Fondly called Lata didi and termed as the Nightingale of India, Lata Mangeshkar certainly rules millions of hearts and minds with her countless immortal numbers. With her heavenly voice and beautiful expressions, she has remained the top choice for all music composers in her career spanning six decades. She sung in over 36 Indian languages and the Dadasaheb Phalke Award winner was also awarded the Bharat Ratna apart from France conferring her with its highest civilian award (Officer of the Legion of Honour) in 2007.
Born to Deenanath Mangeshkar and Shevanti Mangeshkar on September 28, 1929, in Indore, Madhya Pradesh, Lata is the eldest sibling of the Mangeshkar family and became a music sensation at a very young age, having crooned for Hindi, Marathi and Bengali films. As the legendary singer celebrates her 90th birthday today, we bring you some unknown facts about her life and singing career:
1. Lata became a singer not by choice but under the pressures of her family. After her father Deenanath, who was a Natya Sangeet musician and classical vocalist, passed due to heart disease, Lata had to take the responsibility of her family and eventually started singing and even tried her hand at acting to fulfill their household needs.
2. Lata’s debut song was for a Marathi film Kiti Hasaal titled Naachu Yaa Gade, Khelu Saari Mani Haus Bhaari. However, it still remains unheard as the song was dropped from the film’s final cut.
3. In the 1950s, Lata had a huge fallout with legendary musician and singer S D Burman and they did not collaborate for the next 12 years, only to team up once again in 1962.
4. Her voice moved former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru into tears when she crooned Aye Mere Watan ke Logon to pay her tribute to martyrs after the end of Indo-China war in 1963.
5. Lata Mangeshkar was the first Indian in 1974 to have performed in the Royal Albert Hall, London.
6. Apparently, Lata Mangeshkar believes that her voice suits actress Saira Banu's the best!
7. Raj Kapoor once offered her the lead role in Satyam Shivam Sundaram. However, she denied it and was evidently asked, “Tabiyat theek toh hai na Raj saab?”
We wish her a very Happy Birthday!
