Lata Mangeshkar Death Anniversary: 7 Interesting Facts To Know About Nightingale Of India

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FEBRUARY 06,2024

When we think about some of the incredible artists who took the Indian music scene to another level, Lata Mangeshkar would top the list. She was an incredible singer, a legendary artist, and, above all, a beautiful human being. It's been two years since we lost her.

For the uninitiated, Lata Mangeshkar was also known as the Nightingale of India because of her melodious and soothing voice. She gave old Bollywood songs a meaning and melody that made even a mediocre film a superhit.

Some of her timeless songs include Lag Jaa Gale, Ajeeb Dastaan Hai, Hoothon Mein Aisi Baat, Aapki Nazron Ne Samjha, Mere Khwabon Mein Jo Aaye, and Chalte Chalte, among others.

On her second death anniversary, let us tell you some interesting facts about Lata Mangeshkar.

1. Changed her name after a famous character

Born Hema, she was later rechristened Lata, inspired by a famous character named Latika in her father's play, Bhaaw Bandhan.

2. Started singing at the age of 5

The singer's father was a theater artist and a classical singer. She was exposed to music at a very young age. She was just five years old when she started singing. In an interview, Lata Ji opened up and recalled her childhood days.

Also Read: Lata Mangeshkar Features On Rolling Stone's 200 Best Singers Of All Time

"It so happened that once my father asked his Shagird (disciple) to practice a Raag while he finished some work. I was playing nearby, and suddenly a note of the Raag that Shagird was rendering jarred. And the next minute, I was correcting him. When my father returned, he discovered a shagird in his own daughter," she said.

3. Rose to fame with this song

Did you know that when she entered the film industry as a playback singer, Lata Didi was rejected as her voice was considered too thin? It was the time when Noor Jehan and Shamshad Begum ruled Bollywood with their heavy vocals.

She rose to fame with the iconic song 'Aayega Aanewala', from the film Mahal in 1949.

4. Lata Mangeshkar never listened to her own songs

In an old interview with Bollywood Hungama, the Nightingale of India revealed that she would never listen to her own songs. When asked why, she said she would find several faults in her singing.

5. Her relationship with Madan Mohan

The legendary music director and the spectacular singer shared a beautiful bond as he showed complete faith in her. Lata Didi once said, "I shared a special relationship with Madan Mohan, which was much more than what a singer and a music composer share. This was a relationship between a brother and a sister."

While Lata Mangeshkar worked with many music directors, she never worked with OP Nayyar.

6. Guinness Book of Records

The late singer broke all records to become the most recorded artist, having sung around 25,000 songs. However, it was Mohammed Rafi who claimed the contest and joined her in 1991.

Lata Mangeshkar became the first ever Indian artist to perform live at the iconic Royal Albert Hall in the UK. This marked her debut on the international stage.

7. Her first song never went live

At the age of 13, Lata Didi recorded her first song for the Marathi film Kiti Hasaal. However, the song "Naachu Yaa Gade, Khelu Saari Mani Haus Bhaari" was removed from the final cut.

Radio City fondly remembers Lata Mangeshkar on her second death anniversary. We miss you, legend.