AS A gaggle of Lata Mangeshkar followers eagerly anticipate police to allow them to enter Dadar’s Shivaji Park, they provide a befitting tribute to the legend. They begin singing ‘Tera jaana, dil ke aramaanon ka loot jaana…’ from Anari (1959), their eyes mounted on their smartphone screens for the lyrics.
Strangers until some minutes in the past, they met on Sunday afternoon as they queued up for the final glimpse of the singer. Preetu Rani Singh and Abhishek Bhardwaj, who’re a part of a music band, led the refrain whereas the others who sang alongside had been simply music lovers.
For Singh, catching a glimpse of her idol was not the one motive why she got here speeding there with Bhardwaj as quickly as they obtained to know of the venue. She stated she wished to specific her gratitude to Mangeshkar.
Fifteen years in the past, when Singh moved to Mumbai from Bokaro, she earned her dwelling by performing fashionable songs of the legendary singer at a lodge and bar in Chembur.
“In Mumbai, I met Abhishek, who is like a guide and big bother. He formed an orchestra group and that is how I have been making my living. We perform regularly at shows in different places. I have even got a house of my own in Mumbai now. My group and I will continue to sing her songs,” stated Singh. Her keyboardist husband couldn’t come as he’s taking good care of their daughter, she stated.
She picks ‘Lag jaa gale’ from Woh Kaun Thi (1964) and ‘Naam gum jayega’ from Kinara (1977) as two of her favourites.
As the information that Mangeshkar’s final rites can be held at Shivaji Park unfold, individuals from far and large trooped in by way of the day, hoping to get a glimpse of the cultural icon.
Some from outdoors deliberate a visit prematurely to town once they obtained to know that the singer was as soon as once more placed on ventilator help. One of them was Lata Vijay Londhe, 36, from Karnataka who was on the park together with her mother-in-law and two aunts-in-law.
Londhe works as a home assist whereas her husband is a housekeeper. After very proudly emphasising that her identify too is ‘Lata’, she stated, “Didi bahut bhaari thi. Woh hamare desh ke aan baan aur shaan thi (Didi was remarkable. She was our country’s pride and glory).”
Her favorite songs, she stated, was the one which was taking part in on the cremation space — Lag Jaa Gale — and Ae Mere Watan Ke Logon, which Mangeshkar carried out on the Republic Day celebrations in Delhi in 1963.
Visually challenged Audambar Tushiram Banker, 40, left Pune for Mumbai within the morning after coming to know of the demise. Banker, who performs for an orchestra in Pune, stated he as soon as met his favorite singer and her youthful sister Usha Mangeshkar at an occasion. He was at Shivaji Park with fellow admirer of Mangeshkar, Sunandha Mokashe, 70. “I wanted to express my love and respect for Lata Didi one last time,” stated Banker.
Leaders pay tribute
President Ram Nath Kovind: “Lataji’s demise is heart-breaking for me, as it is for millions the world over. In her vast range of songs, rendering the essence and beauty of India, generations found expression of their inner-most emotions.”
Prime Minister Narendra Modi: “The kind and caring Lata Didi has left us. She leaves a void in our nation that cannot be filled. The coming generations will remember her as a stalwart of Indian culture, whose melodious voice had an unparalleled ability to mesmerise people.”
Union Home Minister Amit Shah: “A complementer of notes and music, Lata Didi, through her melodious and spellbinding voice, imbued generations of India and the world with the sweetness of Indian music. Her contribution to the world of music cannot be expressed in words. Her demise is a personal loss for me.”
Congress chief Rahul Gandhi: “Received the sad news of Lata Mangeshkar ji’s demise. She remained the most beloved voice of India for many decades. Her golden voice is immortal and will continue to echo in the hearts of her fans. My condolences to her family, friends and fans.”
Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh: “…India has lost a great daughter. She was the Nightingale of India and through her songs made an immense contribution to the cultural integration of the country.”
