A Glimpse into Memories- Lata Mangeshkar

The popular song "Apalam Chapalam" from the film Azad, released in 1955, was sung by Lata Mangeshkar, who performed a duet with her younger sister Usha Mangeshkar. Usha gained fame with the song "Main to Aarti Utaaron Re" from the 1975 film Jai Santoshi Maa.

Many may not know that Lata Mangeshkar's birth name was not Lata, but "Hema." Her father named her Lata after a female character, Latika, in his play Bhavbandhan. Her first Hindi song was "Mata Ek Sapoot Ki Duniya Badal De Tu." In January 1963, amidst the backdrop of the India-China war, Lata Ji sang a patriotic song, "Ae Mere Watan Ke Logo," which brought tears to the eyes of former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru.

Throughout her career spanning over six decades, she lent her voice to many leading actresses in Bollywood. Lata Mangeshkar recorded over 5,000 songs in her lifetime, singing in various languages, including Hindi and Marathi.

Lata Mangeshkar: Legacy of India's Nightingale

Her accolades include the Padma Vibhushan, Bharat Ratna, three National Film Awards (in 1972, 1974, and 1990), the Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award (1993), and the Filmfare Special Award (in 1994 and 2004). She also received honorary doctorates from the Sangeet Natak Akademi (1989), Indira Kala Sangit Vishwavidyalaya, Khairagarh, and Shivaji University in Kolhapur. On February 6, 2022, the Nightingale of India, Lata Mangeshkar, passed away, leaving behind a legacy that resonated like the sweet song of a koel, bidding us farewell forever.

By Priyanka Yadav