India's Nightingale Lata Mangeshkar turns 82 today

Mumbai: Lata Mangeshkar, the music legend who continues to mesmerise millions with her golden voice in a career spanning over seven decades, turned 82 today.

The Nightingale of India, who has some 30,000 songs to her credit, has decided to spend a quiet birthday with her family and attend an award function later in the day. “I do not celebrate my birthday in a lavish way. I do not believe in cutting cakes. It will be a family affair…where all family members will be present. My whole day will be spent in accepting wishes from friends and fans worldwide. Later, in the day, I will go for Hridaynath award function,” Lata told PTI in an interview.

Starting her career in 1942 with songs in Marathi, Lata’s first Hindi song was ‘Paa lagoon kar jori’ for Vasant Joglekar’s movie ‘Aap Ki Seva Mein’ in 1946. Two years later, composer Ghulam Haider gave Lata her first major break with the song ‘Dil mera toda’ in ‘Majboor’ and after that there was no looking back for Lata didi, as she is fondly called.

She has recorded songs for over a thousand Bollywood movies and has sung songs in over thirty-six regional Indian languages and foreign languages. However, her major work is in Hindi.

Recipient of the Bharat Ratna, the highest civilian award in the country, she has lent her voice to generations of Bollywood actresses from Madhubala to Kajol. She is the most sought-after singer by top filmmakers from Yash Chopra to Sanjay Leela Bhansali. “I think whatever I am today…is all because of my fans and well wishers. It is all due to their never-ending love, blessings, support and appreciation. I thank all my fans and well-wishers for making me Lata Mangeshkar,” Lata said.

PTI

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