The Narendra Modi government has plans to award incredible playback singer Lata Mangeshkar with the 'Daughter Of The Nation' title when she turns 90 on September 28. Mangeshkar will be given the title as a tribute to her commitment to Indian film music for more than seven decades.
Writer lyricist Prasoon Joshi has composed a special song for the event. "Modiji is a very big fan of Lataji's voice. She represents the collective voice of the Indian nation. Honouring her is to honour the daughter of the nation and that's what we will officially designate her on her 90th birthday," an informed source from the legislature said.
The amazing artist was in news recently when she talked about web sensation, Ranu Mondal. Commenting on her, Lata had said in an ongoing meeting, "Agar mere naam aur kaam se kissiko bhala hota hai toh main apne-aap ko khush-kismat samajhti hoon (If anyone gets benefited from my name and work then I feel fortunate)."
"But I also feel imitation is not a reliable and durable companion for success. By singing my songs or Kishoreda's (Kumar), or (Mohd) Rafi Saab's, or Mukesh Bhaiyya or Asha's (Bhosle) numbers, aspiring singers can get short-term attention. But it won't last," says Lataji, at the cusp of 90.
Her comment, be that as it may, hadn't gone down well with numerous on the internet. Many said that she could have been more thoughtful.
"Such a superstar and so ungracious," composed a user on Twitter. "A poor lady sang on a railway platform for a living. #RanuMondal's voice was miraculously noticed by SM and she became a star. Inspiring Lata ji could have been more gracious, complimented and helped her. This lecture on "imitation" was avoidable," another user said.
A user "disagreed" with Mangeshkar and called her "a bit harsh", while another said this could have been taken in "true spirits by a senior artist like Lataji".
Ranu Mondal, who has now recorded three tracks for artist-writer Himesh Reshammiya, turned into an overnight social media sensation after a video of her singing Lata Mangeshkar's profound number "Ek Pyaar ka nagma hai" at Ranaghat railway platform went viral on the internet.
The video has paved the way for her phenomenal rise from a street singer to a debutante playback singer in Bollywood.