While speaking at the first Lata Deenanath Mangeshkar Award Ceremony!
Lata Mangeshkar was considered one of the greatest singers in India. Her contribution to the Indian music industry was immense. She was the eldest of her four siblings - Meena Khadikar, Asha Bhosle, Usha Mangeshkar and Hridaynath Mangeshkar. While her songs had always been the highlight of her career, her camaraderie with her sister Asha Bhosle was also something that grabbed a lot of attention.
Lata Mangeshkar and Asha Bhosle had a very strong bond from early childhood. So much so that on her first day of school, Lata left the premises because they would not allow her to bring her sister Asha with her. Both sisters, Lata Mangeshkar and Asha Bhosle began singing to support their family.
Both Lata Mangeshkar and Asha Bhosle worked in the Indian music industry around the same time but the kind of songs they sang were very different from each other.
Lata Mangeshkar who won millions of hearts with her melodious voice throughout her life, was known for her principles as much for her singing abilities. So much so that she refused to sing at weddings even after being offered a huge amount of money. Asha Bhosle revealed that someone had once invited them for a wedding. They had tickets worth a million dollars or pounds. They said they wanted Asha Bhosle and Lata Mangeshkar.
After consulting with her sister, the late singer told the rep that they won't sing at any wedding even if they offered Rs 10 crore. The person was reportedly very disappointed. In her emotional speech, Asha also recalled how Lata had once worked despite suffering from a 104-degree fever.
Her sister and veteran singer Asha Bhosle revealed this while speaking at the First Lata Deenanath Mangeshkar Award ceremony in Mumbai on Sunday and Prime Minister Narendra Modi received the first Lata Deenanath Mangeshkar Award for his selfless service to the nation.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday received the Lata Deenanath Mangeshkar Award and remembered the iconic singer as an artiste who was an integral part of nation - building. Modi, who regarded her as his elder sister, is the first recipient of the award.
"Lata Didi, apart from being the queen of melody, was my elder sister. She taught generations the language of love and compassion. I feel fortunate that she loved me like an elder sister. After many decades, this will be the first Rakhi when Didi won't be here," Modi said in his award acceptance speech.
Asha Bhosle started her career in 1943 and was noted for her versatility and voice range. She reigned for about 60 to 70 years and has sung over 12,000 songs in over 20 Indian languages apart from Hindi.
Lata Mangeshkar aka The Nightingale of India had sung more than 30,000 songs in several Indian languages over her seven - decade - long singing career. Lata Ji also the recipient of three National Film Awards, 15 Bengal Film Journalists' Association Awards, and many more.
Lata Mangeshkar took her last breath at the age of 92 on February 6, 2022.
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