She has left India mourning. The veteran singer was being treated for Covid-19 and pneumonia symptoms for over a month. The who's who of the Indian film industry, politics and sports took to Twitter to offer their condolences.
Acclaimed singer she breathed her last at Breach Candy Hospital, Mumbai on Sunday, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari confirmed to ANI. She was 92. The singer, called the Nightingale of India, was admitted to the hospital in January with Covid-19 and pneumonia.
Daughter of Pandit Deenanath Mangeshkar and Shevanti Mangeshkar, she belonged to a musical family. Her father was a well-known Marathi musician and theater artiste. She was first tutored by her father and later appeared as a child artiste in several of his plays.
She recorded her first Hindi song, which had released in 1943. Later, she went on to collaborate with some of the most popular names of the Hindi music industry, including the likes of Anil Biswas, Shankar Jaikishan, Naushad Ali and SD Burman among others.
She has lent her voice to songs in Hindi, Bengali, Marathi, and other regional languages. She has been honored with the Dadasaheb Phalke Award, Bharat Ratna, Padma Vibhushan and Padma Bhushan as well as several National and Filmfare Awards.
Anushka Sharma: 'God speaks through beautiful voices'
"God speaks through beautiful voices. Sad day for India as our nightingale leaves her mortal body. Lataji’s voice has immortalized her forever. She will live in our hearts through her music. My deepest condolences to her family, friends and fans. RIP Lataji," tweeted the Bollywood star.
Last rites of her to take place at 6:30 pm in Shivaji Park
Mortal remains of she will be taken to her residence around 12: 30 pm. The last rites with full State honors will be conducted at Shivaji Park at 6.30pm today, ANI reported.
Sharad Pawar pays tribute
"The sublime, universal voice which struck a chord and touched every heart across the world. Through her songs and divine voice, she will continue to live eternally amidst us and in every individual," NCP President Sharad Pawar tweeted.
Prakash Javadekar on her death
"Death of she is the end of a #goldenera of Indian music, which ruled the world. She was a very good human being and world-class singer. She will always live with us through her music. My homage. Om Shanthi," tweeted the MP.
Two-day national mourning announced
Two-day national mourning will be observed in the memory of the legendary singer, she on Sunday and Monday. As a mark of respect to the Bharat Ratna awardee, the National Flag will fly at half-mast for two days and there will be no official entertainment.
AR Rahman send love and respect
For her contribution to cinema and the field of arts, she was awarded the Padma Bhushan in 1969, the Padma Vibhushan in 1999 and the Bharat Ratna in 2001. She was also conferred the in 1989 by the government of India and France's highest civilian award, the Legion of Honor, in 2007.
Apart from these honors, she also won four Film fare Awards in the category of Best Playback Singing. She was given the Film fare Lifetime Achievement Award in 1993. The singer had once made news when she refused to take her award in order to promote fresh talent in the industry.
Shewas one of those rare singers who not only sang in Hindi, but in a wide variety of languages, including a few foreign ones too.
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