Lata Mangeshkar
Lata Mangeshkar About this sound pronunciation (born 28 September 1929), commonly referred to as Lataji, is
an Indian singer, and occasional music-composer. She is one of the best-known and most respected playback singers in
India. Mangeshkar's career started in 1942 and has spanned over seven decades. She has recorded songs for over a
thousand Hindi films and has sung songs in over thirty-six regional Indian languages and foreign languages, though
primarily in Marathi and Hindi. She is the elder sister of singers Asha Bhosle, Hridaynath Mangeshkar, Usha Mangeshkar
and Meena Mangeshkar. She is the second vocalist to have ever been awarded the Bharat Ratna, India's highest civilian
honour.
Mangeshkar was featured in the Guinness Book of World Records from 1974 to 1991 for having made the most recordings
in the world. The claim was that she had recorded approximately 25,000 solo, duet, and chorus-backed songs in 20 Indian
languages between 1948 to 1974. The category was removed in 1991 and re-introduced in 2011. In 2011 Guinness
officially acknowledged Mangeshkar's sister Asha Bhosle as the most recorded artist in music history.
Early life
Lata Mangeshkar was born in a Marathi-speaking Gomantak Maratha family, in the princely state of Indore, part of the
Central India Agency (now part of Madhya Pradesh). Her father, Pandit Deenanath Mangeshkar was a classical singer and
theater actor. Her mother Shevanti (Shudhamati) who was from Thalner, Maharashtra, was Deenanath's second wife. The
family's last name used to be Hardikar; Deenanath changed it to Mangeshkar in order to identify his family with his native
town, Mangeshi in Goa. Lata was named "Hema" at her birth. Her parents later renamed her Lata after a female character,
Latika, in one of her father's plays, BhaawBandhan. Lata is the eldest child of her parents. Meena, Asha, Usha and
Hridaynath are her siblings in sequence.
Mangeshkar took her first lessons from her father. At the age of five, she started to work as an actress in her father's
musical plays (Sangeet Natak in Marathi). On the first day in the school, she started teaching songs to other children. When
the teacher stopped her, she was so angry that she stopped going to the school. Other sources cite that she left school
because they would not allow her to bring Asha with her, as she would often bring her younger sister with her.
Singing career
Early career in the 1940s
In 1942, when Mangeshkar was 13, her father died of heart disease. Master Vinayak (Vinayak Damodar Karnataki), the owner
of Navyug Chitrapat movie company and a close friend of the Mangeshkar family, took care of them. He helped Lata get
started in a career as a singer and actress.
Mangeshkar sang the song "Naachu Yaa Gade, Khelu Saari Mani Haus Bhaari" which was composed by Sadashivrao
Nevrekar for Vasant Joglekar's Marathi movie Kiti Hasaal (1942), but the song was dropped from the final cut. Vinayak gave
her a small role in Navyug Chitrapat's Marathi movie Pahili Mangalaa-gaur (1942), in which she sang "Natali Chaitraachi
Navalaai" which was composed by Dada Chandekar. Her first Hindi song was "Mata Ek Sapoot Ki Duniya Badal De Tu" for
the Marathi film, Gajaabhaau (1943). Mangeshkar moved to Mumbai in 1945 when Master Vinayak's company moved its
headquarters there. She started taking lessons in Hindustani classical music from Ustad Amanat Ali Khan . She sang “Paa
Lagoon Kar Jori” for Vasant Joglekar's Hindi-language movie Aap Ki Seva Mein (1946), which was composed by Datta
Davjekar. The dance in the film was performed by Rohini Bhate who later became a famous classical dancer. Mangeshkar
and her sister Asha played minor roles in Vinayak's first Hindi-language movie, Badi Maa (1945). In that movie, Lata also
sang a bhajan, “Maata Tere Charnon Mein.” She was introduced to music director Vasant Desai during the recording of
Vinayak's second Hindi-language movie, Subhadra (1946).
Following the partition of India in 1947, Ustad Amanat Ali Khan migrated to newly formed Pakistan, so Mangeshkar started
to learn classical music under Amanat Khan Devaswale. Pandit Tulsidas Sharma, a pupil of Ustad Bade Ghulam Ali Khan,
also trained her.
