NewKerala.com

Lata Mangeshkar: The Nightingale's Legacy Echoes Across Generations

India remembers legendary singer Lata Mangeshkar on February 6, who passed away in 2022 at age 92. Her voice, active from the 1940s, became the defining sound of Hindi cinema and she recorded songs in over 36 languages. She received India's highest honors, including the Bharat Ratna and Dadasaheb Phalke Award, for her immense cultural contribution. She was posthumously honored with Lata Mangeshkar Chowk in Ayodhya, featuring a giant veena sculpture.

Key Points: Remembering Lata Mangeshkar: India's Musical Voice

  • Career spanned over 7 decades
  • Sang in over 36 Indian languages
  • Received Bharat Ratna & Dadasaheb Phalke Award
  • Funeral saw national mourning in 2022
  • Honored with a veena sculpture in Ayodhya
2 min read

Lata Mangeshkar: Remembering the voice that defined Indian music

On her remembrance day, we honor Lata Mangeshkar, the Bharat Ratna awardee whose voice defined Indian cinema for over seven decades.

"She was not merely a playback singer; she was a cultural force. - Article"

New Delhi, February 6

Every year on February 6, India pauses to remember Lata Mangeshkar, the singer whose voice became the emotional backbone of Indian cinema and popular music for more than seven decades.

She passed away in Mumbai in 2022 at the age of 92, leaving behind a legacy so vast that it continues to echo across generations.

Often called the Nightingale of India, Lata Mangeshkar was not merely a playback singer; she was a cultural force.

From the 1940s onwards, her voice came to define the sound of Hindi cinema, while also shaping music in Marathi and many other Indian languages.

She recorded songs in over 36 Indian languages. Her career was marked by an extraordinary partnership with India's greatest composers, including Naushad, SD Burman, RD Burman, Madan Mohan, Laxmikant-Pyarelal and AR Rahman.

Songs like 'Aayega Aanewala,' 'Lag Jaa Gale,' 'Pyaar Kiya To Darna Kya,' and 'Ae Mere Watan Ke Logon' are not just musical milestones but emotional landmarks in India's musical memory.

Recognition followed naturally. Lata Mangeshkar received the Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 1989, the Padma Bhushan in 1969, the Padma Vibhushan in 1999, and India's highest civilian honour, the Bharat Ratna, in 2001.

These awards acknowledged not only her artistic excellence but also her contribution to India's cultural identity.

Her funeral, held at Shivaji Park in Mumbai in 2022, saw national mourning with flags at half-mast and tributes from leaders, stars, and fans alike.

In her honour, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath inaugurated Lata Mangeshkar Chowk, in Ayodhya, on September 28, 2022 (Lata Mangeshkar's birth anniversary).

The main attraction of the Chowk is a massive 40-foot (about 12-metre) tall veena sculpture, weighing around 14 tonnes. It symbolises her immense contribution to music, especially devotional bhajans.

- ANI

Share this article:

Reader Comments

R
Rajesh Q
The article rightly calls her a cultural force. Her voice defined the idea of the Indian heroine for decades. It's amazing to think one voice could be so versatile across 36 languages! Her discipline and dedication are an inspiration.
A
Aman W
While her contribution is unparalleled, I sometimes feel we focus only on Lata ji and Asha ji. There were so many other brilliant playback singers from that golden era—Mukesh, Rafi, Kishore Kumar, Manna Dey—who also deserve equal remembrance. Let's celebrate all the legends.
S
Sarah B
I'm not Indian, but living in Mumbai for work introduced me to her music. There's a timeless, pure quality to her voice that transcends language. You don't need to understand the words to feel the emotion. A global treasure.
K
Karthik V
The veena sculpture in Ayodhya is a fitting tribute. Her bhajans, like "Allah Tero Naam" and "Vaishnav Jan To", had a divine quality. She wasn't just a singer; she was a vital part of India's spiritual and cultural fabric. Jai Hind!
M
Meera T
Her voice is like a comforting blanket. On stressful days, I just play her old songs and feel a sense of peace. It's incredible how her legacy lives on so strongly. We must ensure our children know about such icons.

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

Leave a Comment

Minimum 50 characters 0/50