Introduction
The name Lata Mangeshkar needs no introduction, people know her as the queen of Indian music. She is famous with many names like "Queen of Melody", "Nightingale of India", and "Voice of the Millennium”. Her real name was Hema Mangeshkar. She is one the most respected Indian singer who has sung songs in various Indian and foreign languages. She received many awards for her contribution in the music and singing industry. The awards include the Dadasaheb Phalke Award by the Government of India, Bharat Ratna, India's highest civilian honour, National Film Awards, Bengal Film Journalists' Association Awards, Filmfare Best Female Playback Awards, Filmfare Special Awards and the Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award. Her name is also included in Guinness World Records.
Early Life
Lata Mangeshkar was born in Indore, Madhya Pradesh. Her father's name was Deenanatha Mangeshkar, who was a classical singer and actor. Her mother was Gujarati women and she learnt Gujarati folks from her maternal grandmother. She was the eldest among the siblings. Most of her siblings are from music background.
Singing Career
Lata Mangeshkar’s first Hindi song was "Mata Ek Sapoot Ki Duniya Badal De Tu" for the Marathi film Gajaabhaau. She shifted to Mumbai in the year 1945. She was a student of Ustad Aman Ali Khan of Bhindibazaar Gharana. She used to learn Hindustani classical music from him. Lata along with sister Asha also played small roles in Vinayak's first Hindi-language movie, Badi Maa. Later after the death of Vinayak, music director Ghulam Haider guided her as a singer.
Lata Mangeshkar’s first major hit was "Aayega Aanewaala," from a song in the movie Mahal. In the year 1950s, she sang many songs in movies which include Deedar, Baiju Bawra, Amar, Uran Khatola, and Mother India. She got Filmfare Award for Best Female Playback Singer for Salil Chowdhury's composition "Aaja Re Pardesi" from the film Madhumati. In the most popular film Mughal-e-Azam (1960), she sang the most superhit song "Pyar Kiya To Darna Kya". For the song "Kahin Deep Jale Kahin Dil" from Bees Saal Baad, she got her second Filmfare Award. The patriotic song "Aye Mere Watan Ke Logo" sung by her received immense love and support from the Citizens. Lata Mangeshkar sung many songs for R. D. Burman. The films in which she sang are Chhote Nawab (1961), Bhoot Bungla (1965), Pati Patni (1966), Baharon ke Sapne (1967), and Abhilasha (1969).
In the 1970s Lata Mangeshkar gave her voice in many film songs such as "Chalte Chalte", "Inhi Logon Ne", "Khilte Hain Gul Yahaan", "Beeti Na Bitai", and "Roothe Roothe Piya". During this period she worked with Ghulam Mohammed, Laxmikant-Pyarelal, and Kalyanji Anandji.
"Sheesha Ho Ya Dil Ho", "Zindagi Ki Na Toote", "Baith Mere Paas", "Ungli Mein Anghoti", "Kya Bhala Hai Kya", "Khamosh Sa Afsana" and "Seeli Hawa Chhoo", "Hazaar Rahein Mud", and "Mujhe Tum Yaad Karna" were some songs she sang in the year 1980s.
In the 1990s Lata Mangeshkar worked with some of the top music directors such as Anand–Milind, Nadeem-Shravan, Jatin–Lalit, Uttam Singh, Anu Malik, Aadesh Shrivastava, and A. R. Rahman. The list of songs "Yaara Sili Sili, Jiya Jale, and almost most of the songs of the films such as Chandni, Lamhe, Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge, and Dil To Pagal Hai.
In the year 2000, Lata Mangeshkar received Bharat Ratna, which is India's highest civilian honor. Thereafter she also sang songs of the film Mohabbatein, Mujhse Dosti Karoge! And Veer-Zaara. In the year 2019, she devoted a song "Saugandh Mujhe Is Mitti Ki" to Indian army and nation. Apart from singing, she also did music direction and produced many films such as Vaadal, Kanchan Ganga and Lekin. Lata Mangeshkar was the most legendary singer of India. Her voice was her identity.