After Vinayak's death in 1948, music director Ghulam Haider mentored her as a singer. Haider introduced Mangeshkar to
producer Sashadhar Mukherjee, who was working then on the movie Shaheed (1948), but Mukherjee dismissed
Mangeshkar's voice as "too thin." An annoyed Haider responded that in the coming years the producers and the
directors would "fall at Lata's feet" and "beg her" to sing in their movies. Haider gave Lata her first major break with the
song “Dil Mera Toda,” from the movie Majboor (1948).
Initially, Mangeshkar is said to have imitated the acclaimed singer Noor Jehan, but later she developed her own style of
singing. Lyrics of songs in Hindi movies are primarily composed by Urdu poets and contain a higher proportion of Urdu
words, including the dialogue. Actor Dilip Kumar once made a mildly disapproving remark about Mangeshkar's
Maharashtrian accent while singing Hindi/Urdu songs; so for a period of time, Lata took lessons in Urdu from an Urdu
teacher named Shafi.
One of her first major hits was “Aayega Aanewaala,” a song in the movie Mahal (1949), which was composed by music
director Khemchand Prakash and lip-synced on screen by actress Madhubala.
1950s
In the 1950s, Mangeshkar sang songs composed by various music directors of the period, including Anil Biswas (in films
such as Tarana and Heer), Shankar Jaikishan, Naushad Ali, S. D. Burman, Pandit Husan Lal Bhagat Ram (in films like Bari
Behan, Meena Bazaar, Afsana, Aadhi Raat, Ansoo, Chhoti Bhabi, Adal-e-Jehangir) C. Ramchandra, Hemant Kumar, Salil
Chowdhury, Khayyam, Ravi, Sajjad Hussain, Roshan, Kalyanji-Anandji, Vasant Desai, Sudhir Phadke, Hansraj Behl, Madan
Mohan, and Usha Khanna. She made her debut in Tamil playback singing with Vanaradham in 1956 (Uran Khotala dubbed
in Tamil) with Tamil song Enthan Kannalan picturised on Nimmi in the dubbed version composed by Naushad.
Mangeshkar sang many raga-based songs for Naushad in movies such as Baiju Bawra (1952), Mughal-E-Azam (1960), and
Kohinoor (1960). Ae Chorre Ki Jaat Badi Bewafa, a duet with G. M. Durrani, was her first song for composer, Naushad. The
duo, Shankar-Jaikishan, chose Mangeshkar for Aag, Aah (1953), Shree 420 (1955), and Chori Chori (1956). Before 1957,
composer S. D. Burman chose Mangeshkar as the leading female singer for his musical scores in Sazaa (1951), House No.
44 (1955), and Devdas (1955). However a rift developed between Lata and Burman in 1957, and Lata did not sing Burman's
compositions again until 1962.
Mangeshkar won a Filmfare Award for Best Female Playback Singer for Salil Chowdhury's composition “Aaja Re Pardesi,”
from Madhumati (1958). In the early fifties, Lata Mangeshkar's association with C. Ramchandra produced songs in movies
such as Anarkali, Albela, Asha, Pehli Jhhalak, Shin Shinkai Bublaa Boo, Azad and Amardeep. For Madan Mohan, she
performed for films like Adalat, Railway Platform, Dekh Kabira Roya and Chacha Zindabad.
1960s
Mangeshkar's song "Pyar Kiya To Darna Kya" from Mughal-e-Azam (1960), composed by Naushad and picturized on
Madhubala, still remains famous . The Hawaiian-themed number "Ajeeb Dastaan Hai Yeh" from Dil Apna Aur Preet Parai
(1960) was composed by Shankar Jaikishan and picturized on Meena Kumari.
In 1961, Mangeshkar recorded two popular bhajans, "Allah Tero Naam" and "Prabhu Tero Naam", for Burman's assistant,
Jaidev. In 1962, she was awarded her second Filmfare Award for the song "Kahin Deep Jale Kahin Dil" from Bees Saal Baad,
composed by Hemant Kumar.
On 27 June 1963, against the backdrop of the Sino-Indian War, Mangeshkar sang the patriotic song "Aye Mere Watan Ke
Logo" (literally, "Oh, People of My Country") in the presence of Jawaharlal Nehru, the then Prime Minister of India. The
song, composed by C. Ramchandra and written by Kavi Pradeep, is said to have brought the Prime Minister to tears.
