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Lata Mangeshkar

From HitStory, the pop encyclopedia of School of Rock · Artist

Lata Mangeshkar was born in 1929 in Indore, in present-day India, as Hemalata Mangeshkar. Her father Deenanath was a classical singer and stage actor. She became a playback singer, someone who sings the songs in films on behalf of the actors, and sometimes also a composer. Her career lasted eight decades. She recorded songs in more than thirty-six Indian languages and a few foreign ones, above all in Hindustani, Bengali and Marathi. She died in 2022.

Music and breakthrough

She was known for her discipline. She always recorded her songs barefoot, out of respect for the recording studio, which she saw as a temple. Although she was a perfectionist, by her own account she never listened to her songs after they were released, because she would hear only mistakes. In 1974 she was the first Indian playback singer to perform at the Royal Albert Hall in London. She was listed in the Guinness Book of Records as the most recorded artist, until her sister Asha Bhosle replaced her.

Influence

In 1989 she received the Dadasaheb Phalke Award and in 2001 the Bharat Ratna, India's highest civilian honour, as the second woman singer to do so. In 2009 France appointed her an officer of the Legion of Honour. She was called the Queen of Melody. Her voice is high, clear and light, and her songs gave Indian film music a face with which the whole subcontinent could identify. Pyar Kiya To Darna Kya from 1960 and Aaj Phir Jeene Ki Tamanna Hai from 1965 are well-known examples.

Listening

Listening tip. Listen to Aaj Phir Jeene Ki Tamanna Hai. Notice the clear, light voice and how she moves through a long melody without forcing.

Discography

Studio albums

In School of Rock

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Mentioned in other articles

See also

Categories: ArtistsBollywood film musicGolden age of Hindi film music