Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tribute to the late great singer Lata Mangeshkar on Sunday, saying she was India’s cultural ambassador who had made an indelible mark on the world of music over her nearly eight-decade career.
Mr. Modi was speaking at Shanmukhananda Hall in Mumbai, where he received the first Lata Deenanath Mangeshkar Award, which was established in honor of the great singer, who died in February this year at the age of 92. The Master Deenanath Mangeshkar Smruti Pratishthan charity organization said the award would be granted to only one person each year for “path-breaking, spectacular, and exemplary services to the country, its people, and society,” according to a statement.
Mr. Modi, the inaugural winner, was described as “an international statesman who has put India on the path of global leadership” in the award citation. The Prime Minister praised Lata Mangeshkar as the “empress of music,” comparing her to his older sister.
“When an award is given in the name of an older sister, such as Lata didi, it represents her oneness and love for me.” This honor is dedicated to all of my compatriots. The prize in her honor belongs to everyone, just as she stood for everyone. What could be a greater honor than receiving the love of a sister from Lata didi, who has given the gift of love and emotion to generations?” the Prime Minister said, adding that while he did not usually attend award ceremonies, he felt obligated to accept this award, which was a symbol of the Mangeshkar family’s affection for him.
PM Modi: Lata Mangeshkar’s voice has left an effect on the world of music
The PM said Lata Mangeshkar‘s voice has left an effect on the world of music for nearly 80 years, saying she was the embodiment of simplicity and an exemplar of the vision of a “great India.”
“Lata didi has sung in almost 30 different Indian languages. She has a place in the hearts of people from all around the world. With her mellifluous performances, she helped bring the devotional melodies of our great poet-saints Tulsidas, Dnyaneshwar, Mirabai, and Narsinh Mehta into the public consciousness,” Mr. Modi remarked. Mr. Modi recalled how [late classical singer] Sudhir Phadke had introduced him to Ms. Mangeshkar 40-45 years ago when speaking of his warm relations and long association with the Mangeshkar family.
“Since then, I’ve been showered with love. Lata didi was equivalent to my older sister, I can say with pride. She has influenced generations of singers,” he remarked. The PM singled out the Deenanath Mangeshkar Hospital in Pune, which was founded by the late singer and praised for its exemplary care to the impoverished, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Mr. Modi was flanked on his left by Asha Bhosle and Usha Mangeshkar, and on his right by Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari, who insisted on sitting in the audience. Maharashtra Environment, Tourism, and Protocol Minister Aaditya Thackeray met the Prime Minister at the Mumbai airport upon his arrival.
While top Maharashtra Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders were present, including Leader of the Opposition in the State Assembly, Devendra Fadnavis, Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray, and most of the ruling Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government leaders were conspicuously absent, with the exception of Industries Minister Subhash Desai.