In 1963, Mangeshkar returned to collaboration with S. D. Burman. She also sang for R. D. Burman's very first film Chhote
Nawaab and later for his films such as Bhoot Bangla (1965), Pati Patni (1966), Baharon ke Sapne (1967) and Abhilasha
(1969). She also recorded several popular songs for S. D. Burman, including "Aaj Phir Jeene Ki Tamanna Hai", "Gata Rahe
Mera Dil" (duet with Kishore Kumar) and "Piya Tose" from Guide (1965), and "Hothon Pe Aisi Baat" from Jewel Thief (1967).
During the 1960s, Lata Mangeshkar continued her association with Madan Mohan which included the songs "Aap Ki Nazron
Ne Samjha" from Anpadh (1962), "Lag Ja Gale" and "Naina Barse Rim Jhim" from Woh Kaun Thi? (1964), "Woh Chup Rahen
To" from Jahan Ara (1964), "Tu Jahan Jahan Chalega" from Mera Saaya (1966) and "Teri Aankho Ke Siva" from Chirag (1969).
The 1960s also witnessed the beginning of Mangeshkar's association with Laxmikant-Pyarelal, the music directors for
whom she sang the most popular songs in her career.Starting in 1963, Laxmikant-Pyarelal association with Lata Mangeshkar
grew stronger over the years. Lata Mangeshkar sang over 700 songs for the composer duo over a period of 35 long years,
most of which became huge hits. She sang for Parasmani (1963), Mr. X in Bombay (1964), Aaye Din Bahar Ke (1966), Milan
(1967), Anita (1967) Shagird (1968), Mere Hamdam Mere Dost (1968), Intaquam (1969), Do Raaste (1969) and Jeene Ki Raah
for which she got her 3rd Filmfare Award.
She also sang several playback songs for Marathi films, composed by Marathi music directors including Hridaynath
Mangeshkar, Vasant Prabhu, Srinivas Khale, Sudhir Phadke and herself (under the name Anandghan). During the 1960s and
1970s, she also sang several Bengali songs, composed by music directors like Salil Chowdhury and Hemant Kumar.
In this period Lata Mangeshkar has recorded duets with Mukesh, Manna Dey, Mahendra Kapoor, Mohammed Rafi, and
Kishore Kumar. For a brief period during the 1960s, she was not on good terms with Mohammed Rafi over the issue of
royalty payments to singers. Mangeshkar wanted Rafi to back her in demanding a half-share from the five percent song
royalty that the film's producer conceded to select composers. But Rafi took a diametrically opposite view, and
believed that a playback singer's claim on the filmmaker ended with the payment of the agreed fee for the song. This led
to tensions between the two. After an argument during the recording of the song Tasveer Teri Dil Mein (Maya, 1961), the
two refused to sing with each other. The music director Jaikishan later negotiated a reconciliation between the two.
1970s
In 1972, Meena Kumari's last film, Pakeezah, was released. It featured popular songs including "Chalte Chalte" and "Inhi
Logon Ne" sung by Lata Mangeshkar, and composed by Ghulam Mohammed. She recorded many popular songs for S. D.
Burman's last films, including "Rangeela Re" from Prem Pujari (1970), "Khilte Hain Gul Yahaan" from Sharmeelee (1971), and
"Piya Bina" from Abhimaan (1973).She recorded many popular songs for Madan Mohan's last films, including Dastak (1970),
Heer Raanjha (1970), Dil Ki Rahen (1973), Hindustan Ki Kasam (1973), Hanste Zakhm (1973), Mausam (1975) and Laila
Majnu (1976).
Lata Mangeshkar's most notable songs in 1970s were composed by Laxmikant-Pyarelal (Laxmi-Pyare) and Rahul Dev
Burman. She recorded several songs composed by Laxmi-Pyare in 1960s and 1970s, many of them written
by the lyricist Anand Bakshi. She also recorded many hit songs with Rahul Dev Burman in the films Amar Prem (1972),
Caravan (1971), Kati Patang (1971), and Aandhi (1975). The two are noted for their songs with the lyricists Majrooh
Sultanpuri, Anand Bakshi and Gulzar.
