5 unknown facts about Lata Mangeshkar

Fondly termed as Didi and the Nightingale of India, Lata Mangeshkar rules a million hearts. The legendary singer has been in the news recently since the sad demise of yesteryear actress Nanda. Social networking sites were abuzz with the news of the fake death of Lata Mangeshkar post Nanda's passing away. Creating a trend on social media, Lata Mangeshkar does not need to be in the news to create a stir. She's a name in herself and second to none! Here are a few unknown facts about India's most talented singer and legend.

Lata Mangeshkar, as most know, is the daughter of Pandit Deenanath Mangeshkar, (a theatre actor and classical singer) and Shevanti (Shudhamati). Born on 28th September 1929, Lata was not her original name. She was born as Hema but rechristened later as Lata after a famous character Latika from her father's play Bhaaw Bandhan. Lataji started singing at the age of five and studied the fine art of music with Aman Ali Khan Sahib and Amanat Khan, established and famous singers of that time. When Lata Mangeshkar entered the film industry as a playback singer, she was rejected because in that era, signers like Noor Jehan and Shamshad Begum ruled the roost with their heavy nasal voices. Lata didi's voice was considered too thin for that time. She acted in over eight films from the year 1942-1948 due to the sad demise of her father who passed away in 1942, leaving Lataji to fend for her family. With no success in these films, she debuted with playback singing for the Marathi film Kiti Hasaal (1942) but the song never saw the light of day as it was edited form the film.

It is said that she moved India's first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru to tears when she sang the song Aye Mere Watan Ke Logon, Zara Aankh Me Bhar Lo Pani. This was in 1962 when India lost the war to China and Pandit Ji apparently said to her that she had moved him to tears. She apparently has a permanent gallery reserved for her at the Lord's Stadium from where she enjoys watching her favourite game- Cricket. She became the first Indian in 1974 to have performed in the Royal Albert Hall, London. It is said that Lata didi believes that her voice suits actress Saira Banu's the best!

As her popularity soared, everyone wanted to associate with India's nightingale. In 1999, the perfume Lata Eau de Parfum was launched. The same year, she was nominated as a Member of Parliament. However, due to ill health the noted singer could not attend the sessions in Rajya Sabha which drew a lot of flack. Interestingly, Lata didi did not take a single penny or a salary or a house in Delhi for her services an MP. Putting her creative talents to the test once again, Lata Mangeshkar designed for an Indian diamond export company called Adora. The collection was called Swaranjali and five pieces from this collection were auctioned at Christies and raked in £105,000. Being generous as she was, she donated the money for the 2005 Kashmir earthquake relief. She has made the Nation proud and has been award India's Highest Civilian Award- the Bharat Ratna, making her the only second vocalist to be the recipient of this prestigious award. That apart, she has been awarded the Padma Bhushan , Padma Vibhushan, Dada Saheb Phalke Award, Maharashtra Bhushan Award, NTR National Award, Bharat Ratna, ANR National Award and three National Film Awards to name a few. She has been awarded an Honorary Doctorate by six universities including one by the New York University.

In a shocking state of controversies, the gentle, shy and soft spoken Lata did was in the news once again but for different reasons. She was allegedly romantic linked to noted musician Bhupen Hazarika. In a shocking statement to Zee News, the late musician's estranged wife had stated that the two would spend nights together and her husband apparently told her that if a musicians wants to come up, he has to have his songs sung by Lata Mangeshkar. This statement is said to have enraged Hazarika's partner Kalpana Lajmi and all the Mangeshkars. As per reports in the media, it was Lata didi's alleged decade long love affair with the late Raj Singh Dungapur that came to light. He was the son of royalty and he had apparently promised his parents that he would not bring home a commoner bride. It is said that the duo met in Mumbai when Raj Singh Dungapur ended up playing cricket with Lata didi's brother at their Walkeshwar house. They came from different backgrounds and maybe those things were not allowed in those days, as commitment to families came first. Though the two remained unmarried, this itself was proof of their eternal love, if stories of their true love are anything to go by.