Having recorded over 5,000 soundtrack songs for over 1,000 Bollywood films and dominated Bollywood music for more than half a century with her sister, who is also a superstar, she is widely regarded as the best soundtrack singer in the Indian film industry throughout history.
In 2001, she was awarded the Order of the National Treasure of India, the highest honor for Indian citizens. In 2007, the French government awarded her the Legion of Honor, the highest honor for officers.
She is one of India's greatest cultural icons, the "Indian Nightingale" Ratta Manjisika.
"A Gift from God"
Rata was born on 28 September 1929 in Maharashtra, the son of a classical music singer. At the age of 5, Rata began singing songs at religious gatherings with her father.
In 1942, Latta's father died, and at the age of 13, Lata began supporting the family. It was also in this year that Latta recorded songs for Bollywood films for the first time.
Lata in her youth
Later, Rata moved to Mumbai, india's film capital, where she became a household name in India. Crisp singing and rich Hindu music have made Rata popular in Bollywood.
From India's earliest superstars, Madubara and Mina Kuma, to popular actress Puyaka Chopra, they have starred in films that use the soundtrack sung by Rata.
Rata is one of the most popular singers in India.
According to statistics, Rata recorded more than 5,000 soundtrack songs for more than 1,000 Bollywood films in his lifetime, with a total of about 27,000 musical works, covering dozens of languages including English, Russian, Dutch and Swahili.
Arguably, as a singer, Rata Mangisika redefined music and melody for generations in South India.
Rata's songs are always full of emotion, and mainly sad unrequited songs, but there are also works that sing about national pride. No matter what kind of emotion, she can easily convey it to the audience. She once proudly said: "When I sing a lullaby, I become a mother; when I sing love songs, I am a lover again." ”
"My voice is a gift from God," Rata once told a reporter.
"No matter what she (Lata) sang, the singing voice was extremely beautiful," said the writer Anirudha Bhattacharjee, "there has never been such a person as her, and I don't think there will be in the future." ”
He also praised Latta's singing voice as perfect, "a perfection that cannot be described, and she can effortlessly express any emotion naturally in the song." ”
The Nightingale flew away
On 11 January 2022, Rata was hospitalized with COVID-19 and died in Mumbai on 6 February due to "multiple organ failure" at the age of 92.
On the same day, the Indian government announced that a state funeral would be held for Rata, and two days of national mourning would be held on the 6th and 7th, and all government departments in the country lowered their flags at half-mast.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi called Rata's death an "unfillable void" for India, "and future generations will remember her as a staunch advocate of Indian culture, and her beautiful voice is fascinating with unparalleled charm." ”
Modi arrives in Mumbai to pay his final tribute to Rata.
Rata was unmarried and extremely disciplined, so until she was in her 80s, her singing voice was still the same as when she was younger, which allowed her to sing film soundtrack songs for young actresses who were 50 years younger than her.
Critics have complained that Rata's absolute status in the Indian music scene leaves no room for new singers to develop. No matter how time flies, her listeners are always loyal to her, which makes her songs always at the top of the Indian music charts.
Rata once said: "Fame will eventually run out, and the face will grow old." But as long as you remember my singing voice, I will not be forgotten. ”
After singing for more than half a century, the legendary Indian singer laid down the world and followed the Ganges to the paradise of her heart.
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