Personalities Across the World Pay Homage to Lata Mangeshkar

Personalities from all walks of life paid their tributes to late singer Lata Mangeshkar, who passed away on Sunday morning at Mumbai’s Breach Candy Hospital at the age of 92.

A legendary singer, who has voiced over 20,000 songs in about 36 languages, Mangeshkar, fondly known as ‘Nightingale of India’, died due to multiple organ failure at 8:12 am on Sunday, after 28 days of hospitalisation.

Mangeshkar was born on September 28, 1929 in Indore, Madhya Pradesh. She began her career in the 1940s as a 13-year-old, entering the film industry as her family’s sole breadwinner. In a career spanning over seven decades, the singer has recorded several songs for over a thousand Hindi films, and sung in other languages too such as Marathi, Bengali, Tamil, Telugu, and Malayalam. Her first recording was for the 1942 Marathi film Kiti Hasal and her debut in playback singing was for the 1947 Hindi film Aap Ki Seva Mein.

Her demise came as a huge loss for everyone who knew and celebrated her, and celebrated composers like Ilaiyaraaja and AR Rahman were among those who shared heartfelt messages, remembering the late singer.

Rajya Sabha Chairman Venkaiah Naidu paid his respects to the singer by making an obituary reference at the upper house of the Parliament, before the day’s proceedings began on Monday. The session was also adjourned for an hour, after a minute of silence as a mark of respect.

A soldier from the Indo-Tibetan Border Police force played a saxophone rendition of Mangeshkar’s Ae Mere Watan Ke Logon. This patriotic song commemorates Indian soldiers who died during the Sino-Indian War in 1962.

Singer Shreya Ghoshal wrote on Twitter, “Feeling numb. Devastated. Yesterday was Saraswati Puja and today Ma took her blessed one with her. Somehow it feels that even the birds, trees and wind are silent today. Swar Kokila Bharat Ratna Lata Mangeshkar ji your divine voice will echo till eternity.”

Singer KS Chitra said that India “lost its voice” in her condolence message. “A voice that defined Indian music for generation(s). Lataji has enriched our lives for decades with her soulful voice. Her legacy is unparalleled. Even though Lataji is not with us physically, her voice will remain in our hearts.”

Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan said that with Mangeshkar’s death, the “subcontinent has lost one of the truly great singers the world has known. Listening to her songs has given so much pleasure to so many people all over the world.”

Indian cricketer Sachin Tendulkar, shared, “I consider myself fortunate to have been a part of Lata Didi’s life. She always showered me with her love and blessings. With her passing away, a part of me feels lost too. She’ll always continue to live in our hearts through her music.”

Calling her one of the “greatest legends,” Telugu actor Chiranjeevi said that the “vacuum due to this colossal loss can never be filled.” He added, “She lived an extraordinary life. Her music lives on and will continue to cast a spell until music is there!”

One of Mangeshkar’s memorable songs in Tamil was Valaiyosai from the Kamal Haasan-starrer Sathyaa (1988). The actor-politician, while sharing an old photograph with Mangeshkar and others, wrote that her music transcended languages and conquered many hearts. “I am proud that she has sung timeless songs in Tamil and Hindi films that I have acted in. Tributes to the queen of music from Indore,” he added.

Micro sculpture artist Sachin Sanghe posted a video of a chalk carving of Mangeshkar’s face, while sand artist Sudarsan Pattnaik created a piece of art in Puri beach, Odisha.

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Several states have declared periods of mourning and public holidays, with the national flag flying at half-mast, as a token of respect to the late singer. Mangeshkar was cremated with full state honours in Mumbai’s Shivaji Park at 6.30 pm on Sunday.

Her last rites were attended by several members of the film industry, including actors Shah Rukh Khan, Aamir Khan and Ranbir Kapoor. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray were also present at the funeral to pay tribute to the veteran singer.

She is survived by her siblings Asha Bhosle, Meena Khadikar, Hridyanath Mangeshkar, and Usha Mangeshkar.