Legendary singer Lata Mangeshkar's remarkable journey to 'The Nightingale of India'

It is official that Lata Mangeshkar, the nightingale of India is no more among us. It has not only left the nation in shock but also had a profound impact on us. Though she is not with us anymore, her voice, which has stirred our hearts and soothed our souls for more than seven decades, will live on in our hearts and minds forever.

Let's take a look at the singer's journey from Lata Mangeshkar to The Nightingale of India

Lata Mangeshkar was born as Hema Mangeshkar in Indore to Marathi-Konkani musician Deenanath Mangeshkar and his wife Shevanti. She was their eldest child among their five children- Meena Khadikar, Asha Bhosle, Usha Mangeshkar and Hridaynath Mangeshkar - who are all renowned singers and musicians.

In 1941, Lata didi began her musical jouney and at the age of 12, she sang two songs in the studio for the first time for radio. In 1942, she got her first break when she acted in Navyug Chitrapat's Marathi movie Pahili Mangalaa-gaur, and sang Natali Chaitraachi Navalaai in the movie. In 1943, She sang her first Hindi song in Marathi film Gajaabhaau - Mata Ek Sapoot Ki Duniya Badal De Tu. In 1945, Mangeshkar moved to Mumbai and began her training in Hindustani classical music from Ustad Aman Ali Khan of Bhindibazaar Gharana. In 1946, she sang her debut Hindi song Paa Lagoon Kar Jori' from the movie Aap Ki Seva Mein.

Lata didi's realistic career began when she once had an encounter with the late legendary actor Dilip Kumar when they were travelling in the same compartment in a local train in Mumbai. Dilip Kumar was accompanied by the iconic music director Anil Biswas. Dilip Kumar asked Anil Biswas about the young girl, to which he said, she was a young singer from Maharashtra who sang well. Dilip Kumar’s responded: "But their Urdu pronunciation isn’t correct and in their singing you can smell daal-bhaat." However, that statement impacted Lata didi and she was deeply hurt by it. But understanding how crucial it was for her to master Urdu as a singer in the Hindi film industry, she saw the value in these harsh remarks and decided to take action. She started learning Urdu under a maulana named Mehboob.

With that, she rose to fame and went on to sing many songs that became major hits over the decades- Aayega Aanewala, Ae mere watan ke logon, Lag jaa gale,Yeh kahan aa gaye hum, Gaata rahe mera dil, Dil to pagal hai, to name a few. In 1989, she was honoured with Dadasaheb Phalke award, which is the highest award in Indian cinema followed by the Bharat Ratna award - highest civilian honour - for her contribution to cinema and music in 2001. In 2015, Mangeshkar sang her last song for the film 'Dunno Y2... Life Is A Moment', a sequel to the Kapil Sharma-starrer 'Dunno Y... Na Jaane Kyun'.

In 2022, the Nightingale of India took her last breath in Breach Candy hospital, Worli, Mumbai.