With a career spanning over 7 decades, singer Lata Mangeshkar is an unmatched talent of India that we proudly hold dear to our hearts. Her mesmerizing voice has given us songs in over 36 regional Indian languages, including some foreign languages. The Guinness Book of World Records stated that she had recorded more than 30,000 songs from 1948 to 1987. Sources claim ‘Didi’ recorded at least 50,000 songs. Her long singing career. Began at age 13.
Lata Mangeshkar’s Early Life
Lata, originally named Hema, was one of 5 siblings in the Mangeshkar household. Her siblings were Meena Khadikar, Asha Bhosle, Usha Mangeshkar, and Hridaynath Mangeshkar. All the siblings were trained singers and musicians. The more popular ones from them have been Lata and Asha. Interestingly, Lata didi has sung most of her Bollywood hits with music composers Laxmikant-Pyarelal, singing over 700 songs for the composer duo. Some of the films in which she sang for them included Parasmani, Aaye Din Bahar Ke, Shagird, Do Raaste, among others.
The Tragedy In Lata Mangeshkar’s Life
In 1962, Lata didiLi fell seriously ill all of a sudden. On investigation by her doctor, it was revealed that she was given slow poison. She was given immediate treatment, but the damage was done. Even when she recovered, she couldn’t stand or sing. Lata’s complete recovery took about three months, during which she was bedridden. Her cook mysteriously fled from her house after her hospitalization and never returned to take his salary. Her health and security were scrutinized so much so that the composed Majrooh Sultanpuri would first taste the food and then allow her to eat.
Lataji’s last recorded song was in 2015; thus, she has sung for 73 long years of her life. Some of her greatest and most memorable hits include Pyar Kiya Toh Darna Kya, Ajeeb Dastaan Hai Yeh, Tu Jahan Jahan Chalega, Khilte Hain Gul Yahaan, Yeh Kahan Aa Gaye Hum, Likhnewale Yeh Likh Dale, Sheesha Ho Ya Dil Ho, and many more. She has won some of the highest honors an Indian can get, like the Bharat Ratna, Padma Bhushan, Padma Vibhushan, Dadasaheb Phalke Awards, and National Award. She is truly India’s most precious gem!
Leave a Comment