Lata Mangeshkar- “Nightingale of India” Or “The Nightingale of Bollywood”. A Short Biography

 

Lata Mangeshkar is a legendary Indian playback singer and music director who has recorded songs for over a thousand Hindi films. Lata Mangeshkar, was born on September 28, 1929, in Indore and is considered to be one of the most versatile and iconic singers in the history of Indian music.

She started her career in 1942 as a playback singer in the Marathi film “Kiti Hasaal”. In the 1950s and 1960s, she emerged as the leading female playback singer in the Indian film industry, and her voice became synonymous with the “golden era” of Hindi film music. She has lent her voice to some of the most memorable and iconic songs in Indian cinema, including “Aayega Aanewala” from the film “Mahal” (1949), “Lag Ja Gale” from the film “Woh Kaun Thi?” (1964), “Tere Bina Zindagi Se” from the film “Aandhi” (1975), and many others.

In addition to Hindi, Lata Mangeshkar has also recorded songs in several other Indian languages, including Marathi, Bengali, Tamil, Telugu, and Kannada. She has won numerous awards for her contributions to Indian music, including the Bharat Ratna, India’s highest civilian award, and the Padma Bhushan, the third-highest civilian award.

Lata Mangeshkar is an iconic figure in Indian music, and her contributions to the industry have been immense. Her voice is still beloved by millions of people around the world, and her legacy continues to inspire generations of aspiring singers.

 

 

 

Early Life: 

 

Lata Mangeshkar was born in Indore, Madhya Pradesh, on 28 September, 1929,. Her father, Pandit Ji Deenanath Mangeshkar, was a classical singer and theater actor. Her mother, Shevanti, was also a singer. Lata was the eldest of five siblings, which included three younger sisters and a younger brother.

Growing up, Lata was exposed to music from an early age, as her father encouraged his children to learn music and perform. She started singing and performing in public at a young age, and her father was her first music teacher.

However, Lata’s childhood was marked by tragedy and hardship. Her father passed away when she was just 13 years old, leaving the family in financial difficulties. Lata had to take on various odd jobs to support her family, including acting in films and singing in radio shows. Her younger sister Asha Bhosle also became a playback singer in the Indian film industry.

Despite these challenges, Lata continued to pursue her passion for music, and her talent and hard work eventually paid off, as she went on to become one of the most successful and beloved singers in the history of Indian music.

 

Education: 

 

Lata Mangeshkar’s education was limited due to her early involvement in music and the financial struggles her family faced after her father’s death. She attended a local school in Indore but had to drop out in the 8th grade due to financial difficulties.

Despite not having a formal education, Lata was a voracious reader and had a deep interest in literature, poetry, and philosophy. She also had a great passion for learning music and received extensive training in Indian classical music from various renowned music teachers.

Lata’s dedication to music and her talent as a singer eventually led to her becoming a playback singer in the Indian film industry, where she recorded songs for over a thousand films. While she did not have a formal education in music, her mastery of the art and her contribution to Indian music have earned her numerous accolades and awards, including honorary doctorates from several universities.

 

Personal Life: 

 

Lata Mangeshkar never been married and has no children. She always kept her personal life private, and so very little is known about her relationships and family life.

Lata is known to be a very private and reserved person, who is deeply committed to her work and her art. She is known to be a perfectionist and has always maintained a high level of professionalism in her work.

In her free time, Lata enjoys reading, cooking, and spending time with her family and close friends. She is also known to be a philanthropist and has been actively involved in various charitable and social causes, including education and healthcare.

Despite her fame and success, Lata Mangeshkar remains humble and grounded, and is greatly respected and admired by her fans and peers in the Indian music industry.

 

Hobbies: 

 

Lata Mangeshkar has several hobbies, including reading, cooking, and gardening. She is known to be an avid reader and has a deep interest in literature, poetry, and philosophy. She has also written a book called “Lata Mangeshkar: Aaj Bhi Zinda Hain” which is a collection of her thoughts, reflections, and memories.

Lata also enjoys cooking and is known to be a skilled cook, especially in traditional Maharashtrian cuisine. She often cooks for her family and friends and has even shared some of her favorite recipes in interviews and on social media.

In addition, Lata is fond of gardening and is known to have a green thumb. She has a beautiful garden at her home in Mumbai, where she grows a variety of plants and flowers.

Despite her busy schedule, Lata makes time for her hobbies and finds them to be a source of relaxation and rejuvenation.

 

 

Singing Career:

 

Lata Mangeshkar, born on September 28, 1929, is a legendary Indian playback singer with a career spanning over seven decades. She is widely regarded as one of the greatest and most versatile singers in the history of Indian cinema.

