Lata Mangeshkar: The “Nightingale of Bollywood” passed away at 92

By Al Mayadeen Net
Source: Agencies
6 Feb 2022 11:05

Lata Mangeshkar sang more than 30,000 songs in dozens of languages including English, Russian, Dutch and Swahili.

Lata Mangeshkar passed away in a Mumbai hospital.

One of India's most beloved singers, Lata Mangeshkar, has passed away at the age of 92. Mangeshkar’s legendary voice has been the soundtrack to more than a thousand Bollywood films.

Mangeshkar, who was taken to Mumbai's Breach Candy Hospital on January 8 after testing positive for COVID-19, died on Sunday of "multi-organ failure after more than 28 days of hospitalization," according to Dr Pratit Samdani, the singer's doctor.

The Indian government has declared two days of national mourning, during which the national flag will be flown at half-mast across the country. A state funeral will be held for her. On Sunday evening, her cremation will take place in Mumbai.

As news broke out, tributes poured in from industry luminaries, not to mention her fans who took to social media to share images and videos of Mangeshkar, as well as their favorite songs by her.

Goosebumps & tears.
There was no one like you. 🙏🏼#LataMangeshkar
pic.twitter.com/zUYt0xQFeC
— Charu Pragya🇮🇳 (@CharuPragya) February 6, 2022

Legendary Bollywood actor Anil Kapoor, who is best known for his role as a game show presenter in Danny Boyle's Slumdog Millionaire, said: "Heartbroken, but blessed to have known & loved this incredible soul."

"Lataji holds a place in our hearts that will never be taken by anyone else. That's how profoundly she has impacted our lives with her music."

The life of a legend

Mangeshkar was born in 1929 in Indore, central India, and began her musical training at a young age under her father Deenanath's instruction, singing in his theatrical shows at the age of five.

After her father died when she was 13, she was forced to become the provider for her four younger siblings, and the family relocated to Mumbai in 1945.

Her voice quickly became a mainstay of Bollywood blockbusters as she sought a career as a playback vocalist, recording tunes to be mimed by actors.

India's cultural icon

Lata Mangeshkar was the most in-demand vocalist in the country for decades, with every major actress requesting her to sing their songs.

From the 1940s through the 1990s, she sang for practically every female star and collaborated with almost every major Bollywood director, from Raj Kapoor and Guru Dutt to Mani Ratnam and Karan Johar. Her melodious voice and heartfelt singing have been hailed as "pure and clear as the purest pearl of crystal" by a top lyricist.

Lata ji put life not only on this song also in this scene 😭

You will be missed Legend #LataMangeshkar pic.twitter.com/PMlVagb1RX
— ℣αɱριя౯™ (@SRKxCombatant) February 6, 2022