Latha Mangeshkar — an iconic brand of Indian film music, a legend that requires no introduction, a name that's familiar to people across generations and regions, and a figure of national pride. Her name instantly that brings to mind a lady with a warm smile, clad in a red-bordered, white silk saree, and tons of stunning songs for every mood, event and emotion that there is. She dominated the Bollywood music industry from the pre-Indian independence era right up to the present times. Her story of personal victories changed the course of women performers in India. She has stood a model for aspiring as well as established singers of all generations since then. Born on September 28, 1929, she worked on Indian music. Her repertoire of songs included the popular, the light and the classical kinds and she has been applauded for singing every kind of song, be it ghazals, bhajans or pop, with unparalleled ease and conviction. From Madhubala to Zeenat Aman to Kajol, she has sung over 50,000 songs for multiple generations of heroines, and in 36 languages. From acting and singing in Marathi films at a very tender age to dominating the Bollywood scene much beyond what most would consider a retirement age, her life has been an interesting journey, one that she fought and travelled with grace and calm. Lata ji constantly worked on her own style to suit the traditional and modern actresses. Her clear, distinct and resonating voice that binds people through the decades, represents the voice of an entire era and nation. Lata Mangeshkar was ranked 10th in the ""Greatest Indian"" poll of Outlook in 2012. Along with such interesting facts, let's recall her first break, some haunting melodies, her interests beyond music, her versatility, her achievements and her contribution to Indian and World music.

Nagamruta Mallapragada

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