On 6th February, the queen of melodies, Lata Mangeshkar took her last breath at the Breach Candy Hospital, Mumbai. The singing maestro left a void in the hearts of her admirers and a legacy to look up to. The nightingale of India was born as Hema Mangeshkar in Indore to Marathi-Konkani musician Deenanath Mangeshkar and his wife Shevanti. The legendary singer who passed away at the age of 92, ruled the music industry of Bollywood for more than 80 years. Starting his career at a very young age, Lata Mangeshkar has crooned some trailblazing tracks which will be heard till eternity. In the remembrance of the queen of melodies, here we take a look at the glorious career of Lata Mangeshkar:
1. Back in 1935, the father of the veteran singer, started her music training. And many few of us know that before making their singing debut she made her acting debut as a child actress in Mangeshkar Sr's Marathi musical plays.
2. Kickstarting her singing career, Lata Ji sang two songs in the studio for the first time for the radio. The singer was just 12 years old when she professionally sang for the first time on December 16, 1941.
3. Things went off the track when her father died in 1942 but her close family friend helped her get things back on track and gave her a chance to act in Navyug Chitrapat's Marathi movie 'Pahili Mangalaa-gaur', and sing 'Natali Chaitraachi Navalaai' in the movie.
4. After making her mark in the Marathi industry, she sang her first Hindi song Mata Ek Sapoot Ki Duniya Badal De Tu' in 1945.
5. Mangeshkar moved to Mumbai after Karnataki shifted the headquarters of Navyug Chitrapat, and began her training in Hindustani classical music from Ustad Aman Ali Khan of Bhindibazaar Gharana.
6. Mangeshkar was mentored by music director Ghulam Haider right after Karnataki's death. After getting rejected by producer Sashadhar Mukherjee's 'Shaheed', Mangeshkar got mainstream with 'Majboor' with the song 'Dil Mera Toda, Mujhe Kahin Ka Na Chhora'.
7. And then came the time when she left the whole nation and even the prime minister Jawahar Lal Nehru, teared with her soulful song, Ae Mere Watan Ke logo.
8. This was the year when Mangeshkar's association with music directors Laxmikant–Pyarelal began. The singer gave voice to many of their compositions and the collaboration kept growing stronger. Some popular names include 'Mr. X in Bombay', 'Mere Hamdam Mere Dost', 'Intaquam, 'Do Raaste', among others.
9. Mangeshkar was honoured with Dadasaheb Phalke Award - India's highest award in cinema - which is given at the National Films Awards ceremony. The state government gave its highest civilian award - Maharashtra Bhushan Award - to Mangeshkar.
10. Mangeshkar's last song for a film was 'Jeena Hai Kya' for 'Dunno Y2... Life Is A Moment', a sequel to the Kapil Sharma-starrer 'Dunno Y... Na Jaane Kyun'. She recorded the song at her own studio. India lost her Nightingale. The government declared national mourning for two days with the Tricolour flying at half-mast.
