A voice that made heart skip a beat

Today marks the third death anniversary of legendary singer Lata Mangeshkar, hailed as the 'Nightingale of India'. The timeless beauty of her melodies will forever serve as a tribute to her skills and contributions to the country.

From 'Lag ja gale' to 'Jab pyar kiya toh darna kya', her versatility was evident from the wide range of genres she could effortlessly sing. From romantic ballads to classical pieces, hymns to patriotic anthems, her voice captured the essence of the songs.

Born on September 28, 1929, in Indore, Madhya Pradesh, Lata was undeniably one of the most versatile and prolific vocalists of India. Her journey to becoming the 'Queen of Melodies' is one of perseverance, passion, grace and immeasurable talent.

Her entry into playback singing in the 1940s was anything but easy. She was initially rejected for her high-pitched voice and youthful tone. But these challenges did not falter her spirit and dedication to her craft, and as evident, she went on to dominate the music industry.

In a career spanning over eight decades, she has over 25,000 songs in 36 Indian languages to her credit. Her first song 'Naachu yaa gade, khelu saari mani haus' - composed by Sadashivrao Nevrekar in 1942 for Marathi film 'Kitty Hasal' - was never released. Her first song that was released was 'Natali chaitraachi navalaai', composed by Dada Chandedkar.

She was awarded the Bharat Ratna in 2001, becoming only the second singer to receive the highest civilian honour. She was awarded the Dadasaheb Phalke Award, Padma Bhushan, Padma Vibhushan and numerous other accolades for her contributions.

Her talent, elegance, passion and humility made her a favourite among music composers as well as fans across generations. Her collaborations with legendary music directors, such as SD Burman, Naushad, Shankar-Jaikishan, RD Burman, and Laxmikant-Pyarelal, produced some of the most memorable soundtracks of Indian cinema. Her duets with singers Kishore Kumar, Mohammad Rafi, Manna Dey, Mukesh and others are evergreen tracks.

Songs like 'Gata rahe mera dil', 'Kora kagaz tha', 'Lag jaa gale', 'Bheegi bheegi raaton mein', 'Tere bina jiya jaye naa', 'Mera saaya saath hoga', 'Ek pyar ka nagma hai' are a gift to the world of music. Her music is appreciated even by younger generations. The film 'Rang De Basanti' - which has become a significant part of Indian pop culture - featured her song 'Luka chuppi', which is a soul-stirring track. Her voice brings a tender quality to the lyrics. Among her other notable works are: 'Ajeeb dastan hai yeh', 'Piya tose naina laage', 'Tere bina zindagi se', 'Hothon mein aisi baat', 'Tujhe dekha toh ye', 'Tere liye', 'Aap ki nazron ne samjha', etc.

Her mellifluous voice had the power to bring joy and her songs resonated with millions of listeners across the globe. Every note she sang was a blessing, not just to her fans, but anyone with a heartbeat.

As one of the most iconic voices of Indian cinema, Lata's legacy transcends generations, linguistic and geographical barriers. Her demise marked the end of an era in the world of music.

It is a day to remember her unparalleled musical prowess and honour her rich legacy. The emotions she evoked through her soulful melodies made her a maestro of her discipline. Her rich tonal quality, expressive range, elegance and the ability to convey emotion and depth so beautifully, leave a legacy that will live on.