‘Nightingale’ of India Lata Mangeshkar, breathed her last today morning, after battling a prolonged
illness. She was 92. She left behind a treasure of songs, sung in her melodious voice, that will
reverberate in the ears of every Indian till eternity. A Bharat Ratna holder, Lata, whose career
spanned for over 7 decades, was bestowed with Dada Saheb Phalke Award along with numerous
other national and international honours. No wonder, today apart from peace, she would certainly
rest in pride, for whatever she achieved in her life.
While Lata was and will be remembered as a great singer worldwide, let’s meet her lesser known
side today, that is also equally precious and beautiful. Here are few unknown facts about didi….

• Lata Mangeshkar’s birth name was Hema Mangeshkar and was later changed to Lata,
  inspired by a character’s name in her father’s play.

• Mangeshkar once said in an interview that she didn’t listen to her own songs as she would
  find several faults in her singing.
  
• Mangeshkar was an ardent cricket fan who witnessed 1983 World Cup victory and even
  threw a free concert for the team to raise money for them.
  
• Lata holds the honour of being the first-ever Indian to perform in the prestigious Royal
  Albert Hall, London. The government of France conferred her with the Officer of the Legion
  of Honour in 2007, which is the country’s highest civilian award.
  
• Lataji loved laughter. She liked singing the lighter songs as much as the acclaimed serious
  songs, if not more