Thread by @IWTKQuiz

मेरी आवाज़ ही, पहचान है
गर याद रहे

#RIPLataji a phenomenal singer, someone who brought India together with her voice.

A short thread honoring her.

Her birth name was Hema. She was later renamed Lata after the key character Latika in the play Bhav Bandhan.

Her father Deenanath Mangeshkar had worked on that play. #RIPLataji

After the death of her father in 1942, the responsibility of the family fell on the shoulders of Lata.

She sang in Marathi films and even acted in a few.

The film Badi Maa, in 1948, starred Lata Mangeshkar, Asha Bhonsle and Lata's idol Noor Jehan. #RIPLataji

One of her early breakthrough hits is 'Aayega Aanewala' from Mahal. This haunting tone was essentially the theme song for the film and after its recording, many wondered if a slow track work. #RIPLataji

It worked instantly.

It is said that the gramophone record carried the singer’s name as Kamini - the character played by Madhubala in the film. But post this song, playback singers were getting credits in records. #RIPLataji

When filmfare started its awards for films, initially it did not award singers. After pressure from singers, Filmfare started honoring singers in 1959.

Lata Mangeshkar was the first winner of the Best Singer award in 1959 - till 1968 it was combined for male & female singers.

There is a story that Lata Mangeshkar refused her first filmfare award as the the statuette was designed in the shape of a woman who had no clothes on.

The organisers finally wrapped the award with a handkerchief and presented it to the singer.
[citation needed]
#RIPLataji

In 1971, Lata Mangeshkar wrote to Filmfare to not consider her for awards anymore. This was to encourage other singers.

In 1979, Asha Bhosle did the same and asked Filmfare not to considered for the awards anymore. #RIPLataji

List of Marathi films - Mohityanchi Manjula, Maratha Tituka Melvava, Saadhi Manasa, Tambdii Mati. What connects them?

All music given by one Anandghan.

Who is Anandghan? Its a pseduonym Lata Mangeshkar used to compose music. #RIPLataji

For Mohityanchi Manjula, no music director was available and Lata Mangeshkar agreed to compose the music.

The veteran director Bhalji Pendharkar was worried and sounded her out about the possible damage to her image if she failed.

Then came the idea of adopting a pseduonym.

For the music of Anand, Hrishikesh Mukherjee initially wanted Anandghan or Lata Mangeshkar. By then, her workload as a singer had increased and she politely refused.

Music for Anand by Anandghan would have sounded wonderful. #RIPLataji

Hrishikesh Mukherjee loved Lata Mangeshkar and even wanted her for a cameo in the film 'Golmaal'.

The song 'Ek Din Sapne Mein Dekha Sapna' had cameos by Amitabh Bachchan, Rekha, Hema Malini, Zeenat Aman.

Lata refused to do the cameo and Hrishikesh Mukherjee used a still photo

Lata Mangeshkar eventually did do a cameo in the film Pukar. The song 'Ek tu hi bharosa' was picturized on her.

It was that rare occasion where she sang for herself on screen. #RIPLataji

There have been stories of tiffs and rivalries with her sister Asha Bhosle. Both have denied it publicly.

@yooday mentions the cameo by Asha Bhosle in the film Taxi Taxie.

Maybe they played on the perceived rivalry and laughed it off. #RipLataMangeshkar

Kavi Pradeep was walking on the road when he thought of some lines. As he did not have pen and paper, he took a pen from a stranger and wrote the lyrics on the back of a cigarette box. It was then composed by Ramachandra and Lata agreed to sing it. #RIPLataji

Then in a fundraiser organized by the film industry for war widows in 1963, Lata Mangeshkar sang 'Aye Mere Watan ke Logo' in the presence of President S Radhakrishnan and Prime Minister Jawahar Lal Nehru.

There was not a single dry eye after her rendition.

There are many more facts to add for a career as long and as stellar as Lata Mangeshkar.

But we wish everyone listens to her immortal voice today and leave you with a playlist.

#RIPLataji #RipLataMangeshkar

open.spotify.com/playlist/37i9d…