Latha Mangeshkar is probably the greatest singer in the world till date as far as hindi film industry is concerned. Her early Music carrier started of in a different style. First she was an actor in early childhood days. Her father Pandit Dinanath Mangeshkar could little have predicted that the eldest of his offspring would be named 'THE NIGHTINGALE OF INDIA'. 'The undisputed and indispensable queen of India's playback singing' as Time magazine avers. 'The Living Legend'.... 'The Phenomenon'....
She is the only person who is recognized as the largest contributor to film music. No one else is synonymous with the power and magic of hindi film music, whose mesmeric reign continues to amaze critics and devotees alike. When she was seven years old Latha played Narad role, to her father's Arjun's role in a play. She was showing signs of maturity and sobriety that would remain her trademark characteristics, when she started acting and singing. Glimpse of brilliance that would light up celluloid like a meteor. She played in Hindi and Marathi films like Pahili Mangalagaur (1942), Maze Baal (1943), Badi Maa (1945) and so on....
Like the above she kicked of her carrier in acting. She never gave up singing thought. Her father was her Guru and inspired her to go for singing. Her father died at an young age pushing more burden on Latha. Latha then took up the responsibility. She first met Kishore Kumar, one more legend of Indian Music, people round the world die to hear his music, on cassette No.3, Kishore Kumar da recollects. Her pitch and voice were too good for people to forget. On her way to become one of the legends, she sang many duets with many great male singers like Rafi, Mukesh and many more.... She then went on to sing many old classical as well as the latest Romantic songs. Latha had a sister named Asha Bonsle, who is considered as an ever green romantic singer. She had five sisters. She never looked back once she started singing for Hindi films. Even today she sings for many Hindi films. Over the years she ruled the Indian film industry as far as music is concerned.
She as won four film fare awards. Recognizing her talent the Indian government as given her Padma Bhushan in 1989, a mention in the 'Guinness Book of World records' and the only Asian to receive the 'Platinum Disc o EMI London'. She is the inspiration for film music. A shining light of perseverance. one of the current leading producer and director of Hindi films Yash Chopra says........... 'Usually it is an artist who follows the art. But in Latha's case, it's the art that followed her'. This is the story of one of the legends of Indian Music.
Watch out for more of these legends coming up on my site.........
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