The Nightingale of India has decided to spend her birthday quietly with her family and attend an award function later in the day.
Despite mesmerising generations through her mellifluous voice in a career spanning over seven decades, legendary singer Lata Mangeshkar, who turns 82 on Wednesday, still continues to pour her soul into songs.
The Nightingale of India, who has around 30,000 songs to her credit, has, however, decided to spend her birthday quietly with her family and attend an award function later in the day.
"I do not celebrate my birthday in a lavish way. I do not believe in cutting cakes. It will be a family affair...where all family members will be present. My whole day will be spent in accepting wishes from friends and fans worldwide. Later in the day, I will go for Hridaynath award function," Lata said.
Starting her career in 1942 with songs in Marathi, Lata's first Hindi song was Paa lagoon kar jori for Vasant Joglekar's movie Aap Ki Seva Mein in 1946. Two years later, composer Ghulam Haider gave Lata her first major break with the song Dil mera toda in Majboor and after that there was no looking back for Lata didi, as she is fondly called.
She has recorded songs for over a thousand Bollywood movies and has sung songs in over thirty-six regional Indian languages and foreign languages. However, her major work is in Hindi.
Recipient of the Bharat Ratna, the highest civilian award in the country, she has lent her voice to generations of Bollywood actresses from Madhubala to Kajol, has given countless performances in films as well as on stage. She is the most sought-after singers by top filmmakers from Yash Chopra to Sanjay Leela Bhansali.
"I think whatever I am today...is all because of my fans and well wishers. It is all due to their never-ending love, blessings, support and appreciation. I thank all my fans and well-wishers for making me Lata Mangeshkar," Lata said.
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