Nightingale Lata Mangeshkar falls silent 

At a time when it was common practice for films and record companies to not acknowledge playback singers at the end credits or LPs, Lata's voice – a defining characteristic of her music – catapulted Lata into the mainstream. 

As she said in an interview with Khalid Mohamed for a book, "When I had sung for the Marathi film Gajaabhau (1943), I hadn't been credited either. Immediately after Aayega Aanewaala, the moviegoing audience, radio listeners as well as filmmakers started asking, 'But who is the girl who did the playback?' I started getting requests from radio stations to sing for them."   

Lata Mangeshkar was an iconic artist in the realm of Indian music and Indian classical music; captivating audiences, and influencing countless musicians, throughout the world. But despite her monumental success as an artiste, she lived a simple life and never failed to be in touch with her courteous and humble roots. 

The iconic singer and composer passed away on 6 February 2022 at the age of 92. She was admitted at Breach Candy Hospital in Mumbai in January due to Covid pneumonia. She initially responded to the treatment, doctors said, but her condition deteriorated in the first week of February and she had been put on a ventilator since. Lata suffered multiple organ failure after undergoing treatment for 28 days.

She is survived by her four siblings, Meena, Asha (Bhosle), and Usha, Hridaynath. 

"Many artistes forget their debts to those who showed them the path, success alas breeds forgetfulness," said, during the same interview excerpted in the Quint. "Gratitude keeps an artiste grounded, enticing him or her to hang on to hope...I would like to continue singing till my voice gives up on me. Singing is all that I know."

Born in 1929, Lata was the eldest daughter of Deenanath Mangeshkar – a Natya sangeet musician, Hindustani classical vocalist and towering personality in Marathi theatre. She was introduced to music and acting by him. She performed at his plays since the age of four. 

Lata's father passed away in 1942, when she was 13. Vinayak Damodar Karnataki, owner of Navyug Chitrapat movie company and a close friend of the Mangeshkars, looked after the family. He helped Lata get started in a career as a singer and actress. 

Lata trained in the disciplines of Indian classical music under the guidance of Ustad Aman Ali Khan of the Bhindibazaar Gharana in 1945. After Vinayak's death in 1948, Lata was mentored by music director Ghulam Haider. 

"He was the first music director who showed complete faith in my talent," she said in an interview in 2013. Lata caught the attention of mainstream media for her performance in Majboor in 1948. 

A career spanning for over seven decades, Lata Mangeshkar has been honoured with titles such as Nightingale of India and Queen of Melody. 

"...I cannot put into words how much I adore her. I grew up listening to Lata Mageshkar's songs on the radio and memorising them. I may not be able to sing all of her songs but I know them very well," shared Ankhi Alamgir in an interview with The Business Standard. 

Lata sang for tracks estimated between 15,000 to 30,000 in 36 languages. Some of her popular Hindi songs include 'Pyaar kia to darna kya', 'Lag ja gale', 'Kora Kagaz tha', 'Kabhi kabhi Mere Dil Main', 'Tere Bina Zindagi Se', 'Pyar Hua Iqrar Hua', 'Ajeeb Dastaan Hain Yeh', 'Tujse Naraz Nahi Zindagi', 'Main Chali Main Chali','Piya Tose' and 'Hothon Main Aisi Baat'.   

"It's a sad day for us. Somebody like Lata Ji isn't just an icon, she's a part of India's music & poetry; this void will remain forever. I used to wake up to a picture of Lata Didi's face and get inspired; was lucky to record a few songs and sing along with her," said AR Rahman in a post on his social media account. 

Lata has earned a monumental number of awards and accolades throughout her career. She is a recipient of the Padma Bhushan and Padma Vibhushan – two of India's highest civilian awards, Dadasaheb Phalke Award - India's highest award in the field of cinema, Maharashtra Bhushan (1997) - highest civilian award presented the Government of Maharashtra state, Bharat Ratna (2001) - India's highest civilian honour, and Legion of Honour - highest civilian award conferred by the government of France, to name a few. 

She also sang 185 songs in Bangla, since 1956. She is credited for songs such as 'Akash Prodip Jole', 'O Mor Moyna Go', 'Prem Ekbar Eshechilo Nirobe', 'Nijhum Shondhay Sranto Pakhira', 'Ashar Srabon Mane Na Toh Mon', 'Ja Re Jare Ure Jare Pakhi' And 'Saat Bhai Champa Jagore'. She travelled to Bangladesh after the Liberation War and performed at many places throughout the country.

"What can I even say about such a great artiste? I am speechless, I am hurt. Saraswati Puja was celebrated the day before, and now she left. We lost the Saraswati of music! She listened to me sing in immense concentration, and then smiled and blessed me. I will never forget that day. May her departed soul rest in peace," expressed Bangladeshi singer Sabina Yeasmin.