Nightingale of India enthralled generations
BOLLYWOOD superstar Lata Mangeshkar, fondly known as the Nightingale of India, died on Sunday morning at the age of 92.
Mangeshkar’s high-pitched melodies were a uniquely recognisable feature of Indian cinema, with her work appearing in more than 1 000 films.
She died in a Mumbai hospital after being admitted to its intensive care unit several weeks ago with Covid symptoms.
According to a report by AFP, Mangeshkar was born in 1929 in Indore, central India, and started her musical training under the tutelage of her father Deenanath, singing in his theatrical productions when she was just five.
Her dad’s death, when she was 13, forced her to take on the role of breadwinner for four younger siblings, and the family eventually moved to Mumbai in 1945. There, she pursued a career as a playback singer, recording tracks to be mimed by actors, and her voice soon became a staple of Bollywood blockbusters.
“Mangeshkar dominated Bollywood music for more than half a century and is considered by many to be the Indian film industry’s greatest playback singer. Mangeshkar was not shy about taking a stand when it came to raising her prices or asking for a share of the royalties earned on her songs,” the report said.
“Her longevity and discipline saw her lend her voice to teenage actresses who were 50 years her junior. Critics complained that her dominance left little room for newer singers to thrive, but her audience remained loyal, ensuring that her songs ruled the charts. She was also known for her quirks, such as never singing with her shoes on and always writing out each song by hand before recording it,” it said.
In 2001, Mangeshkar was awarded India’s highest civilian honour, the Bharat Ratna. In 2009, she received France’s Legion of Honour for her contribution to Indian music and cinema.
News of her death has made headlines across the globe and prompted an outpouring of grief from prominent politicians, celebrities and fans.
◆ The New York Times: “Lata Mangeshkar, a beloved Indian singer who enthralled generations of Bollywood audiences as the singing voice behind many stars.” | Twitter
◆ ABC News.com: “Lata Mangeshkar, legendary Indian singer with a voice recognised by a billion people in South Asia.”
◆ Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi: “I consider it my honour that I have always received immense affection from Lata Didi. My interactions with her will remain unforgettable. I grieve with my fellow Indians on the passing away of Lata Didi. Spoke to her family and expressed condolences. Om Shanti.” | Twitter
◆ Amitabh Bachchan: “She has left us. The voice of a million centuries has left us … her voice resounds now in the heavens! Prayers for calm and peace.” | www. srbachchan.tumblr.com (official blog)
◆ AR Rahman posted a picture of himself sitting at her feet and tweeted: “Love, respect and prayers.” He later posted a video: “Somebody like Lataji is not just a singer, not just an icon. (She is) I think a part of the soul, a part of the consciousness of India, Hindustani music, Hindi poetry, Urdu poetry, Bengali, and so many other languages she sang in. And this void is going to remain forever for all of us.” | IANS
◆ Shreya Ghoshal: “Feeling numb. Devastated. Yesterday was Saraswati Puja & today, Ma took her blessed one with her. Somehow it feels that even the birds, trees & wind are silent today. Swar Kokila Bharat Ratna #LataMangeshkar ji your divine voice will echo till eternity. Rest in peace. Om Shanti.” (sic) | Twitter
◆ Karisma Kapoor shared a picture and caption of the première of Raj Kapoor’s Awara (1951) on her Instagram account: “So many legends together in one frame at the première of dadaji’s Awara. Rest in glory Lataji. The Nightingale of India.” The picture shows a young Mangeshkar standing next to Raj Kapoor. Among the many reasons why Awara refuses to fade from our memory, is definitely the Nightingale’s song, Ghar Aaya Mera Pardesi, featured in the famous dream sequence choreographed by the dance maestro Uday Shankar’s partner, Simkie. | IANS
◆ Malayalam star Mohanlal: “Deeply saddened to hear about the passing of the musical phenomenon, Bharat Ratna Lata Mangeshkar. May she live on through her music. Sending condolences to her loved ones.” (sic) | IANS
◆ Malaylam star Mammootty: “India has lost our nightingale. Cinema and music will never be the same again. Lataji, your immense body of work and your iconic voice will be unparalleled forever. #LataMangeshkar.” (sic) | IANS
◆ President of the Maldives, Ibrahim Mohammed Solih: “Saddened to hear of #LataMangeshkar’s passing. Her music crossed cultural and linguistic boundaries and continues to bring joy to millions around the world. India has lost a national treasure, and I offer my condolences to her loved ones and the people of India.” | IANS
◆ Actor-politician Kamal Haasan said: “Lata Mangeshkar, using her music, overcame barriers of language, to mesmerise hearts. She has left behind thousands of songs in the air which when listened to are bound to trigger emotions and feelings. That she has sung songs that cannot be destroyed by time in Tamil and Hindi films that I have acted in is a fact of which I am proud. My respects to the queen of music from Indore.” | Twitter
◆ Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan: “With the death of Lata Mangeshkar, the subcontinent has lost one of the truly great singers the world has known. Listening to her songs has given so much pleasure to so many people.” | IANS