RIP Lata Mangeshkar: 12 lesser-known facts about the Melody Queen, from running into a Beatle to her refuted world record
Lata Mangeshkar passed away at the age of 92 on February 6, 2022, in Mumbai leaving behind her a treasure trove of around 30,000 songs in 36 languages. Here are some lesser-known facts about the 'Nightingale' of India.
She was named Hema at birth and was later renamed Lata, after a character in her father’s play 'BhaawBandhan' called Latika. Her family name Mangeshkar was derived from the Mangeshi village in Goa.
Lata attended school only for a day. She quit when she was scolded for teaching music to other students on her first day. She was homeschooled thereafter.
Lata Mangeshkar was the first female singer who demanded better pay and royalties in Bollywood.
Lata Mangeshkar made it to the 1974 edition of Guinness Book of World Records for being the most recorded artist, but that claim was refuted by Mohammed Rafi.
In 1979, she was the first Indian to perform with the Wren Orchestra at the Royal Albert Hall in London.
Apart from Indian artistes, Lata loved listening to Mozart, Beethoven, Chopin, Nat King Cole, the Beatles, Barbra Streisand and Harry Belafonte. She even went to see Marlene Dietrich sing live.
She loved pets. At home, Lata Mangeshkar had nine dogs.
She also owned every single one of the Sherlock Holmes detective novels.
Lata Mangeshkar loved watching cricket. She would reportedly take breaks from recording sessions to watch Test matches. She was also the proud owner of an autographed picture of cricketer Don Bradman.
Las Vegas was one of Lata's favourite destinations in the US. She also loved visiting sitar maestro Ravi Shankar's studio, where she once bumped into Beatles member George Harrison.
Cars were another passion of hers. A grey Hillman and blue Chevrolet, Chrysler and a Mercedes were some of her prized possessions.
Once she was reportedly given a slow poison by an unidentified person for which she was bed-ridden for almost 3 months.
