Published 08:09 IST, September 28th 2019
Lata Mangeshkar turns 90, to receive 'Daughter of the Nation' honour
As she is celebrating her 90th birthday, Lata Mangeshkar has entered the nonagenarian league & she will be conferred with the title of ‘Daughter of the Nation'.
As she is celebrating her 90th birthday, the Nightingale of Bollywood, Lata Mangeshkar, has entered the nonagenarian league on Saturday. The legendary Hindi film industry singer was a part of various epoch-making events in her career. She has scaled through various eras of Bollywood which has made her a luminary in seven decades of her career. She will also be conferred with the title of 'Daughter of the Nation' on her birthday. Having recorded thousands of songs in her career, the Queen of melody had featured in the Guinness book of the world record in the 1970s.
‘Will continue singing till my last breath’
While rumours made rounds in 2018 that she will be recording her last song at 90, it was quashed by Lata Mangeshkar herself. She said that she will continue singing until her last breath. Nightingale reiterated that music is the essence of her existence and her family has been devoted to music for the longest time. Additionally, she said that if music is taken away from her and her family’s life there will be nothing left with them. Lata Didi, as she is addressed by some in the industry, also said that some jealous elements did try to poison her by spreading such rumours in the 1960s as well. However, she added that she doesn’t blame anyone for the setbacks in her life and there is no reason for anyone to be jealous of her as he has stopped singing in the mainstream Bollywood movies. As far as non-film songs are concerned, she said that she will continue to sing them no matter what happens.
‘Daughter of the Nation’
The Voice of the nation, Lata Mangeshkar is also scheduled to receive the ‘Daughter of the Nation’ award on her 90th birthday. With seven decades of her contributions to the industry, media reports suggest that she will be conferred with the title as a tribute. While the Nightingale is honoured with this title on her birthday, the sources from the government as per media reports have said that Prasoon Joshi has written a special song to commemorate this occasion. The sources also claimed that PM Modi is a huge admirer of Lata Mangeshkar’s voice. In past, Lata Mangeshkar has also received the honours like Padma Bhushan (1969), Dadasaheb Phalke Award (1989), Padma Vibhushan (1999), Bharat Ratna (2001) and Legion of Honour (2007). Apart from these honours, she has also been awarded three National Film Awards, 15 Bengal Film Journalists' Association Awards, four Filmfare Best Female Playback Awards, two Filmfare Special Awards, Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award among others. She also became the first Indian to perform in the Royal Albert Hall in 1974.
Updated 10:36 IST, September 28th 2019