Bhopal: Madhya Pradesh CM on Monday planted a sapling at the Smart City Park, Bhopal in memory of the legendary vocalist Lata Mangeshkar. In the same event, he also announced the establishment of a music academy and a museum showcasing all songs sung by her.
For the unversed, Lata Mangeshkar was the daughter of Indore. Born to a Maharashtrian family, her roots belonged to Indore where Mangeshkar’s resided for long. “Lata Mangeshkar was Madhya Pradesh’s daughter, though the state was not her ‘karma bhumi’ (workplace). Her heart throbbed for MP, CM said.”
Interacting with the media, CM SS Chauhan said, “Lataji will always remain amidst us with her songs and music.” The state has also decided to set up a statue of the melodious queen in Indore. Besides this, an award named after her would be given in the state on her birth anniversary. As a mark of respect to the departed dignitary, two-day state mourning was observed on February 6 and February 7.
To date, Indore holds a special place in music lovers’ hearts. As soon as the news of the demise came across, several in the Sikh Mohalla Street were taken aback. The Sikh Mohalla Street is the place where the melodious queen was born. Interacting with the shop owners at the cloth market set up, several of them shared their attachment with the lady that came along when they established their work at that place. It has also been learnt that a man named Suman Chourasia, a resident of Indore owns a collection of 7600 gramophones consisting of Lata Mangeshkar’s songs. Named as ‘Lata Deenanath Mangeshkar Gramophone Museum’, one could savour a collection of photos, books and songs sung by the vocalist in various dialects and foreign languages.
Lataji’s soul departed on Monday after she suffered a multi-organ failure. She was being treated at the Breach Candy Hospital for the past one month after she had presented mild symptoms of COVID-19.