Shiv Sena gets Lata Mangeshkar to sing for it

The Shiv Sena has roped in nightingale Lata Mangeshkar to celebrate the 50th foundation day of Maharashtra on May 1 at the Bandra-Kurla complex.

“Mangeshkar will recite a popular Marathi song, Bahu asot sundar sampanna ki maha, Priya amucha ek Maharashtra desh ha and ask the audience to sing along on this occasion,” a press release by Sena stated.

Interestingly, Mangeshkar had sung the same song on the formation day of the state, May 1, 1960, at a function at Shivaji Park, in the presence of prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru.

A Sena source said Mangeshkar had accepted the party’s invite because of her closeness to the Thackerays.

“Didi has stopped singing at public functions. But when Uddhavji (Thackeray) requested her to sing the song, she could not refuse,” he said.

The song was penned by Shripad Krishna Kolhatkar and Shankarrao Vyas was the music director. Lalita Phadke was the original singer of the song which later became a symbol of the state’s pride.

The Sena’s rival Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) also has planned to celebrate Maharashtra Day.

There was speculation that master blaster Sachin Tendulkar will be chief guest at the MNS’ event to counter Sena’s event but no one from party confirmed it.