I had connections with her when I was secretary of the Gomantak Marathi Academy. I went over to Mumbai along with others to invite to lay the foundation stone for the academy. She was in London but her brother insisted we come to Mumbai saying that such an invitation could not be given over the phone. He heard us out and promised to reply when she returned. She however decided in three days and expressed her interest in coming over. She was a nice lady, as a singer she was in another league. A bit reserved but the gossip that was spread that she was rude was false. She was just not like that. Shashikant Narvekar had kept in touch with her. She and her sisters and brother stayed at the Hotel Mandovi.. She spend
three days and then attended the big program
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at Azad Maidan.
– Dilip Dharwadkar, Friend and past treasurer of Marathi Bhavan.
Bharath Rathna Lata Mangeshkar Didi will always live with us with her immortal music. Any music students should learn from Lata Didi’s singing which highlights the importance of pronunciation of any language properly with its perfect diction and singing with perfect sur. Lata Didi lives always in our heart with her immortal voice.
– Sachin Teli, Lecturer in Vocal, Kala Academy, Goa
We have lost the legendary singer of par excellence Bharata Ratna Sri Latha Mangeshkar Didi (Latha Didi) she is not physically with us but the melody will remain forever. Her music is immortal. She had once said “Many have sung better than me, but perhaps they didn’t get as much as I did. It is His kindness alone.” She will remain in our hearts with her Voice forever.
– D.R Chethan Murthy, Mridangam Artist, Bangalore
I have grown up listening to her soulful singing. Very fortunate to have met her twice and took her blessings. I also witnessed her live programme in Pune for the fund raising programme of the hospital named in the memory of her father master Dinanath Mangeshkar. Ayega Anewala from Mehel is my favourite song sung by her.
– Rupesh Gawas, Lecturer in vocal, faculty of Indian Music and Dance Kala Academy Goa.
In an interview Lata didi said “Be a shishya all your life” Even at this age, she considered herself a student of music. “Music is an unfathomable ocean. The more you learn, the less you seem to know”,
she said, which as an artist stuck in my mind. Legendary artist Bharata Ratna Lata Mangeshkar is not with us physically but she will always be alive with her singing.
My humble pranam to
the great soul.
– Mandira Tirodkar, Lecturer in Bharatanatyam, Kala Academy, Goa
Though it’s an end of a legendary singer, we can’t say that her chapter has come to ‘The End’. I don’t say she is dead, I say that her soul has gone in search of a new body. The service which she did during this life of hers is a treasure which she has given to us. Her voice still remains with us. She has also lived and tought us to be a good human by being polite and humble. With a heavy heart I pay my respect to the legendary artist latha mam.
Om shanthi.
– Dr. Deeptha Rubasundaram, Bharatanatyam, Kala academy, Panjim, Goa
Lata Mangeshkar definitely had one of the most amazing voices of her era, and definitely a combination of great lyrics and music directors to work with too, some of the best again in their time. As someone of Goan Heritage, she along with so many other Goans who showcased the talent house that is Goa, deserve a museum chronicling their journeys, as the start was not easy for most of them.
– Nupura Hautamaki, Fan, Guirim
She came to Goa very late after liberation. My association with her started from 1968. Whenever she came to Goa she would come over. We would meet till 2000 but after that we hardly met. I was very fond of music, performing and even acted in plays, wrote a few and directed them too. Our relationship developed, she was very happy when we met and discussed other topics. We did not discuss music. She loved talking about cricket which was like kannada to me because I had no interest. I loved her music, I loved her voice, no one today has such a voice. Her voice had that Gandhar which is just not there now in anyone. A composer once told me that you had to give her the notations just once and she would pick it up. There was greatness in her voice.
– Vinayak Khedekar,
Writer, folklorist and friend
My father-in-law had very close relations with the Mangeshkar family. I met here after my marriage in 1998. She had come home. She had come to Goa to lay the foundation stone for the Marathi academy. I met her and talked to all of the sisters too. She was very soft hearted, very loyal. It was a dream. Never thought I would meet her. I listen to her songs everyday.
– Varsha Narvendkar,
Fan and family friend
She was a great singer, there is no one above her. We were in touch with her and I once interviewed her over the phone. She had a grudge against the Mangeshi temple thirty five years ago when she came with her family for a puja. She felt they were not treated properly but she liked Goa, its food, culture and language. Goan fish curry was her favourite and her favourite fish was the lady fish and mackerel.
– Dr Pravin Goankar, Vocalist and running a music academy in Panjim
She was unique, she had the blessings of Lord Mangeshi and there was no one like her without a doubt. I saw many legends from the world of literature, music, sports come to the Mangheshi temple where I stayed with my mother and siblings during my childhood. She was unique and there will never be another one like her.
– Anup Priolkar,
Close friend of the family