In 1973, she won the National Film Award for Best Female Playback Singer for the song "Beeti Na Bitai" from the film
Parichay, composed by R. D. Burman, and written by Gulzar. In 1974, she sang her only Malayalam song "Kadali
Chenkadali" for the film Nellu, composed by Salil Chowdhury, and written by Vayalar Ramavarma. In 1975, she again won
the national award, this time for the song "Roothe Roothe Piya" from the film Kora Kagaz, composed by Kalyanji Anandji.
From 1970s onwards, Lata Mangeshkar has also staged many concerts in India and abroad, including several charity
concerts. Her first concert overseas was at the Royal Albert Hall, London, in 1974. She also released an album of Mirabai's
bhajans, Chala Vaahi Des, composed by her brother Hridaynath Mangeshkar. Some of the bhajans in the album include
"Saanware Rang Raachi" and "Ud Jaa Re Kaaga". In the early 1970s, she released other non-film albums, such as her
collection of Ghalib ghazals, an album of Marathi folk songs (koli-geete), an album of Ganesh aartis (all composed by her
brother Hridaynath) and an album of abhangs of Sant Tukaram composed by Shrinivas Khale.
In 1978, Raj Kapoor direct Satyam Shivam Sundaram Lata Mangeshkar lends her voice to the main theme song "Satyam
Shivam Sundaram", which was among the chart-toppers of the year.The story of was inspired by Lata Mangeshkar reveals
Raj Kapoor's daughter Ritu Nanda in her latest book.
I visualised the story of a man falling for a woman with an ordinary countenance but a golden voice and wanted to cast
Lata Mangeshkar in the role. The book quotes Raj Kapoor as saying.
In late 1970s and early 1980s, she worked with the children of composers she had earlier worked with. Some of these
composers included Rahul Dev Burman (son of Sachin Dev Burman), Rajesh Roshan (son of Roshan), Anu Malik (son of
Sardar Malik), and Anand-Milind (sons of Chitragupt). She also sang many songs in Assamese language and had a very
good relationship with Dada Saheb Phalke award winner singing legend Late Bhupen Hazarika. She sang many songs under
his guidance and in Rudaali the song "Dil hoom hoom kare" made a highestrecord of sales that year.
1980s onwards
From 1980s onwards, Lata Mangeshkar worked with music directors including Shiv-Hari in Silsila (1981), Faasle (1985),
Vijay (1988) and Chandni (1989). Ram Laxman in Ustadi Ustad Se (1981), Bezubaan (1982), Woh Jo Hasina (1983), Ye Kesa
Farz (1985) and Maine Pyar Kiya (1989) which was a musical hit.
During the 1990s, she recorded with music directors including Anand-Milind, Nadeem-Shravan, Jatin Lalit, Dilip Sen-Sameer
Sen, Uttam Singh, Anu Malik, Aadesh Shrivastava and A. R. Rahman. She recorded some non-film songs, including ghazals
with Jagjit Singh. She has also sung with S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, Udit Narayan, Hariharan, Kumar Sanu, Suresh Wadkar,
Mohammed Aziz, Abhijeet Bhattacharya, Roop Kumar Rathod, Vinod Rathod, Gurdas Maan and Sonu Nigam.
In 1990, Mangeshkar launched her own production house for Hindi movies which produced the Gulzar-directed movie
Lekin.... She won her third National Film Award for Best Female Playback Singer for her rendition of the song "Yaara Sili
Sili" from the film, which was composed by her brother Hridaynath.
Mangeshkar has sung for almost all the Yash Chopra films and films from his production house Yash Raj Films at that time,
including Chandni (1989), Lamhe (1991), Darr (1993), Yeh Dillagi (1994), Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (1995), Dil To Pagal
Hai (1997) and later on Mohabbatein (2000), Mujhse Dosti Karoge! (2002) and Veer-Zaara (2004).
During 1990, Mangeshkar records with Ram Laxman in Patthar Ke Phool (1991), 100 Days (1991), Mehboob Mere Mehboob
(1992), Saatwan Aasman (1992), I Love You (1992 film) (1992), Dil Ki Baazi (1993), Antim Nyay (1993), The Melody of Love
(1993), The Law (1994), Hum Aapke Hain Koun..! (1994), Megha (1996), Lav Kush (1997), Manchala (1999), and Dulhan
Banoo Main Teri (1999).
