World Music Day 2025: The Power of Voice, Exploring the Depths of Yoga and difference between Chanting and Singing through the Wisdom of Lata Mangeshkar

In those days, Yoga was not thought as an exercise, it was a way of meditation, which was mostly thought done for salvation or for some power by Sanyasis and Gurus in ancient Bharat, but slowly with the enlightenment, Yoga got prominancy in daily way of living.

I still remember the day I went to meet Lata Mangeshkar at her Prabhu Kunj residence in Peddar Road. The building looked ordinary from the outside, but inside there was a quiet magic in the air. It was many years ago, but her sweet voice, her sunshine smile and her words still resonate in my heart.
I had come with an appointment and she welcomed me, her presence both humble and powerful.

We sat in her living room, sunlight gushing in through the window curtains. I asked her about singing, life and the secrets behind her evergreen voice. Our talk drifted from songs to the way of singing. She said, 'To sing for years, you must learn to breathe from your belly, not your chest. This is called diaphragmatic breathing. It gives power and control to your voice.' She smiled and said she practised it every day like yoga. "Breath is life in music,' she said, 'and in yoga too. Both are about connecting with your inner self".

Our talk got to a deeper level and I asked her, "what is the difference between Mantra chanting and Mantra singing?"

She looked at me, a bit surprised, "will you understand? I doubt. This may not be your age to really question such deep techniques."

But I kept insisting, and then what she said was like a kundlini jagriti magic.
She said, "Both  mantra chanting and  mantra singing are important parts of our spiritual and cultural traditions. However, there is a big difference between the two, especially in how they affect our body and mind .
When we talk about mantra chanting, we mean repeating certain words or sounds in a steady, rhythmic way. For example, the famous 'Om' or 'Aum' sound is often chanted in yoga and meditation. When you chant 'Om', you feel vibrations in your chest, throat, and even your brain . This vibration is not just a feeling, it actually has a positive effect on your body. According to ancient Indian wisdom, our body has 72,000 'nadis' or nerves. When we chant mantras, the sound vibrations travel through these nerves, relaxing the mind and energizing the body.

Mantra singing, on the other hand, is different. Singing involves melody and music. When you sing a mantra, you focus more on the tune and less on the vibration of the words. For example, if you sing the mantra 'Om Namah Shivaya' in a musical way, it sounds beautiful, but you may not feel the deep vibration in your body as you do when you chant it slowly and steadily with a particular uchharan (pronouncation)"

Lata ji, took a deep breath and continued," The main reason for this difference is how we use our voice. A rhythmic steady tone is usually used when chanting, and the focus is on the sound from our throat, nabhi (belly button) and its effect on the body. A variety of tones are used in singing, and the focus is more on the tune. When you chant, your vocal cords and the air in your body vibrate in a particular way, creating a resonance that can be felt physically. This is why chanting is sometimes called 'sound exercise' for the body."

I asked her if she could give an example, she looked very interested on this issue and said," Let's take an example. When you chant the sound 'NGM', you will feel a buzzing or humming sound in your head and chest. This vibration is believed to stimulate the nerves and help with relaxation and concentration. But if you sing the same sound like 'GAM', the vibration is lost, and it just becomes a musical tone. Some common mantras that are often chanted include 'OM', 'Om Namah Shivaya', the 'Gayatri Mantra', and the 'Mahamrityunjaya Mantra'. When you chant these mantras, you are not just speaking words, you are creating powerful vibrations that can help calm your mind, reduce stress, and bring peace."
I told her," but people think that this is an ancient practice by Yogis, Sanyasis and Gurus - - - - "
She immediately interrupted, " No, Modern science also supports this idea. Studies have shown that chanting can slow your heart rate, lower blood pressure, and make you feel more relaxed. The vibrations produced by chanting can also help improve your mood and mental health. chanting is like giving your body and mind a gentle massage from the inside. It uses our body's power of sound vibrations to heal and energize. Singing mantras, while beautiful and enjoyable, does not have the same effect on the nerves and body vibrations. So, if you want to experience the real power of Indian mantras, try chanting them slowly and feel the vibrations inside you. It is a simple and powerful way to connect with yourself and find peace."

I was fully soaked in the sweet nectar of Lata Ji's shining wisdom. She also talked about her early days, learning classical music from her father Pandit Deenanath Mangeshkar."He taught me to respect every note, every word. Classical music is the foundation. If you practice it, you can sing anything." She said softly, recalling how she would practice for hours, repeating the same line until it was absolutely perfect. ‘Riyaz is my mantra,’ she said. ‘It is my daily prayer’ and so is Yoga" .

I asked her how she kept her voice so pure and clear even at this age after singing thousands of songs. She explained, ‘I do simple yoga and meditation every morning. It keeps my mind calm and my body healthy. Singing is not only the magic of throat. It is about the whole being. When you sing, you should feel every word, every emotion".

She also shared a secret about her pronunciation. "I took Urdu lessons from a maulvi and pure Sanskrit from our family Guru to get my pronunciation right. Every language has its own beauty. If you respect the words, the song comes alive".

Our conversation turned to gratitude. She looked thoughtful and said, ‘I am grateful to God, my gurus and my country. Success is nothing without gratitude. It keeps you grounded and hopeful".

When I left her house that day, I felt I had met someone divine. Lataji was and still is a world-famous singer but apart from that, She was and is a living lesson in humility, discipline and devotion. Even today, when I listen to her shlokas, chanting, songs like Shantaakaaram Bhujagashayanam', 'Sarvamangalmaangalyev,' Ya Kundendu Tushaarhaardhavala',  'Om' and also ‘Lag Ja Gale’ or ‘Ae Mere Watan Ke Logon’, I remember her words, her warmth and the peace in her eyes. Her voice lives on not just in music but in the hearts of all those who have heard her sing.

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