The nation will miss the cherished, iconic vocalist Lata Mangeshkar, Prime Minister Narendra Modi declared on Wednesday, ahead of the ‘Pran Pratishtha’ ceremony at Ayodhya Ram Temple on January 22.
“As the nation awaits January 22 with great enthusiasm, one of the people who will be missed is our beloved Lata Didi,” said Prime Minister Modi on social networking site X. PM Modi shared a shloka that she had sang and said it was the last recording made by Lata Mangeshkar, who died on February 6, 2022, at the age of 92. “Our dear Lata Didi is among the persons who will be missed as the country eagerly anticipates January 22nd. She sang this Shlok here. I was informed by her relatives that it was the final Shlok she recorded. #ShriRamBhajan.
Along with the shlok, “Shree Ramarpan, Mata Ramo Matpita Ramchandrah,” he also shared its link. Born on September 28, 1929, the “Nightingale of India” left a lasting legacy in music. Even after she is gone, the power she created with her voice still reverberates throughout the entire nation.
For many years, the renowned singer dominated the music business. She has received various honors and accolades over her career. The Dadasaheb Phalke Award was given to her. In 2001, she received the Bharat Ratna. The highest civilian honor granted by France was to her in 2007 when she was named an Officer of the National Order of the Legion of Honour.
Among her many honors were three National Film Awards, fifteen Bengal Film Journalists’ Association Awards, two Filmfare Special Awards, the Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award, and four Filmfare Best Female Playback Awards, which she declined to accept. She made history in 1974 when she performed at London’s Royal Albert Hall as the first Indian playback vocalist. Even though Lata Mangeshkar had a multi-organ failure and died on February 6, 2002, at the age of 92, her heartfelt melodies, like “Ajeeb Dastan Hai Ye,” “Ae Mere Watan Ke Logo,” “Lukka Chuppi,” and “Tere Liye,” will always hold a special place in our hearts.
In the meantime, plans are in full motion for the Pran Pratishta celebration of Ram Lalla’s idol in the magnificent Ayodhya temple. Prime Minister Modi will be the main guest at the consecration event on January 22, along with other prominent public and political personalities. From January 14 to January 22, Ayodhya will celebrate Amrit Mahotsav in observance of the occasion.
