Who does not know Lata Mangeshkar? This legend had even moved Late Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru with her voice when she sang “Ae Mere Vatan Ke Logo” live in presence of thousands of people. But did you know once she refuse to sing?
What happened then and why did she refuse? Unfolding all the unknown facts about Lata Mangeshkar related to her personal and professional life.
When Lata Mangeshkar Refused To Sing In Front Of Nehru Ji?
via:dainikbhaskar
Back in 1963 on the Republic Day of India, the legendary singer Lata didi was given a chance by lyricist Pradeepji to sing in front of PM Nehru and other leaders. His daughter Indira Gandhi, then-President S. Radhakrishnan, and other prominent leaders were also present. But she refused to go on stage saying she was not prepared.
However, when Mehboob Khan Saab- the director of Mother India- met her and said Nehru is calling you she could not refuse the invitation. And when she weaved lyrics in her melodious voice Nehru could not stop his tears.
This is just a part of her 78-year long singing career that made her a legendary singer.
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Unknown Facts About Lata Mangeshkar
via:thebetterindia
1. Her real name is Hema and later renamed Lata by her father. The name was inspired by a play character Latika in which her father Pandit Deenanath was performing.
2. She was not allowed to enter school on the first day as Lata used to take Asha (her second sibling) along with her and used to give music lessons to others in the school. This made her leave school forever as per few sources.
3. Singer Lata Mangeshkar faced several rejections before making space in the music industry because her voice was ‘too thin’ unlike singers of that era
4. The Bharat Ratna awardee also acted in films when she was only five. She has also produced four films” Lekin, Kanchan Ganga, Jhaanjhar, and Vaadal” in Hindi and Marathi languages.
5. Mohammad Rafi and Lata engaged in a Guinness Book controversy over the most number of records by an artist. Surprisingly, she was not even aware of the total numbers and wondered how editors got the data.
6. She has voiced more than thousands of iconic songs in 36 different languages including Urdu, Bengali, Hindi, and Marathi
7. Lata Mangeshkar is the first and only Indian singer to perform at London’s iconic venue- Robert Albert Hall
8. Queen of Melody was not only honored with the highest civilian award of India but France also awarded her with Legion of Honor (highest military and civil order of merit).
9. A strange incident in 1962 made her rest for three months as she turned weaker due to slow poisoning.
10. Songs of Lata Mangeshkar are proof that why Time Magazine once titled her as “Indisputable and Indispensable queen of India.”
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The 92-years old singer has worked with some of the prominent singers and music directors of all time like Madan Mohan, Laxmikant-Pyarelal, Raj Kapoor, A.R. Rahman, Md. Rafi, and more.