End of a Melodious Era : Remembering Lata Mangeshkar

One of India ‘s leading singing stars, Lata Mangeshkar, passed away in Mumbai yesterday. She was widely considered as one of the greatest and most influential singers in India. Her contribution to Indian music industry in a career spanning seven decades earned her many prestigious titles such as the Nightingale of India, Voice of the Millennium and Queen of Melody.

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She has recorded songs in over thirty-six Indian languages and a few foreign languages, though primarily in Hindi, Bengali and Marathi. She received several accolades and honors throughout her career. In 1987, the Dadasaheb Phalke Award was bestowed on her by the Government of India. In 2001, in recognition of her contributions to the nation, she was bestowed with the Bharat Ratna, India's highest civilian honour, and is only the second female singer to be honoured, after M. S. Subbulakshmi from the south.

There was no dearth of awards when it came to her. She was the recipient of three National Film Awards, 15 Bengal Film Journalists' Association Awards, four Filmfare Best Female Playback Awards, two Filmfare Special Awards, the Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award and many more. In 1974, she became the first Indian to perform at Royal Albert Hall, London.

She was a household name in every Indian family across the country. She may be gone, but her rich and lovely voice will always linger in everyone’s mind through her evergreen songs. She was a great inspiration for several budding singers and was considered as the ultimate role model and followed her footsteps. Her nurturing and motivation also made her two sisters and brother equally famous and very highly talented in their own way.

Noted poet and lyricist Gulzar tweeted: 'It’s in my good karma that I could work with her. She is a miracle and this kind of miracle happens very rarely.' Sharing her thoughts, Sharmila Tagore said that she recalls her late husband Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi’s friendship with Lata Mangeshkar and how both shared passion for wildlife and cricket. Tributes continued to pour from all parts of the world as she was laid to rest at the Shivaji park crematorium.

Mangeshkar's last rites and cremation were held with full state honours at Mumbai's Shivaji Park on Sunday which was attended by Prime Minister Modi and several music lovers and senior dignitaries from the state.