Page 10 - NIS English 01-15 March 2022

Tribute Lata Mangeshkar

WHEN THE SHOW WAS DONE FOR FREE FOR THE THE FIRST FILMFARE AWARD
FAMINE VICTIMS Until 1958, there was no award for Best Singer
In 1987, Rajasthan experienced a famine. An at the Filmfare Awards. Shankar Jaikishan was
organisation organised a concert at Jaipur's set to receive the Best Director award in 1957,
SMS Stadium to support famine victims. and he approached Lataji to perform a song at
Lata Mangeshkar agreed to perform in the the ceremony. But Lataji refused, saying, "I will
programme for free at the institution's request. not sing in Filmfare" you will receive the prize,
The problem was that the show was scheduled not me. Those individuals are not presenting the
for Thursday. On this day, Lataji used to fast and award for best singer or lyricist. So request that
refrain from singing any songs. However, Lataji your orchestra team perform the song without
defied this rule for the sake of the people. Lata the vocalist. I will not perform for Filmfare until
Mangeshkar performed 26 songs on a hungry the awards for playback singer and lyricist
stomach in this show. She hadn't eaten anything are announced. The award was established in
for the entire day because she was fasting. The 1959. There was only one category for male and
show earned one crore and one lakh rupees. female singers back then. Lataji received the
Lataji also contributed money on her behalf and first award in this category in 1959 for the song
gave it to the famine victims "aaja re pardesi" from the film Madhumati.
LATA MANGESHKAR WAS A RAJYA SABHA MP RECORDED HER LAST SONG IN 2019
Lata Mangeshkar was a Rajya Sabha MP from Lata Mangeshkar recorded her last song,
1999 to 2005. She was nominated to the Rajya "saugandh mujhe is mitti ki," in the year 2019. It
Sabha (upper house) in 1999. She holds the was composed by Mayuresh Pai, as a tribute to
distinction of being the first Indian to perform at the Indian Army and the nation. It was released
London's prestigious Royal Albert Hall. In 2007, the on March 30, 2019.
French government also bestowed upon her the
highest civilian honour, the Officer of the Legion
of Honor. Lata Mangeshkar's name was inscribed
in the Guinness Book of World Records in 2011
as the singer with the most songs recorded. Lata
Mangeshkar's world record was broken by her
younger sister, veteran singer Asha Bhosle.

had said that “Namaskar Narendra bhai. Aap ko across the world. She is respected for her humility
janamdin ki bahut badhaai. Ishwar aap ko har kaam & passion towards Indian culture. Personally, her
mein yash de yehi mangal kaamana. Tathastu.” To blessings are a source of great strength. I pray for
this PM Modi had replied “Thank you Lata Didi. I Lata Didi’s long & healthy life.”
have been fortunate to receive your blessings for It is indeed a sad day for the nation that Lata
many years. They give me immense strength.” If Didi has passed away. But her voice will still
one looks at this greetings exchange, one can see reverberate across the country. This year at
the mutual affection and warmth between Lata Beating the Retreat Ceremonyy, at the behest of
Didi and her ‘Narendra Bhai’. PM Modi, the tune of “Ae Mere Watan Ke Logon
PM Modi had also wished on her 92nd birthday was played”. This song which was sung by Lata
in 2021. He said - “Birthday greetings to respected Didi instils the spirit of patriotism in the heart of
Lata Didi. Her melodious voice reverberates every Indian.

8 New India Samachar March 1-15, 2022