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Melody Queen & ‘Bharat Ratna’ recipient Lata Mangeshkar passes away !

Government announces 2-day national mourning in memory of the legendary singer

Many renowned singers and dignitaries pay tribute to the Nightingale of India

Mumbai – Melody Queen and ‘Bharat Ratna’ recipient Lata Mangeshkar, who enchanted the audience with her melodious voice by her ability to effortlessly recognise what her audience desired and who made an immense contribution to Indian music with her divine voice for the last 8 decades breathed her last in Mumbai’s Breach Candy Hospital at 08:12 am. She was 92 years old. At Breach Candy Hospital, she had been battling with Covid-19 and pneumonia for the past 28 days. In the end, she breathed her last on account of multiple organ failures.

Lata Mangeshkar, commonly called the Nightingale of India, was a world-renowned singer. Many dignitaries lamented that her demise marked the end of the musical era in India.  Her last rites were performed with full State honours at Shivaji Park in Dadar, Mumbai. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and many other dignitaries were present during her last rites. The Central Government has announced 2-day national mourning in memory of the legendary singer. The tricolour at the Parliament, Rashtrapati Bhavan and Mantralaya (administrative headquarters of the Government of Maharashtra) was flown at half-mast. The mortal remains of the Melody Queen were kept at Pranhukunj (Lata Mangeshkar’s residence) for people to pay homage.

Lata Mangeshkar’s journey in brief

Lata Mangeshkar was born on 28th December 1929 in Indore, Madhya Pradesh. She started taking singing lessons from her father Deenanath Mangeshkar when she was merely 5 years old. At the age of 13, she lost her father. Since she was the eldest sibling, the responsibility of the entire family fell on her shoulders. Thus, her journey as a playback singer began in 1942. She dominated the Hindi and Marathi Film industry for the next 6 decades. She has sung more than 50,000 songs in 22 languages. She made a world record to record a record number of songs from 1974 to 1991. She composed music for films under the pseudonym -‘Anandghan’. She had been honoured with Padma Bhushan, Padma Vibhushan, Dadasaheb Phalke Award and many other awards. She was also honoured with India’s highest civilian award– ‘Bharat Ratna’ in 2001.  She had performed at a programme to raise funds for the ‘Dadra Nagar Haveli Mukri Sangram’ (a movement to free Dadra Nagar Haveli from the Portuguese rule). During one of the interviews, she expressed her remorse that she could not sing classical songs.

Tributes paid by renowned singers and music composers

Mr Sudesh Bhosale

I performed in hundreds of concerts in India and abroad with Lata Didi. She used to practise before every music concert even though she was an established singer. She would also check with me if it was fine if she sang in a particular manner. She was polite. She always strived for perfection. Every song she sang was flawless. She would instinctively recognise what was expected from her by her music director and would sing accordingly. Hence, there was hardly any need to guide her with her songs. She would encourage the young singers and artists who accompanied her.

A. R. Rahman

She was not only a singer but was a soul and the consciousness of Indian music. This void in Indian music will remain forever.

Mr Shridhar Phadke

She dominated the world with her divine ‘sur’. Whenever I was with her, I could sense tremendous energy emanating from her. For us, she was like a living school that could guide us appropriately. She was a staunch patriot. She has left a precious legacy for all of us.

Mrs Arati Ankalikar-Tikekar

When it comes to singing, she was Devi Saraswati. On the day of ‘Vasant Panchami’, I saw her image in the place of Devi Saraswati. Her songs were always lively. She would sing from the bottom of her heart. Hence, her songs could connect with everyone from children to the elderly. Her songs were a source of inspiration for all. We can call her a ‘swarmauli’ (Mother of swars).

Mr Rahul Deshpande

Lata Didi was our guide and mentor. He was the mother of swars and hence truly a ‘swarmauli’. Every song she sang like ‘Mogara Fulala’ is unique.

Mrs Padmaja Phenany Joglekar

After Lata Didi’s demise, everyone felt as if someone in their family has passed away. I felt as if I lost my mother who guided me in this world of music. To me, she was God.

Tributes paid by dignitaries

Prime Minister Narendra Modi

Lata Didi, whose songs bestowed Devi Sarswati’s blessings to the audience, has begun her journey to ‘Brahmaloka’. She had a close relationship with many. In every corner of this world, you will find her songs and her fans.

Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray

Lata Didi’s demise marks the end of a ‘Swaryuga’ (Era of Swara). (It also marks an end of a great era.) We lost our motherly blessings. Sadly, Lata Didi has renounced this gross world; however, with her divine ‘sur’ will remain immortal. This divine ‘sur’ is her gift to this world. She will be with us forever with her divine ‘sur’ and melodious voice. As an ‘Anandi Anandghan’ (Blissful cloud in the sky, also the pseudonym under which she composed music) she will keep showering the nectar of her divine ‘sur’ from heaven.

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