The most beloved singer of India is Lata ji, affectionately called Lata Didi. She was born in Sikh Mohalla, Indore on September 28, 1929. Her father, Pt. Deenanath Mangeshkar, was a classical singer with his own drama troupe. She had three sisters: Meena ji, Asha ji, Usha ji and a brother, Hridaynath. The children spent their childhood traveling with their father and music was always part of life. Her father, their first teacher, gave them early musical training.

Because the family was always on the move, the children had little formal schooling. Instead, Lata ji’s father took charge of their education, nurturing their musical instincts from a young age. When he passed away in 1942, young Lata ji began acting in Marathi movies to support the family, a courageous step for a 13-year-old. She also trained under the classical maestro Amanat Ali Khan Bhindibazarwale. Later, music directors Ghulam Haider and Naushad ji recognized her exceptional talent and gave her a breakthrough in Hindi cinema.

In that era, established singers like Noor Jehan and Shamshad Begum had thick, rich voices. Many felt his voice was thin. But it was precisely this clarity and purity that made Lata ji stand out. She performed across every conceivable platform and her songs traveled around the world.

Lata ji received every major honour: starting with the Padma Bhushan in 1969, followed by the Padma Vibhushan in 1999 and culminating in the Bharat Ratna in 2001. Her name also found its way into the Guinness Book of World Records for recording the most songs globally. Over her extraordinary career, she amassed around 250 trophies and 150 gold discs.

Lata ji passed away on February 6, 2022, in Mumbai, at the age of 92. She died of multi-organ failure following complications from COVID-19. The nation observed two days of mourning and she was honored with a state funeral, attended by top leaders, Bollywood icons and countless admirers. India mourned the loss of its Swar Kokila, the Nightingale whose melodies had woven into the soul of generations.

As a person, Lata ji remained remarkably simple. She maintained a disciplined diet to preserve the texture of her voice and always acknowledged everyone who supported her rise to stardom. That humility is the hallmark of true greatness.

Her legacy lives on, not just through her recorded songs, but also in the hearts of people across continents.