A. R. Rahman recorded a few songs with Mangeshkar during this period, including "Jiya Jale" (Dil Se..), "Khamoshiyan
Gungunane Lagin" (One 2 Ka 4), "Ek Tu Hi Bharosa" (Pukar), "Pyaara Sa Gaon" (Zubeidaa),"So Gaye Hain" (Zubeidaa) "Lukka
chuppi" (Rang De Basanti) and "O Paalanhaare" (Lagaan). She made an appearance in the film Pukar singing this song.
In 1994, Lata Mangeshkar released Shraddanjali-My Tribute To The Immortals. The special feature of the album is that Lata
offer her tributes to immortal singers of the time by rendering a few of their songs in her own voice. There are songs of
K.L.Saigal, Rafi, Hemant Kumar, Mukesh, Punkaj Mallick and Kishor Kumar, Geeta dutt, Zohrabai, Amirbai, Parul Ghosh and
Kanan Devi.
Mangeshkar sang both, Rahul Dev Burman's first and last song. In 1994, she sang last song Kuch Na Kaho for Rahul Dev
Burman in 1942: A Love Story.
In 1999, Lata Eau de Parfum, a perfume brand named after her, was launched.
In 1999, Mangeshkar was nominated as a member of Rajya Sabha. However, she did not attend the Rajya Sabha
sessions regularly, inviting criticism from several members of the House, including the Deputy Chairperson Najma
Heptullah, Pranab Mukherjee and Shabana Azmi. She stated the reason for her absence as ill-health; it was also
reported that she had not taken a salary, allowance or a house in Delhi for being a Member of Parliament.
In 2001, Lata Mangeshkar was awarded Bharat Ratna, India's highest civilian honor. In the same year, she established the
Master Deenanath Mangeshkar Hospital in Pune, managed by the Lata Mangeshkar Medical Foundation (founded by the
Mangeshkar family in October 1989). In 2005, she designed a jewellery collection called Swaranjali, which was crafted by
Adora, an Indian diamond export company. Five pieces from the collection raised £105,000 at a Christie's auction, and a
part of the money was donated for the 2005 Kashmir earthquake relief. Also in 2001, she recorded her first Hindi song
with the composer Ilaiyaraaja, for the film Lajja; she had earlier recorded Tamil and Telugu songs composed by Ilaiyaraaja.
Lata Mangeshkar's song "Wada Na Tod" is in the film Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004) and on the film's
soundtrack.
On 21 June 2007, she released an album Saadgi, featuring eight ghazal-like songs written by Javed Akhtar and composed
by Mayuresh Pai.
After 14 years, Lata Mangeshkar recorded a song for composer Nadeem-Shravan Kese Piya Sai Mein Kaho for Bewafaa
(2005). Lata Mangeshkar records songs for Madhur Bhandarkar Kitne Ajeeb Rishte Hain Yahan Par for Page 3 (2005),
Daata Sun Le for Jail (2009) and, Kyun Yahan Hota Hai was recorded years ago for Corporate (2006), but is only being used
in Heroine (2012).
On 28 November 2012, Lata Mangeshkar launched her own music label LM Music with an album of bhajans. She sung
along with younger sister Usha on the album. She is reportedly making a comeback in Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Ram
Leela (2013) in which she has agreed to sing a song.
Awards and recognitions
Lata Mangeshkar has won several awards and honors, including Bharat Ratna (India's Highest Civilian Award), Padma
Bhushan (1969), Padma Vibhushan (1999), Dada Saheb Phalke Award (1989), Maharashtra Bhushan Award (1997), NTR
National Award (1999), Bharat Ratna (2001), ANR National Award (2009), three National Film Awards, and 12 Bengal Film
Journalists' Association Awards. She has also won four Filmfare Best Female Playback Awards. In 1969, she made the
unusual gesture of giving up the Filmfare Best Female Playback Award, in order to promote fresh talent. She was later
awarded Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award in 1993.
In 1984, the State Government of Madhya Pradesh instituted the Lata Mangeshkar Award in honour of Lata Mangeshkar. The
State Government of Maharashtra also instituted a Lata Mangeshkar Award in 1992.
In 1974, The Guinness Book of Records listed Lata Mangeshkar as the most recorded artist in the history, stating that she
had reportedly recorded "not less than 25,000 solo, duet and chorus backed songs in 20 Indian languages" between 1948
and 1974. Her record was contested by Mohammed Rafi, who was claimed to have sung around 28,000 songs. After
Rafi's death, in its 1984 edition, the Guinness Book of World Records stated Lata Mangeshkar's name for the "Most
Recordings", but also stated Rafi's claim. The later editions of Guinness Book stated that Lata Mangeshkar had sung no
fewer than 30,000 songs between 1948 and 1987.
