A rare unifying force for all Indians

M. A. Siraj | NT

I n the passing away of Lata Mangeshkar, India bids farewell to a legend who reigned over 1.25 billion hearts within the country and several millions more across the globe. If people around the world were to be asked to recall two most known Indians, perhaps Lata would be next to Mahatma Gandhi, the Father of the Nation.

Leaving behind a record 25,000 songs in 36 languages, she outsung all her rivals and in a voice that left listeners spellbound and will continue to mesmerize everyone till eternity. The iconic singer rode like a colossus across Bollywood during her extraordinary career spanning 73 years, composing songs with all great known musicians such as Kalyanji-Anandji, Salil Choudhury, Naushad, S.D. Burman, Khemchand Prakash and HusnlalBhagatram.

A rare unifying force for all Indians, her songs were soothing and cast a magical spell with exceptional melancholy or rare flamboyance. Few singers were put on a pedestal as high as her during their lifetime and it was no surprise that she won accolades like Nightingale of India, Queen of Melody and Sakshat Saraswati. Yet none of them were adequate enough to capture the quality and talent her persona exuded. In her death, the world of music has developed a void, difficult to fill.