Bollywood superstar singer Lata Mangeshkar passes away at the age of 92
MUMBAI/NEW DELHI/LAHORE/ISLAMABAD, Feb 06 (SABAH): Bollywood superstar singer Lata Mangeshkar, known to millions as the “nightingale of India” and a regular fixture of the country’s airwaves for decades, died Sunday at the age of 92. She passed away in a Mumbai hospital after being admitted to its intensive care unit on January 11 with Covid-19 symptoms.
Public broadcaster Doordarshan announced a state funeral and two days of national mourning for the singer after news of her death broke.
“I am anguished beyond words,” India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi wrote on Twitter. “The kind and caring Lata Didi has left us. She leaves a void in our nation that cannot be filled.” “Coming generations will remember her as a stalwart of Indian culture, whose melodious voice had an unparalleled ability to mesmerise people,” Modi wrote of Mangeshkar.
In another tweet, he penned, “Lata Didi’s songs brought out a variety of emotions. She closely witnessed the transitions of the Indian film world for decades. Beyond films, she was always passionate about India’s growth. She always wanted to see a strong and developed India.”
He added, “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.”
Lata Mangeshkar was born September 28, 1929 in the central city of Indore and started her career at the age of 13, when her father died and she had to look after her mother and four siblings. Five years later, she got her first break singing songs for the film “Aapki Sewa Mein” (“For Your Service”).
In a prolific career, she became the Indian film industry’s top vocalist and sang in more than 1,000 movies. Her songs are played at the nation’s official Republic Day celebrations every year.
Her younger sister Asha Bhosle is also a renowned singer who, like Mangeshkar, learned her craft from their father Deenanath. She never married or had any children. Her father’s death when she was only 13 forced her to take on the role of breadwinner to support 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 high-pitched voice soon became a staple of Bollywood blockbusters.
In a move reflecting her huge following, she was invited by the government to sing a patriotic tribute to the soldiers killed in the 1962 Indo-China war at India’s Republic Day commemorations in January 1963. Her rendition of “Oh the People of my Country” reportedly moved then Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru to tears.
In the following decades, composers and film producers alike vied to sign the prolific Mangeshkar for their movies.
“I composed keeping Lata Mangeshkar’s range and voice quality in mind,” composer Anil Biswas said of her in an interview published in the “Encyclopedia of Hindi Cinema”. “She had a wide range, and one could think of more complicated melodies than with the earlier untrained singers,” he added.
Together with her younger sister Asha Bhonsle — a superstar in her own right — Mangeshkar dominated Bollywood music for more than half a century and is considered by many to be the Indian film industry’s greatest-ever 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. 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.
Mangeshkar was in 2001 awarded the Bharat Ratna, India’s highest civilian honour, and received France’s Legion d’Honneur in 2009 in recognition of her contribution to Indian music and cinema.
Meanwhile Pakistan politicians also expressed condolences on the legendary musician’s passing with Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry likening her death as “the end of an era in music”. He said Mangeshkar ruled the world for decades and the “magic of her voice” would live on.
“A legend is no more, #LataMangeshkar was a melodious queen who ruled the world of music for decades she was uncrowned queen of music her voice shall keep ruling the Hearts of people for all times to come #RIPLataMangeshker” Fawad Chaudhry tweeted.
Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) President and Leader of the Opposition in National Assembly Mian Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif said the world lost a “singing legend who mesmerised generations with her melodious voice”. “The people of my generation grew up listening to her beautiful songs that will remain part of our memory. May she rest in peace,” he tweeted. “In the passing of Lata Mangeshkar, the world of music has lost a singing legend who mesmerized generations with her melodious voice. The people of my generation grew up listening to her beautiful songs that will remain part of our memory. May she rest in peace!” Shehbaz Sharif tweeted on Sunday.
PPP Senator Sherry Rehman said Mangeshkar had such a vast repertoire of music that it was “impossible to choose even five favourite songs”. “#LataMangeshkar defined an era of melodic,virtuoso singing, cinema playback and more. Sad to hear of her passing.She had such a vast repertoire, it is impossible to choose even 5 favourite songs, so here’s one : Aaj Phir Jeene Ki Tamanna Hai – Guide” Sherry Rehman tweeted.
PML-N Spokesperson Marriyum Aurangzeb wrote on twitter “RIP #LataMangeshkar She had a voice of angel,her voice inspired and helped a generation through the hard times, celebrate the good,deal with tragedy and loss.Her legacy will live on through generations. We may have lost a legend, however, through her music her soul lives on”.
Meanwhile actor Adnan Siddiqui, too, expressed sorrow over Mangeshkar’s passing away. “Irreparable loss to the music world. Grew up on her unforgettable melodies. Nightingale of India, the void you have left can never be filled,” the actor shared.
Imran Abbas shared a photo of the late singer with her autograph. “Darkest day in the world of music. The nightingale of India is no more,” he commented. “Her voice was a blessing of God for the whole universe and her contribution to our memories is certainly incomparable.”
Abbas went on to add, “Today marks the end of an era. Lata Ji! You vanquished our hearts for decades and would always be ruling as a queen of melody for the years to come. Goodbye, Lata Mangeshkar. May God looks over you.” He concluded, “Sharing the pic of her biographic calendar she signed for me.”
Former supermodel Nadia Hussain Khan penned Mangeshkar’s song and added, “Sadly that voice has gone to sleep forever.”
Meesha Shafi wrote, “Supreme reigning voice of a century. RIP, Lata Mangeshkar.”
Salman Ahmed added, “The great, nightingale and legend of India, Lata Mangeshkar has passed on. Her silky voice swept up a multitude of emotions, styles, genres and languages. There will never be another like her. RIP Lataji.”
Resham, on Instagram, posted, “A chapter has ended.”
Veteran actor Bushra Ansari shared the regret of not meeting the late star. “I couldn’t meet you,” she penned.
Saheefa Jabbar Khattak shared, “Heartbroken to hear about our collective loss this morning, of losing the voice of our generations past – may the spirits carry you home, Lata Jee!”
“Anyone else humming Lata Jee songs today? She made the world a better place and we will enjoy her music for years. Thank you, Ma’am. Rest Well,” shared Ushna Shah.
PR mogul Frieha Altaf shared, “Gutted! What a woman, what a voice! Lata ji, you blessed us with so much song, you may be gone but your music and voice will remain eternal.”
Saba Qamar remarked, “Thank you for all the beautiful songs Lata Mangeshkar. My condolences to her family, friends and fans.”
Shehzad Roy added, “A legend Lata Mangeshkar left us. One can’t express in words the extent of her talent. Bob Marley was born today. Feeling overwhelmed.”
Ali Zafar shared a video of his take on one of Mangeshkar’s tracks. Words cannot define a legend like Lata Mangeshkar Ji. Only music can perhaps whisper to her everlasting greatness,” the singer added, “Re-sharing a humble tribute. May God bless her soul in eternal peace.”