Although the entry has not been printed in Guinness editions since 1991, several sources claim that she has recorded
thousands of songs, with estimates ranging up to figures as large as 50,000. However, even the earliest Guinness
claim of 25,000 songs (between 1948–1974) was claimed to be exaggerated by several other sources, with one of them
stating that the number of songs sung by Lata Mangeshkar in Hindi films till 1991 was found to be 5250.
Mangeshkar herself stated that she does not keep a record of the number of songs recorded by her, and that she did not
know from where Guinness Book editors got their information. In 2011 Asha Bhosle was officially acknowledged by
Guinness as the most recorded artist in music history, surpassing Mangeshkar.
लता मंगेशकर
भारत रत्न लता मंगेशकर (जन्म 28 सितंबर, 1929 इंदौर), . भारत की सबसे लोकप्रिय और आदरणीय गायिका हैं जिनका छ: दशकों का कार्यकाल उपलब्धियों से भरा पड़ा है। हालांकि लता जी ने लगभग तीस से ज्यादा भाषाओं में फ़िल्मी और गैर-फ़िल्मी गाने गाये हैं लेकिन उनकी पहचान भारतीय सिनेमा में एक पार्श्वगायक के रूप में रही है। अपनी बहन आशा भोंसले के साथ लता जी का फ़िल्मी गायन में सबसे बड़ा योगदान रहा है।
लता की जादुई आवाज़ के भारतीय उपमहाद्वीप के साथ-साथ पूरी दुनिया में दीवाने हैं। टाईम पत्रिका ने उन्हें भारतीय पार्श्वगायन की अपरिहार्य और एकछत्र साम्राज्ञी स्वीकार किया है।
बचपन
लता का जन्म मराठा परिवार में , मध्य प्रदेश के इंदौर शहर में सबसे बड़ी बेटी के रूप में पंडित दीनानाथ मंगेशकर के मध्यवर्गीय परिवार में हुआ। उनके पिता रंगमंच के कलाकार और गायक थे। इनके परिवार से हृदयनाथ मंगेशकर और बहनें उषा मंगेशकर, मीना मंगेशकर और आशा भोंषले सभी ने संगीत को ही अपनी आजीविका के लिये चुना।
हालांकि लता का जन्म इंदौर में हुआ था लेकिन उनकी परवरिश महाराष्ट्र में हुई। जब लता सात साल की थीं तब वो महाराष्ट्र आईं। लता ने पाँच साल की उम्र से पिता के साथ एक रंगमंच कलाकार के रूप में अभिनय करना शुरु कर दिया था।
पार्श्व गायन में कदम
लता बचपन से ही गायक बनना चाहती थीं। बचपन में कुंदनलाल सहगल की एक फ़िल्म चंडीदास देखकर उन्होने कहा था कि वो बड़ी होकर सहगल से शादी करेगी। पहली बार लता ने वसंग जोगलेकर द्वारा निर्देशित एक फ़िल्म कीर्ती हसाल के लिये गाया। उनके पिता नहीं चाहते थे कि लता फ़िल्मों के लिये गाये इसलिये इस गाने को फ़िल्म से निकाल दिया गया। लेकिन उसकी प्रतिभा से वसंत जोगलेकर काफी प्रभावित हुये। पिता की मृत्यु के बाद (जब लता सिर्फ़ तेरह साल की थीं), लता को पैसों की बहुत किल्लत झेलनी पड़ी और काफी संघर्ष करना पड़ा। उन्हें अभिनय बहुत पसंद नहीं था लेकिन पिता की असामयिक मृत्यु की वज़ह से पैसों के लिये उन्हें कुछ हिन्दी और मराठी फ़िल्मों में काम करना पड़ा। अभिनेत्री के रुप में उनकी पहली फ़िल्म पाहिली मंगलागौर (1942) रही, जिसमें उन्होंने स्नेहप्रभा प्रधान की छोटी बहन की भूमिका निभाई। बाद में उन्होंने कई फ़िल्मों में अभिनय किया जिनमें, माझे बाल, चिमुकला संसार (1943), गजभाऊ (1944), बड़ी माँ (1945), जीवन यात्रा (1946), माँद (1948), छत्रपति शिवाजी (1952) शामिल थी. बड़ी माँ, में लता ने नूरजहाँ के साथ अभिनय किया और उसके छोटी बहन की भूमिका निभाई आशा भोंषलेने. उसने खुद की भूमिका के लिये गाने भी गाये और आशा के लिये पार्श्वगायन किया.
