End of an era

Celebrated Indian singer Lata Mangeshkar, known to millions as the “Nightingale of India,” passed away on Sunday morning at the age of 92. The entire nation and Bollywood fans all across the globe are in a state of deep shock. It is unbelievable. Condolences have started pouring in from across the world for the melody queen who had the most beautiful voice on this earth.

Legendary singer Lata was a national treasure. She was highly loved and respected for her voice.

Almost everyone who loves Bollywood songs must have enjoyed her wide variety of songs. Today she is not with us, but her voice, which moved our hearts and provided succour to our souls for more than seven decades, will forever be with us.  Over the decades, she was decorated with a multitude of rewards and honours — three Padma awards, five Filmfare Awards, the Dadasaheb Phalke Award — capped by the Bharat Ratna in 2001. More than that, state governments named awards and institutions after her.

Despite achieving so much name and fame, Lata remained humble throughout her life. She was a nice human being who always had respect for her fellow artists. It is not easy to be at the pinnacle of her success and remain rooted firmly in the ground. It was only Lata who could manage it with grace. We are going to miss her.  

Kavita Hansal,
By email