Lataji was born at 10:30 pm in Indore, Central
India on Saturday, September 28th, 1929 to Shrimati Mangeshkar and Master Dinanath Mangeshkar. At the time
her father was one of India's most renowned and highest paid singer and theatre actor. Two years later, in 1931, the advent of Talkies in India would breathe new life to the Indian Cinema and hence a decline in attendance for stage plays and dramas.
This trend would send Lataji's fathers' theater career on a collision course with the Indian cinema and by the end of the decade his career had come to near closure. On Friday, the 24th of April, 1942, Lataji's father, passed on leaving behind his widow with five children, his life savings of just One rupee, five days' worth of food, his tanpura and song book and many lifetimes of gifts to the world - Lata Mangeshkar.
At the age of 13, a young and determined Lata would become the breadwinner of her family. With the help of Shripad Joshi, a friend of her late father, Lata was introduced into films by M. Vinayak.
Putting the skills of singing and acting as taught to her by her late father, Lataji would go on to act in Eight films between 1942 and 1948. During this period and especially before1946, she was almost always turned down everywhere she went trying her luck as a playback singer. Mostly dismissed as the girl with a voice too thin for playback, she was again determined to succeed.
Lataji's first recording was for the Marathi film Kiti Hasal in 1942 but her song never made it in the film. Her next effort was the song Natli Chaitrachi Navalai for the 1942 Marathi film Phili Mangalagaur. This would become Lataji's first playback song. Incidently, her first Hindi song Mata Ek Sapoot Ki Duniya Badal De Tu was for a " Marathi " film Gajabhau, released in 1943.
Her initial inning at acting and singing would bring her little or no recognition but she managed to put bread on the family's table.
By 1947, as India looked forward to finding its own identity as an Independant nation, Lataji would gift India its voice. Her first Hindi song Pa Lagoon Kar Jori for a " Hindi " film was released. The film, Aap Ki Sewa Mein .
As a free India moved forward into 1948 and especially in 1949, it wore with pride, Lataji's songs on its lips. An entire nation found solace in a voice that would inspire generations through more than 50 years of freedom. A voice that would lend to India a rhythm it needed at a time when it needed it the most.
Within Eighteen short months, Lataji would " record " the songs that would immortalize her: Uthaye Jaa Unke Sitam from Andaaz, Barsaat Mein and Bichhde Hue Pardesi from Barsaat, Saajan Ki Galiyaan Chhod Chale from Bazaar, Chup Chup Khade Ho from Badi Behan, Bahaarein Phir Bhi Aayengee from Lahore, Ae Dil Tujhe Qasam Hain from Dulaari, Lara Lappa from Ek Thi Ladki, Mushkil Hai Bahut Mushkil and Aayega Aane Wala from Mahal.
From the late 1940's to now and forever, Lataji's voice is always the voice for all seasons.
Lataji. Out of a Billion, One.
Musically yours,
- the Music Merchant
Rohit Jagessar
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Lataji was born at 10:30 pm in Indore, Central 