1945में उस्ताद ग़ुलाम हैदर (जिन्होंने पहलेनूरजहाँ की खोज की थी) अपनी आनेवाली फ़िल्म के लिये लता को एक निर्माता के स्टूडियो ले गये जिसमे कामिनी कौशल मुख्य भूमिका निभा रही थी. वे चाहते थे कि लता उस फ़िल्म के लिये पार्श्वगायन करे।. लेकिन गुलाम हैदर को निराशा हाथ लगी। 1947 में वसंत जोगलेकर ने अपनी फ़िल्म आपकी सेवा में में लता को गाने का मौका दिया. इस फ़िल्म के गानों से लता की खूब चर्चा हुई। इसके बाद लता ने मज़बूर फ़िल्म के गानों "अंग्रेजी छोरा चला गया" और "दिल मेरा तोड़ा हाय मुझे कहीं का न छोड़ा तेरे प्यार ने" जैसे गानों से अपनी स्थिती सुदृढ की।. हालांकि इसके बावज़ूद लता को उस खास हिट की अभी भी तलाश थी।
1949 में लता को ऐसा मौका फ़िल्म "महल" के "आयेगा आनेवाला" गीत से मिला। इस गीत को उस समय की सबसे खूबसूरत और चर्चित अभिनेत्री मधुबाला पर फ़िल्माया गया था। यह फ़िल्म अत्यंत सफल रही थी और लता तथा मधुबाला दोनों के लिये बहुत शुभ साबित हुई। इसके बाद लता ने कभी पीछे मुड़कर नहीं देखा।
पुरस्कार
फिल्म फेर पुरस्कार (1958, 1962, 1965, 1969, 1993 and 1994)
राष्ट्रीय पुरस्कार (1972, 1975 and 1990)
महाराष्ट्र सरकार पुरस्कार (1966 and 1967)
1969 - पद्म भूषण
1974 - दुनिया मे सबसे अधिक गीत गाने का गिनीज़ बुक रिकॉर्ड
1989 - दादा साहब फाल्के पुरस्कार
1993 - फिल्म फेर का लाइफ टाइम अचीवमेंट पुरस्कार
1996 - स्क्रीन का लाइफटाइम अचीवमेंट पुरस्कार
1997 - राजीव गान्धी पुरस्कार
1999 - एन.टी.आर. पुरस्कार
1999 - पद्म विभूषण
1999 - ज़ी सिने का का लाइफटाइम अचीवमेंट पुरस्कार
2000 - आई. आई. ए. एफ. का लाइफटाइम अचीवमेंट पुरस्कार
2001 - स्टारडस्ट का लाइफटाइम अचीवमेंट पुरस्कार
2001 - भारत का सर्वोच्च नागरिक सम्मान "भारत रत्न"
2001 - नूरजहाँ पुरस्कार
2001 - महाराष्ट्र भुषण
पिता दिनानाथ मंगेशकर शास्त्रीय गायक थे.
उन्होने अपना पहला गाना मराठी फिल्म 'किती हसाल' (कितना हसोगे?) (1942) में गाया था.
लता मंगेशकर को सबसे बडा ब्रेक फिल्म महल से मिला. उनका गाया "आयेगा आने वाला" सुपर डुपर हिट था.
लता मंगेशकर अब तक 20 से अधिक भाषाओं मे 30000 से अधिक गाने गा चुकी हैं.
लता मंगेशकर ने 1980 के बाद से फ़िल्मो मे गाना कम कर दिया और स्टेज शो पर अधिक ध्यान देने लगी.
लता ही एकमात्र ऐसी जीवित व्यक्ति हैं जिनके नाम से पुरस्कार दिए जाते हैं.
लता मंगेशकर ने आनंद गान बैनर तले फ़िल्मो का निर्माण भी किया है और संगीत भी दिया है.
वे हमेशा नंगे पाँव गाना गाती हैं.
