In a heartfelt tribute to the Nightingale of India, veteran music director Uttam Singh received the Swarnim Dhrohar Lata Mangeshkar Puraskar. The ceremony, shifted to February 7 in Raipur due to special arrangements, honors Lata Mangeshkar’s legacy on the eve of her punya tithi.
Speaking candidly, Singh portrayed Lata ji as a living deity of arts. ‘She embodied the reverence artists hold for music’s sanctity,’ he said. Over 40 years, he arranged numerous songs for her, fulfilling what was once the ultimate aspiration in Bollywood – securing Lata Mangeshkar’s vocals for a project.
His career highlight? The debut track from Painter Babu in 1983, a duet by Lata ji and Mahendra Kapoor. ‘Eight of my initial ten compositions featured her magical voice,’ Singh beamed. ‘This award is Saraswati’s grace, my third after state accolades from Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh.’
What set Lata ji apart? Her voice’s god-given sweetness that mesmerized in speech and soared in song. ‘Her music is eternal,’ he affirmed. ‘Future generations will revere her name in shining gold, ensuring her melodies resonate forever.’
As Bollywood evolves, Uttam Singh’s reminiscences remind us of an golden age where Lata Mangeshkar’s voice defined Indian cinema, a timeless treasure celebrated through awards like this.