Lata Mangeshkar Birthday 2021: The ‘Nightingale of India’ turns 92, have a look at her journey, achievements, latest song & more.
The legendary singer turns 92 on September 28 this year. Her beautiful voice has crowned her with various names like ‘Queen of melody’, ‘Voice of The Nation’, ‘voice of the millennium’.
The all-generation favorite singer has been loved and accepted for her achievements and transformed into a legend for a reason. What made her the ‘queen’ of melody? What were her biggest hits? Here’s all you need to know and more:
A star was born
The eldest daughter of Pandit Deenanath Mangeshkar, Lata Mangeshkar was born in the year 1929 in Indore. She was the eldest of four siblings- Meena Khadikar, Asha Bhosale, Usha Mangeshkar, and Hridaynath Mangeshkar.
Lata Mangeshkar’s singing career
The playback singer has recorded songs in a plethora of Hindi movies and has crooned songs in over 36 languages, singing over 50k songs, 30k alone in the 1960s.
She began her career at the age of nine when she accompanied her father’s theatre company in Sholapur and sang at a concert.
It was only in 1942, after the demise of her father, that Lata was helped by Master Vinayak, owner of the Navyug Chitrapat Movie Company, kickstarted her career as a playback singer and actress.
Her song “Naachu Yaa Gade, Khelu Saari Mani Haus Bhaari”, which was composed by Sadashivrao Nevrekar for Vasant Joglekar’s Marathi movie ‘Kiti Hasaal’ (1942), was dropped from the final cut.
Later on, Vinayak gave her a role in a Marathi movie, ‘Pahili Mangalaa-gaur’ (1942), where she sang “Natali Chaitraachi Navalaai”, composed by Dada Chandekar. Her first Hindi song was “Mata Ek Sapoot Ki Duniya Badal De Tu” for the Marathi film ‘Gajaabhaau’ (1943).
In 1948, after Vinayak’s death, Ghulam Haider mentored her as a singer, introducing her to producer Sashadhar Mukherjee, who rejected Lata’s voice as “too thin”, not knowing that she was to become a legend later on.
Lata Mangeshkar Bengali Career
Lata Mangeshkar has sung over 185 Bengali songs to date. She made her debut in 1956 with ‘Prem Ekbari Esechilo Nirobe’. It was composed by Hemant Kumar. She then sang ‘Rongila Bnashite’, composed by Bhupen Hazarika. It was one of the biggest hits of the 50s.
Her other Bengali hits include songs like “Ekbar Biday De Ma Ghure Ashi,” “Saat Bhai Champa,” “Ke Pratham Kache Esechi,” “Nijhum Sandhyay,” “Chanchal Mon Anmona,” “Asharh Srabon,” “Bolchi Tomar Kaney,” and “Aaj Mon Cheyeche”.
Vishal Bhardwaj and Gulzar to present her unreleased song on her 92nd birthday
One of Lata Mangeshkar’s unreleased songs, namely ‘Theek Nahi Lagta’, which was sung by Lata Mangeshkar in the 90s was never released. It was written by Gulzar and composed by Vishal Bhardwaj.
The duo is all set to present this unreleased song to the ‘Nightingale’ on her 92nd birthday. The song was supposed to be featured for the movie ‘Maachis’ (1996) which never received a green signal, thus leaving the melodious voice of Lata Mangeshkar in the song behind.
Lata Mangeshkar on her latest Twitter:
Namaskar. Aaj mere raakhi bhai Yash Chopra ji ki jayanti hai.Unki har film mein wo chahte the merehi gaane ho, hamesha mujhe kehte the ki tum na mat karna.Mujhe unko sneh tha.Aaj unki bahut yaad aarahi hai. Main unko koti koti pranam karti hun. https://t.co/IRWEisHWzV
— Lata Mangeshkar (@mangeshkarlata) September 27, 2021
10 Best Songs of Lata Mangeshkar
Her song, “Ayega Aanewala”, in the movie ‘Mahal’ (1949), was her first major hit. It was directed by Khemchand Prakash. Others include songs like, ‘Chalte Chalte, ‘Inhee Logo Ne’ from the movie ‘Pakeezah’ (1972)
1- Hothon mein aisi baat (Jewel Thief)
Lata Mangeshkar tagged with Bhupinder Singh in this duet and gained much appreciation for the song as it was so beautifully shot. The film was recorded as one of the best thrillers in Bollywood.
2- Aaj Phir Jeene Ki Tamanna (Guide)
Written by Shailendra and composed by SD Burman, this chart buster was a big hit. The movie was depicted from RK Narayan’s novel ‘Guide’, which revolves around the life of a tourist guide, Raju.
3- Piya Tose (Guide)
Yet another hit from the movie ‘Guide’ was her melodious song, ‘Piya Tose Naina Lage Re’. Picturized by Waheeda Rehman and Dev Anand, the song remains one of the best romantic sings till date.
4- Kora kagaz tha ye man mera (Aradhana)
Crooned by Lata Mangeshkar and Kishore Kumar, this song was a big hit of the 60s.
5- Aap ki Nazron Ne Samjha (Anpadh)
Written by Raja Mehdi Ali Khan, the song was picturized by Mala Sinha and Dharmendra.
6- Mera Saaya Sath Hoga (Mera Saaya)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SoC_ZjGBmmg
This haunting title has been going on for ages. It remains one of the most popular songs till date.
7- Hume Aur Jeenein Ki (Agar Tum Na Hote)
This superhit movie starred Rajesh Khanna, Rekha, and Raj Babbar. This song was sung in three versions- Kishore Kumar, Lata, Mangeshkar, and a duet.
8- Jiya Jale (Dil Se)
This sizzling hit was picturized in Mani Ratnam’s ‘Dil Se’, featuring Preity Zinta and Shahrukh Khan. This is remarked as one of her finest performances.
9- Tujhe Dekha to Ye Jana (Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge)
This is what a blockbuster is made of- DDLJ is a must-watch. Starring people’s favorite Shahrukh Khan and Kajol, the song was an equal hit. This evergreen song is on everyone’s playlist.
10- Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham (K3G)
The title track starring all the big shots of Bollywood has been a family song for decades. Her soulful performance with this is sure to give you goosebumps.
Lata Mangeshkar’s Awards And Recognitions
Lata Mangeshkar has been honored with the Bharat Ratna, India’s highest civilian award, Padma Bhushan (1969), Padma Vibhushan (1999), Zee Cine Award for Lifetime Achievements (1999), Dadasaheb Phalke Award (1989), Maharashtra Bhushan Award (1997), NTR National Award (1999), Bharat Ratna (2001), Legion of Honour (2007), ANR National Award (2009), three National Film Awards and 15 Bengal Film Journalists’ Association Awards. She was bestowed with four Filmfare Best Female Playback Awards.
In 1969, she gave up the Filmfare Best Female Playback Award in order to encourage new talent. She was honored with the Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award in 1993 and Filmfare Special Awards in 1994 and 2004.
