Usha Mangeshkar gets Lata Mangeshkar award on sister's 91st birthday

The Maharashtra government on Monday announced that veteran singer Usha Mangeshkar has been honoured with the 'Gansamradni Lata Mangeshkar' award for 2020-21. The award, which carries a cash prize of Rs five lakh and a citation, has been constituted for the felicitation of senior vocal artistes and their contribution.

Usha Mangeshkar is the youngest sister of Lata Mangeshkar, who turned 91 on Monday. According to an official release, the 84-year-old singer's selection was unanimously done by a committee headed by state Culture Minister Amit Deshmukh. Usha Mangeshkar made her debut in 1954's V Shantaram romantic-drama "Subah Ka Tara" with the song "Badi Dhoom Dham Se Meri Bhabhi Aayi".

The singer went on to croon several chartbusters over the years, including the evergreen "Aplam Chaplam" from Dilip Kumar-Meena Kumari starrer "Azaad", the title track of Basu Chatterjee's "Khatta Meetha" and one of the biggest hits of her career, "Mungda" from "Inkaar". 

She also earned acclaim for singing devotional songs for the 1975 hit film "Jai Santoshi Maa". Past recipients of the awards, being conferred by the state government since 1992, include Lata Mangeshkar's sister veteran playback singer Asha Bhosle, singer Suman Kalyanpur, music composers Ram-Laxman, Uttam Singh and Usha Khanna, the release said.

#Maharashtra government announces Gan Samragni Lata Mangeshkar award for the year 2020-21 to veteran female playback singer #UshaMangeshkar. pic.twitter.com/a2plBQ0Bpq

— All India Radio News (@airnewsalerts)

PM Modi Conveys Best Wishes For Lata Mangeshkar On Her 91st Birthday

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Twitter expressed his fond regards for legendary Bollywood singer Lata Mangeshkar on the occasion of her 91st birthday on Monday. He extended birthday greetings to her on call and said that he prays for 'Lata Didi' - as she is affectionately called - and wishes long and healthy life for her. PM Modi also claimed that he considered himself fortunate as he cherished the bond he shared with the veteran singer. 

Spoke to respected Lata Didi and conveyed birthday greetings to her. Praying for her long and healthy life. Lata Didi is a household name across the nation. I consider myself fortunate to have always received her affection and blessings. @mangeshkarlata

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi)

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Lata Mangeshkar's birthday: Bollywood wishes the legendary singer as she turns 91

(with PTI inputs)