One of the world’s greatest singers of all-time, Indian legend Lata Mangeshkar passed away today at the age of 92.
She was often referred to as “the Nightingale of India”.
Popularly known as “Lata Didi,” her melodious voice enchanted Indian music fans for almost eight decades.
It was at the age of 13 that she recorded her first playback song for a Marathi film, Kiti Hasaal in 1942. She continued singing until at least 2019.
For the best part of 50 years, Lata Didi was Bharat’s most popular female singer. India’s highest civilian award – the Bharat Ratna was awarded to her in 2001.
It is reported that Lata Didi recorded over 30,000 songs and sang in over thirty-six Indian languages.
A devout Hindu
A devout Hindu, she was one of a very few Bollywood stars who dared to express her Hindutva.
In a 2014 tweet, she described Veer Savarkar as like a father to her:
She was a strong supporter of the Ram Mandir movement. When the foundation stone for the Bhavya Ram Mandir was laid in Ayodhya, she tweeted:
नमस्कार। आज अयोध्या में श्री राममंदिर भूमिपूजन समारोह के दौरान सभी गणमान्य वक्ताओं का भाषण टेलीविज़न पे देखते हुए मेरे मन में यही गीत गूंज रहा था.https://t.co/yrtqgRBwMf
— Lata Mangeshkar (@mangeshkarlata) August 5, 2020
She tweeted a link to a Ram Bhajan sung by her, saying, “…when I was listening to the speeches of the dignitaries at the Ram Mandir Bhoomi Pujan, in my mind this song was reverberating…”:
The full tweet reads:
https://www.twitlonger.com/show/n_1srbofa
Her tweet ended with the words: “…today every heart-beat, every breath is saying Jay Shri Ram.”
Condolence messages
Condolence messages have been flowing in from India and around the world.
Indian PM Narendra Modi tweeted:
I am anguished beyond words. The kind and caring Lata Didi has left us. She leaves a void in our nation that cannot be filled. The coming generations will remember her as a stalwart of Indian culture, whose melodious voice had an unparalleled ability to mesmerise people. pic.twitter.com/MTQ6TK1mSO
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) February 6, 2022
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. Om Shanti.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) February 6, 2022
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. pic.twitter.com/N0chZbBcX6
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) February 6, 2022
AHA President Amendra Singh was at a loss for words:
For the millions of us of the Indian diaspora who grew up, came of age and grew old listening to the mesmerising & melodious voice of Lata Mageshkar Ji, words cannot express our grief on her passing away today. Om Shanti.https://t.co/niPVJ70rdP
— Amendra K Singh अमेन्द्र कुमार सिंह (@amenksingh) February 6, 2022
Lata Didi is regarded by many Hindus as an incarnation of Maa Saraswati: