How well do you know Lata Mangeshkar?

This article was first published 20 years ago

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Last updated on: September 28, 2004 14:31 IST

Lata Mangeshkar, India's nightingale, turns 75 today, September 28.

Happy Birthday Latadidi!

How much do you know about the living legend?

Take this quiz and find out!

1. What is Lata Mangeshkar's real name?
a. Hema.
b. Seema.
c. Reema.

2. Which Marathi film did Lata make her acting debut in?
a. Pahili Mangalagaur.
b. Chimukla Sansaar.
c. Maajhe Baal.

Wrong! Try again..

Wrong!
The correct answer is A.
Eight days after her father died, 12-year-old Lata put on make-up to act and sing in her first film, Pahili Mangalagaur (1942). It was directed by Master Vinayak, the father of the popular yesteryear actress Nanda. Lata acted in films till she was 15. She even played extras in films, because she had to support her younger siblings.

Correct!
Eight days after her father died, 12-year-old Lata put on make-up to act and sing in her first film, Pahili Mangalagaur (1942). It was directed by Master Vinayak, the father of the popular yesteryear actress Nanda. Lata acted in films till she was 15. She even played extras in films, because she had to support her younger siblings.

3. In which year did Lata receive the Bharat Ratna?
a. 1969.
b. 1999.
c. 2001.

Wrong! Try again..

Wrong! The correct answer is C.
Lata was awarded the Bharat Ratna -- the nation's highest civilian honour -- on January 25, 2001. The singer has also received the Padma Bhushan, Padma Vibhushan and the Dadasaheb Phalke awards.

Correct!
Lata was awarded the Bharat Ratna -- the nation's highest civilian honour -- on January 25, 2001. The singer has also received the Padma Bhushan, Padma Vibhushan and the Dadasaheb Phalke awards.

4. Name Lata's first song as a playback singer in Hindi films.
a. Aaj mere naseeb ne mujhko
b. Paa laagu kar jori.
c. Bedard tere pyaar ko

Wrong! Try again..

Wrong! The correct answer is C.
Her first song in a Hindi film was Paa laagu kar jori, from Aapki Sewa Mein in 1947. This song did not give Lata recognition as a singer. But her first Hindi song, which she sang in a Marathi film, was in 1943, with Maata ek sapoot ki duniya badal de tu in Gajabhau.

Correct!
Her first song in a Hindi film was Paa laagu kar jori, from Aapki Sewa Mein in 1947. This song did not give Lata recognition as a singer. But her first Hindi song, which she sang in a Marathi film, was in 1943, with Maata ek sapoot ki duniya badal de tu in Gajabhau.

5. One of Lata's evergreen songs, Aye mere watan ke logon, was written by:
a. Sahir Ludhianavi.
b. Kaifi Azmi.
c. Kavi Pradeep.

Wrong! Try again..

Wrong! The correct answer is C.
After India was defeated in the India-China war in 1962, Lata had sung, Aye mere watan ke logon, penned by Kavi Pradeep. The song, moved Jawaharlal Nehru to tears and he confessed, 'Beti, toone mujhe rula diya [Daughter, you made me cry].'

Correct!
After India was defeated in the India-China war in 1962, Lata had sung, Aye mere watan ke logon, penned by Kavi Pradeep. The song, moved Jawaharlal Nehru to tears and he confessed, 'Beti, toone mujhe rula diya [Daughter, you made me cry].'

6. Who said this about Lata: Kambakht galti se bhi kabhi besura nahi gaati [Even by mistake, she doesn't sing offbeat].
a. Amanat Ali Khan Bhindibazarwala.
b. Ustad Bade Ghulam Ali Khan.
c. Ustad Amanat Khan Devaswale.

Wrong! Try again..

Wrong!
The correct answer is A.
Amanat Ali Khan Bhindibazarwala, a classical scholar, accepted Lata as a disciple. But during the Partition of India, Amanat Ali left India. Thereafter, Lata became the pupil of Ustad Amanat Khan Devaswale. Pandit Tulsidas Sharma, who was a pupil of Ustad Bade Ghulam Ali, also trained her for a while.