Mangeshkar’s singing career began in 1942, when she was just 13 years old. Her first song, “Naachu Yaa Gade, Khelu Saari Mani Haus Bhaari,” was composed by Master Vinayakbua and recorded for the Marathi film “Kiti Hasaal” (1942). However, it was her song “Aayega Aanewala” from the film “Mahal” (1949) that catapulted her to fame and established her as a leading playback singer in the Indian film industry.

Throughout her career, Mangeshkar has recorded songs in various Indian languages, including Hindi, Marathi, Bengali, Gujarati, Kannada, Tamil, and Telugu. She has collaborated with many of India’s most renowned music directors, including Naushad, S.D. Burman, R.D. Burman, and A.R. Rahman, among others.

Over the course of her career, Mangeshkar has recorded over 25,000 songs, won numerous awards, including the Bharat Ratna, India’s highest civilian award, and has been recognized as one of the most influential voices in Indian music history.

 

Bengali Career: 

 

Lata Mangeshkar, the legendary Indian playback singer, has also made significant contributions to the Bengali music industry throughout her career. Some of her Bengali songs include:

1. “Ei Korechho Bhalo”: This song from the film “Sagarika” (1956) was composed by Hemant Kumar and is one of Lata Mangeshkar’s most popular Bengali songs.
2. “O Sona Byang”: This song from the film “Kanchenjungha” (1962) was composed by Satyajit Ray and features Lata Mangeshkar’s soulful rendition.
3. “Jodi Tor Dak Shune”: This iconic song, originally composed by Rabindranath Tagore, has been covered by many artists over the years, but Lata Mangeshkar’s version remains one of the most popular and beloved.
4. “Tomar Holo Shuru”: This song from the film “Harano Sur” (1957) was composed by Hemant Kumar and is another one of Lata Mangeshkar’s most famous Bengali songs.
5. “Amar Moner Koner Baire”: This romantic duet from the film “Bon Palashir Padabali” (1973) was composed by Salil Chowdhury and features Lata Mangeshkar and Manna Dey.

Lata Mangeshkar’s contribution to the Bengali music industry has been immense, and her voice continues to be celebrated by fans and music lovers in Bengal and beyond.

 

Awards And Recognition: 

 

Lata Mangeshkar, the legendary Indian playback singer, has won numerous awards and recognitions throughout her illustrious career, some of which include:

• Bharat Ratna: She was awarded the Bharat Ratna, India’s highest civilian award, in 2001 for her contribution to Indian music and culture.
• Dadasaheb Phalke Award: In 1989, Lata Mangeshkar was honored with the Dadasaheb Phalke Award, the highest award in Indian cinema, for her contribution to the film industry.
• Padma Bhushan: In 1969, Lata Mangeshkar was awarded the Padma Bhushan, the third-highest civilian award in India, for her contribution to music.
• Padma Vibhushan: In 1999, Lata Mangeshkar was awarded the Padma Vibhushan, the second-highest civilian award in India, for her contribution to music.
• National Film Awards: Lata Mangeshkar has won the National Film Award for Best Female Playback Singer four times for the films “Parichay” (1972), “Lekin” (1990), “Yash Chopra’s Darr” (1993), and “Jab Pyaar Kisise Hota Hai” (1998).
• Filmfare Awards: Lata Mangeshkar has won the Filmfare Award for Best Female Playback Singer a record eight times and has been nominated 28 times.
• Guinness World Record: In 1974, Lata Mangeshkar was featured in the Guinness World Records book for having recorded the most number of songs in the world.

These awards and recognitions are a testament to Lata Mangeshkar’s exceptional talent and the immense impact she has had on Indian music and culture.

 

Music Direction: 

 

In addition to being a playback singer, Lata Mangeshkar has also worked as a music director in a few films. She composed music for the Marathi film “Kiti Hasaal” in 1942, which was also her debut film as a singer.

Lata went on to compose music for several other films, including “Sadhi Manase” (1959), “Rustom Sohrab” (1963), and “Lekin…” (1990). Her work as a music director was well-received, and she was appreciated for her ability to create beautiful melodies and arrangements.

Despite her success as a music director, Lata continued to focus primarily on her career as a playback singer, which remains her most significant contribution to Indian music.

 

Last Album: 

 

Lata Mangeshkar’s last album was titled “Mein Khayal Hoon Kisi Aur Ka,” which was released in 2020. The album is a collection of ghazals, a form of Urdu poetry that is often set to music, and features Lata’s soulful voice accompanied by simple and elegant musical arrangements.

