
Shah Alam Shazu
Sun Feb 6, 2022 01:06 PM Last update on: Sun Feb 6, 2022 01:09 PM
The world mourns the loss of musical legend Lata Mangeshkar, irrespective of nationality. Eminent Bangladeshi singer Sabina Yasmin is also shocked at her passing.
“What can I even say about such a great artiste? I am speechless, I am hurt” she says. “Saraswati Puja was celebrated the day before, and now she left. We lost the Saraswati of music!”
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Sabina Yasmin fondly recalls her meeting with the legend, during the Bangladesh Film Festival in India. “S D Burman was there, and he asked me to sing a song, and I complied,” says Sabina, who saw Lata Mangeshkar enter when she was about to sing a second song. “I immediately froze; I could not believe that I was seeing her in person. I could not bring myself to sing in front of her.”
The singer, through her nervousness, mustered up the courage to sing in front of ‘Saraswati’ herself. “She listened to me sing in immense concentration, and then smiled and blessed me. I will never forget that day.”
