Lata Mangeshkar: The nightingale at 75

'She practiced, worshipped and worked hard and achieved success. And she practices till this day.' Music composer Naushad.

'With Lata's entry into music, and the kind of prowess she had, music directors were so attracted to her singing that other artistes were eclipsed by her. She became a favourite with almost all the music directors.' --Singer Manna Dey.

Lata Mangeshkar's associates and fans alike never cease to marvel at her prodigous talent. She has effortlessly lent her voice to numerous female characters in Indian films, ranging from Madhubala, Meena Kumari, Waheeda Rehman to Hema Malini, Madhuri Dixit and Kajol. Her range of singing is simply amazing. Her repertoire includes thumris, khayals, ghazals and qawwalis.

She has moved both the masses and establishment alike. To mention an example, her patriotic song Ai mere watan ke logon, zara aankh me bhar lo paan. Jo shahid huy hain unki yaad karo qurbani. ( Oh my countrymen, let your eyes well up with tears. Remember the sacrifice of the martyrs). This poignant song, to which she lent her voice, reportedly reduced the then Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru to tears at the time of the Indo-China war in 1962.

Likewise Javed Akhtar, film writer and lyricist, was effusive in his praise of Lata. In an article on Lata for the Indian magazine, The Week, he is reported to have said, 'The earth hath but one sun, one moon and one Lata.'

Lata is best remembered for all time classics such as Jab pyar kiya to darna kya (from the film Mughal-e-Azam), Mausam hai aashiquana (Pakeezah), Yeh zindagi usi ki hai (Anarkali) and Sawan ka mahina pawan kare shor (Milan).

Among this melodious singer's new ventures is lending her voice to Yash Chopra's latest ode to romance, Veer- Zaara. The song was aired on FM radio in Mumbai when the music world celebrated her 75th birthday on September 28.

Along with the bouquets, Lata has also received her share of brickbats. There is a section of opinion in the media which paints her as a manipulative person who did not let other talented singers come up. However, her supporters have a ready rejoinder to this criticism. One internet article says, 'It is not known how much truth there is in such allegations, but it is beyond dispute that Lata is a legend in her lifetime and unquestionably the best singer India has produced. Her contribution to making music popular throughout India and the world is incalculable and she has reigned supreme all through the last six decades.'

Age sits lightly on Lata today. Her voice retains its youthful resonance and commands attention. Lata has an answer. As she says, 'It's you people who keep saying that I am 75 years old. I consider myself young and youthful.'

Compiled by Cultural Correspondent