Legendary singer Lata Mangeshkar is celebrating her 92^nd birthday today (28 September). Renowned as ‘Swar Kokila,’ the timeless singer has scripted history with her continued performance in the field of playback singing for decades. She has given voice to almost every actress in the Bollywood film industry. The Guinness Book of World Records has listed her as the most recorded artist in the world for duet and chorus songs. In the world of music and play-back singing, Lata Mangeshkar is the name that does not require an introduction. She is the first Indian to perform in Royal Albert Hall, London in 1974.

Early Life

Born in Indore on September 28, 1929, to Dinanath Mangeshkar and Shevanti Mangeshkar who was his second wife. Her father was a classical singer and theater actor. Lata is the eldest of her siblings- Hridaynath Mangeshkar, Asha Bhosle, Meena Khadikar and Usha Mangeshkar.  Initially, Lata was named ‘Hema’ which later was changed by her parents into ‘Lata’ after a female character in one of her father’s plays ‘BhaawBandhan’. At the early age of five, she started working in her father’s plays. In 1938, when she was just 9-year-old, she gave her first ‘Shastriya Sangeet’ performance along with her father at Sholapur, Maharashtra. Her father died of heart disease when she was only 13-year-old that made her start a career as an actress and singer.

Career and Performance

Lata sang her first song ‘Naachu yaa Gade, Khelu Saari Mani Haus Bhaari’ for the Marathi movie ‘Kiti Hasal’ which had been removed during the final cut. Her first Hindi song was ‘Mata Ek Sapoot Ki Duniya Badal De Tu’ for Marathi movie ‘Gajaabhaau’ in 1943. Her career took a big break with the song ‘Dil Mera Toda, Mujhe Kahin Ka Na Chhora’ for the film ‘Majboor’. A huge success came to her with the song ‘Aayega Aanewala’ from “Mahal’ in 1949. Since then, there was no looking back. In recent years, her songs from DDLJ, Dil To Pagal hai, Veer Zara have been a tremendous hit. Her depth of voice is so impeccable that when she sang the song ‘Ae Mere Vatan Ke Logon’ in front of the PM Jawahar Lal Nehru and several dignitaries during the Republic Day celebration in 1963, it left them in intense emotions.

Awards and Honor

Lata has a long list of awards, including Padma Bhushan in 1969, Dada Saheb Phalke Award in 1989, Padma Vibhushan in 1999, and Bharat Ratna in 2001. She has also been awarded Filmfare Award several times for the Best Female Playback Singer. She was also awarded the Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award and Filmfare Special Award in 1994 and 1995. On the 60^th Anniversary of India’s independence, she was honored with ‘One Time Award for Lifetime Achievement. Apart from this, she has won uncountable awards, honors, and achievements that no one can ever dream of. No other singer has captivated millions of hearts as Lata Mangeshkar did, on her 92^nd birthday PM Modi and many other political leaders have sent their good wishes on social media platforms.