Lata Mangeshkar, dubbed the “Nightingale of Bollywood,” is without a doubt one of India’s most well-known and revered female voices. Mangeshkar is a strong figure to contend with, with a singing career lasting over seven decades in the Hindi and Indian regional film industries, where most want tobe vocalists fade away before the decade is through. Not only has the lady with the Golden Voice left an indelible mark on Hindi filmdom by singing for over a thousand Hindi films, but she has also contributed her voice to songs in over 36 regional Indian and other languages. Lata was born as the eldest daughter of a classical singer, therefore singing came naturally to her. Lata and her younger siblings were exposed to the large stage from an early age because their father was also a theatrical professional. Her father’s untimely death while she was still a child required her to take on the role of breadwinner for her family, which she did admirably. She was given the Bharat Ratna, India’s highest civilian award, for her remarkable achievements and contributions to Indian art—a very rare honor for a soprano.
Childhood and Adolescence
She was the eldest daughter of Pandit Deenanath Mangeshkar and his second wife Shevanti, and was born as “Hema” in a Marathi-speaking household in Madhya Pradesh. After a character in her father’s play, she was called “Lata.” She has a number of younger siblings, two of them, Asha and Usha, are well-known vocalists in their own right. When she was a young girl, her father began teaching her music. She was a quick learner who enjoyed singing.
She began acting in her father’s plays when she was just five years old. She did not attend school for a long time, however the reasons for this differ.
In 1942, the family suffered a career tragedy when Deenanath Mangeshkar died of heart illness, leaving a young family behind. Lata, his eldest daughter, who was just 13 years old at the time, was forced to work to help support the family. In 1942, Lata sang her debut song, ‘Naachu Yaa Gade,’ for the Marathi film ‘Kiti Hasaal.’ However, the song was deleted from the final cut of the film. Master Vinayak, a friend of her father’s, offered her a small part in the Marathi film ‘Pahili Mangalaa-gaur’ in 1942, in which she also sang a song.
Even though she began her career as a Marathi singer and actor, few predicted that this young woman would one day go on to dominate Hindi film music. Her first Hindi song, released in 1943, was also from a Marathi film. “Mata Ek Sapoot Ki Duniya Badal De Tu” from the film “Gajaabhaau” was the song. In 1945, she and Master Vinayak’s company relocated to Mumbai. During this time, she also began taking classes from Ustad Amanat Ali Khan in Hindustani Classical music. Lata’s life was hollow after Vinayak’s death in 1948, and her early years in the Hindi film industry were difficult. However, in 1949, she had her first breakthrough with the song “Aayega Aanewala” from the film “Mahal.”
The 1950s were a golden era for female singers, who had the opportunity to perform songs composed by legendary music directors such as Anil Biswas, Shankar Jaikishan, S.D. Burman, Khayyam, and others.
In 1958, she won a Filmfare Award for Best Female Playback Singer for the composition ‘Aaja re Pardesi’ from the film ‘Madhumati.’ This was a watershed moment in her career. With the superhit song ‘Pyar Kiya To Darna Kya,’ the singer kicked off the 1960s with a bang, followed by another soulful tune, ‘Ajeeb Dastaan Hai Yeh,’ from the same year’s ‘Dil Apna Aur Preet Parai.’
Lata may have already established herself as a filmi singer, but when she performed the patriotic song ‘Aye Mere Watan Ke Logo’ in front of Jawaharlal Nehru in 1963, she moved him to tears. The 1960s also marked the beginning of the singer’s relationship with music directors Laxmikant-Pyarelal, for whom she would perform over 700 songs over a 35-year period. Mangeshkar’s popularity grew in the 1970s and 1980s, and she expanded her repertoire to include more regional songs. She also presented several concerts and toured all over the world during this time.
Although several new female singers entered Bollywood in the 1990s, no one was able to unseat the reigning queen of Hindi film voice. She continued to perform well into the new millennium, recording her debut Hindi song in 2001 with Ilaiyaraaja, a Tamil composer.
Major Projects of Lata
From 1974 to 1991, she held the Guinness Book of World Records for having made the most recordings in the world, which totaled almost 25,000 solo, duet, and chorus-backed songs in 20 Indian languages between 1948 and 1974.
Achievements & Awards
In 2001, Lata Mangeshkar was awarded the Bharat Ratna, India’s highest civilian accolade, for her outstanding contributions in the world of music. She previously received the Padma Vibhushan, India’s second highest civilian honor, in 1999.
Personal History and Legacy
Lata Mangeshkar has never married and keeps her personal life hidden from the public eye. She has always had close relationships with her younger sisters and brother being the oldest sister among her family. Her passions include cooking, reading, photography, and cricket.
Estimated Net Worth
This article contains information about Lata Mangeshkar’s net worth, biography, age, husband, height, weight, and income, among other things. Lata Mangeshkar has a net worth of $16 million dollars.
Trivia
Lata Eau de Parfum, a perfume named after this well-known Indian vocalist, was released in 1999.