Nation bids farewell to the legend, Lata Mangeshkar; Condolences pour in from various countries

Nation bid tearful adieu to Nightingale of India, Lata Mangeshkar whose mortal remains were consigned to flames at Shivaji Park in Mumbai with full state honours yesterday. The funeral of the legendary singer was attended by a galaxy of leaders including Prime Minister Narendra Modi who placed a wreath on the mortal remains of the iconic singer, draped in the national flag.

Bharat Ratna awardee Lata Mangeshkar passed away yesterday at the age of 92 due to multiple organ failures. The Queen of Melody was admitted to Breach Candy hospital in Mumbai on 8th of January after she was diagnosed with COVID-19.

The government has declared a two-day national mourning as mark of respect to the departed soul. Maharashtra government has also declared public holiday today due to demise of the veteran singer.

The West Bengal government has also declared a half-day holiday as a mark of respect to the icon. Bihar Government has also declared two-day state mourning.

Born on 28th of September in 1929, Lata Mangeshkar who was fondly called ‘Lata Didi’ was one of the greatest playback singers in the country. She was born in a musical family to Pandit Deenanath Mangeshkar and Shevanti Mangeshkar. Her father was a well-known Marathi musician and theatre artiste. She was first tutored by her father and later appeared as a child artiste in several of his plays.

The icon, who presented generations with unbridled joy through her songs, has been India’s favourite voice ever since her debut in the 1940s.

In one of her interviews with All India Radio, the acclaimed singer had once told about her liking for playback singer Noor Jahan and how she got a chance to sing her songs:

Renowned personalities from various fields have expressed their deepest condolences on the loss of the iconic singer. Several Political leaders have expressed deep affection for the singer. President Ram Nath Kovind, Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and other leaders have expressed grief on the demise of the doyen of the Indian playback singing.

President Kovind said Lata-ji’s demise is heartbreaking for him as well as millions of people the world over. He said, in Lata Mangeshkar’s vast range of songs, rendering the essence and beauty of India, generations found expression of their innermost emotions.
The Vice President said, India has lost its voice in the death of Lata ji, who has enthralled music lovers in India and across the globe with her mellifluous and sublime voice for many decades.

Prime Minister Modi said, Lata Didi’s songs brought out a variety of emotions and she closely witnessed the transitions of the Indian film world for decades.
The Prime Minister said, he has always received immense affection from Lata Didi and interactions with her will remain unforgettable. Mr Modi said, she leaves a void in our nation that cannot be filled and the coming generations will remember her as a stalwart of Indian culture, whose melodious voice had an unparalleled ability to mesmerise people.

Global leaders and diplomats also extended their condolences on the demise of ‘Melody Queen of India’.
Bangladesh President M Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina have expressed profound shock and sorrow at the death of the legendary singer of the sub-continent.
Calling Lata Mangeshkar the empress of music, Prime Minister Hasina in her condolence message said that she will remain alive forever in the hearts of the people in the region through her works.

Sri Lankan Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa also expressed grief on the demise of veteran singer. In his message, Mr. Rajapaksa said, Lata Mangeshkar’s songs transcended borders and gave life to the phrase ‘music is a universal language’.

Nepal President Bidya Devi Bhandari paid rich tributes to the legendary singer, saying her soulful Nepali songs enriched music in Nepal. Pakistan’s Minister for Information and Broadcasting Chaudhary Fawad Hussain said that Lata Mangeshkar was a melodious queen, who ruled the world of music for decades.

France’s ambassador to India, Emmanuel Lenain, in a tweet said, he was deeply saddened by Lata Mangeshkar’s death and referenced the Officier de la Legion d’Honneur, France’s highest civilian award, which it conferred on Nightingale of India” in 2007.

German Ambassador to India, Walter J. Lindner paid tribute to Lata Mangeshkar, saying, she was a legend and an irreplaceable voice who remained an institution of music for seven decades and her legacy will live forever.

The US embassy in India also paid tribute to Lata Mangeshkar. It said, History will mark her contribution to India’s music in golden words.