Mangeshkar, Lata (1929–)

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Mangeshkar, Lata (1929–)

Indian singer. Name variations: Anandadhan or Anandaghan; Anand Ghar. Born Sept 28, 1929, in Indore, Madhya Pradesh, India; dau. of Dinanath Mangeshkar (theatrical company owner and classical singer, died 1942) and Shudhhamati Mangeshkar; sister of Meena Mangeshkar, Asha Bhosle Mangeshkar, Usha Mangeshkar, Hridaynath Mangeshkar; studied with father, classical scholar Amanat Ali Khan Bhindibazarwala, Ustad Amanat Khan Devaswale, and Pandit Tulsidas Sharma.

Credited with having the world's most recorded voice, 1st acted in films (1942–48); made breakthrough as playback singer in movie Majboor (1948) and followed with hits in 4 more films (1949), becoming the singing voice of actresses in over 2,000 musical films during 36-year career; composed for several movies under pseudonym Anand Ghar (1950–65) and has also produced several films over course of career; experienced phenomenal success, rendering over 40,000 songs in 20 Indian languages, including "Uthaye Ja Unke Situm" (Andaaz, 1949), "Rasik Balma" (Chori Chori, 1956), "Bedardi Balma" (Arzoo, 1966), "Ae Dil-e-Nadan" (Razia Sultan, 1980) and "Jiya Jale" (Dil Se, 1998); received Bharatha Rathna, the highest civilian honor, by the Government of India.

See also Harish Bhimani, In Search of Lata Mangeshkar (South Asia Books, 1995).

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