HYDERABAD: The Melody Queen of India and Bharat Ratna Lata Mangeshkar bagged Kalasaraswathi award for her outstanding contribution to Indian music for the last six decades.
“After listening to the speakers on the stage, I felt I should learn Telugu,” Lata expressed her wish.
The award, given by the Andhra Pradesh Kala Vedika in association with the Department of Culture, Government of AP, carries a cash prize of Rs 15 lakh, a gold bracelet, veena and a citation.
“I am a big fan of ANR. Though I don’t watch south movies much, I saw the Telugu Devdas 10 times.
I cannot understand the language but the acting by the cast stands out,” the living legend said.
Lata, who of late is keeping away from mainstream playback singing, said, “Nowadays, I do not sing for movies much. I am dedicating more time to singing bhajans and devotional hymns. I have recorded Annamayya songs and was in Tirupati on Saturday in this connection.“ Not to disappoint her fans, Lata promised to be back in Hyderabad soon to perform.
Dakshina Murthy, yesteryear music director who made Lata sing in Telugu for his film, was felicitated by the singer herself.
Chief Minister K Rosaiah, C. Narayan Reddy, P. Susheela, Akkineni Nageswara Rao, T. Subbarami Reddy, MLA JC Diwakar Reddy and MLC Chakrapani were among those present at the function held at the Shilpa Kala Vedika.
Tomorrow, Lata will be given away the ANR lifetime achievement award.
Comments