Baba was master of music, astrology, reminisces Lata Mangeshkar

“Building the Deenanath Mangeshkar Hospital was just like publishing a biography of Baba,” said Bharat Ratna awardee and legendary playback singer, Lata Mangeshkar, while paying tribute to her late father and veteran vocalist-cum-actor, Master Deenanath Mangeshkar.

Breeda Tujhe Jagi Deenanath, a biography on Mangeshkar’s father, written by singer-writer Vandana Ghangurde, was released by the melody queen at the Yashwantrao Chavan auditorium on Wednesday.

The book, published by Nadabramaha and Anubandh Prakashan, was bought on the stage in a palanquin. “Though we had published Baba’s biography many years ago, it was forgotten. Breeda Tujhe Jagi Deenanath has rare photographs of Baba and Ghangurde has managed to get information about Baba from his close associates, Ganpatrao Mohite and Prabhakar Jathar,” she added.

As an elder daughter and disciple, Lata shared memories of her father. “Along with music, Baba had mastery over astrology as well. He had also foretold our future,” she said.

Eminent music composer Pandit Hridaynath Mangeshkar said, “Though Baba didn’t liked to spoil a raga by deconstructing it, he used to change it without qualms if he thought a certain sur would enhance it. All the tunes from Manapman became very popular. He successfully broke all technical restrictions on music.”

Lata Mangeshkar’s sisters Usha Mangeshkar, Meena Khadikar, renowned author and critic Da Bhi Kulkarni and Ravindra Ghangurde were present.