The album was produced by Lata’s younger brother, music composer Hridaynath Mangeshkar, and received critical acclaim for its beautiful melodies and heartfelt lyrics. The album was also a commercial success, with fans and music lovers eagerly awaiting its release.

While Lata has announced her retirement from singing, she continues to be a beloved figure in Indian music, and her contributions to the industry have left an indelible mark on the mind and hearts of millions of music lovers all over the world.

 

Relation with Co-singers: 

 

Lata Mangeshkar has had a long and illustrious career in the Indian music industry, and over the years, she has worked with many talented singers and musicians. Lata has been known for her professionalism and dedication to her craft, and she has always maintained cordial relations with her co-singers and collaborators.

She has collaborated with several legendary singers, including Mohammed Rafi, Kishore Kumar, Mukesh, Asha Bhosle, and many others. While there have been rumors of rivalries and competition between Lata and some of her co-singers, Lata has always maintained that she has great respect and admiration for all her colleagues in the industry.

Lata has often spoken about her collaborations with other singers, and has described her working relationships with them as professional and friendly. She has also spoken about the importance of mutual respect and cooperation in the music industry, and has encouraged young musicians to work together and learn from each other.

Overall, Lata Mangeshkar has been a unifying force in the Indian music industry, and her collaborations with other singers and musicians have helped to create some of the most iconic and memorable music in Indian cinema.

 

Illness And Death: 

 

Lata Mangeshkar is still alive as of my knowledge cutoff date of September 2021. However, in November 2019, she was admitted to a hospital in Mumbai due to breathing difficulties, and she remained there for several weeks. She was eventually discharged from the hospital and was reported to be in stable condition.

In the past, Lata has also faced health issues such as a bout of pneumonia in 2008 and a chest infection in 2012, which forced her to cancel some of her public appearances and performances.

Despite her health issues, Lata has always been a fighter and has bounced back stronger each time. She continues to be an inspiration to her fans and supporters, and her contributions to Indian music are a testament to her talent and dedication.

On 8 January 2022, Lata Mangeshkar was hospitalized due to an illness. The 90-year-old singer was admitted to the Breach Candy Hospital in Mumbai on November 11 and was in critical condition. She tested positive for COVID-19. She was suffering from viral chest congestion, and her condition worsened. Her family members, including her sister Usha Mangeshkar, had been by her side since she was admitted. She remained in ICU with signs of marginal improvement. But she died on 6 February 2022 from multiple dysfunction syndrome.

 

Controversies: 

 

Lata Mangeshkar, like many public figures, has had her share of controversies throughout her career. Here are some notable ones:

• Singing for Pakistani films: In 2004, Lata faced criticism for singing a song for the Pakistani film “Sarhad Paar.” The controversy arose due to tensions between India and Pakistan at the time, and some people accused Lata of being unpatriotic for collaborating with Pakistani artists.
• Copyright infringement: In 2006, Lata and her sister Asha Bhosle were accused of copyright infringement by music director Aadesh Shrivastava. Shrivastava claimed that the sisters had used one of his compositions without his permission, which they denied. Eventually the case was eventually settled out of court.
• Remarks on Ranu Mondal: In 2019, Lata faced criticism for her comments on singer Ranu Mondal, who had become famous after a video of her singing Lata’s song went viral. Lata said that it was important for singers to receive proper training and that relying on social media for fame was not a good idea. Some people felt that Lata’s comments were harsh and insensitive.
• Political affiliations: Over the years, Lata has been associated with the right-wing political party, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which has also been a source of controversy. Some people have accused Lata of using her influence to promote a particular political agenda, while others have defended her right to express her political beliefs.

It is important to note that Lata Mangeshkar has also been a source of inspiration and positivity for many people, and her contributions to Indian music have far outweighed any controversies she may have faced over the years.

 

Conclusion:

 

In conclusion, Lata Mangeshkar is one of the most iconic and legendary singers in the Indian music industry. Her career spanned several decades, during which she contributed to the development of Indian music and cinema with her exceptional talent and dedication.

Lata’s remarkable voice, versatility, and professionalism have won her numerous accolades and awards, including the Bharat Ratna, India’s highest civilian honor. She has also collaborated with many of the most talented singers and musicians in the industry, and her music continues to inspire and entertain people all over the world.

While Lata has faced some controversies over the years, her contributions to Indian music and her status as a cultural icon remain undiminished. Her legacy will continue to inspire generations of musicians and music lovers, and she will always be remembered as one of the greatest singers of all time.