LATA MANGESHKAR, WHO IS SHE?

Lata Mangeshkar, dubbed the "Nightingale of India," is one of the most talented singers in Indian cinema. Lata Mangeshkar was born on September 28, 1929, in Indore, Madhya Pradesh, to classical vocalist and theatre artist Pandit Deenanath Mangeshkar and Shevanti. Her father began teaching her music when she was a child. Lata began acting in plays written by her father when she was five years old. Meena, Asha, Usha, and Hridaynath, her siblings, are all talented singers and musicians.

Lata Mangeshkar was the singing voice for a slew of Bollywood leading ladies during the course of her nearly eight-decade career. She has appeared in over 5,000 Hindi and 36 regional films, singing over 5,000 songs. She has had a huge influence on Indian film music. Lata has been pushing the boundaries of music with her mind-boggling abilities since 1942. Lata has sung for a variety of actresses over the years, including Madhubala and Priyanka Chopra. She is most recognised for her diverse voice quality, and she has recorded a wide range of CDs (ghazals, pop, etc).

Take a peek at Lata Mangeshkar's career in music.

Her father's unexpected death in 1942 left her with the responsibility of providing for the family. Master Vinayak, a friend of Pandit Deenanath's, looked after the Mangeshkar family and offered her a role in the film Badi Maa. She relocated to Bombay (now Mumbai) in 1949 and began studying Hindustani music with Ustad Aman Ali Khan.

Madan Mohan, R D Burman, the pair Laxmikant-Pyarelal, and A R Rahman are just a few of the famous music directors with whom Lata has collaborated. For 1960s films like Aap Ki Nazron Ne Samjha from Anpadh, Lag Jaa Gale, and Naina Barse Rim Jhim from Woh Kaun Thi?, she paired up with Madan Mohan. Lata has performed almost 700 songs for Laxmikant-Pyarelal, including Naseeb's Mere Naseeb Mein and Asha's Sheesha Ho Ya Dil Ho.

S D Burman recorded songs like Gata Rahe Mera Dil and Piya Tose in Guide (1965).

R D Burman's first and last songs, Chote Nawaab (1961) and Kuch Na Kaho in 1942: A Love Story (1994), were both performed by Lata. Popular tracks from her collaborations with A R Rahman include Luka Chupi from Rang de Basanti (2006) and O Paalanhaare from Lagaan (2001).

The vocalist has provided her voice to a variety of timeless songs over the years, from Pyar Kiya To Darna Kya from Mughal-e-Azam (1960) to Ajeeb Dastaan Hai Yeh, from Dil Apna Aur Preet Parai (1960) to Rangeela Re from Prem Pujari (1970) or even Jiya Jale in Dil Se.

Lata Mangeshkar founded her own record company, LM Music, in 2012. Her most recent release (March 2019) was the song Saugandh Mujhe Is Mitti Ki, which is a homage to the Indian army and India and was composed by Mayuresh Pai.

Awards and accolades

Throughout her eight-decade career, Lata Mangeshkar has garnered numerous prizes and honours. She was the first Indian to perform at the Royal Albert Hall in 1974. She has received numerous awards, including three National Film Awards, 15 Bengal Film Journalists' Association Awards, four Filmfare Best Female Playback Awards, two Filmfare Special Awards, and the Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award. In 1989, Lata Mangeshkar received the Dadasaheb Phalke Award. She was given the Bharat Ratna, India's highest civilian honour, in 2001. In 2007, the French government bestowed the highest civilian honour on her (Officer of the Legion of Honour).

In addition to these achievements, Lata Mangeshkar has the Guinness World Record for being the most recorded performer in the history of Indian music, set in 1974. On her 90th birthday in September 2019, the Indian government honoured her with the Daughter of the Nation award.

"Lata Mangeshkar: A Musical Journey" is a book that tells the tale of her life in music, including her hardships, triumphs, and reign as the Queen of Hindi music from the 1940s to the present day.

Lata Mangeshkar was hospitalised to the Breach Candy Hospital in South Mumbai on November 11, 2019 after complaining of breathing problems. Her status remains severe, according to the latest reports, despite her gradual recovery.