Correct!
Amanat Ali Khan Bhindibazarwala, a classical scholar, accepted Lata as a disciple. But during the Partition of India, Amanat Ali left India. Thereafter, Lata became the pupil of Ustad Amanat Khan Devaswale. Pandit Tulsidas Sharma, who was a pupil of Ustad Bade Ghulam Ali, also trained her for a while.

7. Which of these films did Lata produce?
a. Do Bigha Zameen, Anuradha, Lekin.
b. Madhumati, Parakh, Lekin.
c. Jhaanjhar, Kanchan, Lekin.

Wrong! Try again..

Wrong!
The correct answer is C.
Lata has produced such films like: Vaadal in Marathi (1953), Jhaanjhar in Hindi (1953), Kanchan in Hindi (1955), Lekin in Hindi (1990). She has also composed for films under the pseudonym, Anandghan, for films like Raam Raam Pahune (in 1950, where she used her real name) Mohityanchi Manjula (1962), Maratha Tituka Melvava (1964), Saadhi Maanse (1965), Tambadi Maati (1969).

Correct!
Lata has produced such films like: Vaadal in Marathi (1953), Jhaanjhar in Hindi (1953), Kanchan in Hindi (1955), Lekin in Hindi (1990). She has also composed for films under the pseudonym, Anandghan, for films like Raam Raam Pahune (in 1950, where she used her real name) Mohityanchi Manjula (1962), Maratha Tituka Melvava (1964), Saadhi Maanse (1965), Tambadi Maati (1969).

8. Which song was the turning point of Lata's career?
a. Aayega aanewala, Mahal.
b. Naina barse rim jhim, Woh Kaun Thi.
c. Aaja re pardesi, Madhumati.

Wrong! Try again..

Wrong!
The correct answer is A.
Aayega aanewala in Mahal (1949) is considered to be one of the biggest hits in Lata's career. Strangely, the Gramophone Company of India credited this song to Kamini, the character which Lata sang for! She is reportedly yet to be paid for this song.

Correct!
Aayega aanewala in Mahal (1949) is considered to be one of the biggest hits in Lata's career. Strangely, the Gramophone Company of India credited this song to Kamini, the character which Lata sang for! She is reportedly yet to be paid for this song.

9. With which composer did Lata sing the maximum number of songs?
a. R D Burman.
b. Laxmikant-Pyarelal.
c. Naushad.

Wrong! Try again..

Wrong!
The correct answer is B.
She has sung as many as 666 songs for Laxmikant-Pyarelal, 453 songs for Shankar-Jaikishen and 328 songs for R D Burman. Among lyricists, she has sung 431 of Majrooh Sultanpuri's songs and about 700 of Anand Bakshi's verses. She always sings barefoot as a mark of respect to the platform on which she sings. Also, before singing a song, she writes the song in her handwriting and starts by writing 'Shri' on top of the page.

Correct!
She has sung as many as 666 songs for Laxmikant-Pyarelal, 453 songs for Shankar-Jaikishen and 328 songs for R D Burman. Among lyricists, she has sung 431 of Majrooh Sultanpuri's songs and about 700 of Anand Bakshi's verses. She always sings barefoot as a mark of respect to the platform on which she sings. Also, before singing a song, she writes the song in her handwriting and starts by writing 'Shri' on top of the page.

10. Lata Mangeshkar has sang a maximum number of duets with:
a. Mohammad Rafi.
b. Kishore Kumar.
c. Hemant Kumar.

Wrong! Try again..

Wrong!
The correct answer is B.
Lata sang the maximum number of duets with Kishore Kumar. Many wrongly believe it was Rafi. Lata's first meeting with singer-actor Kishore Kumar was quite comical. It was at composer Khemchand Prakash's recording. Lata was heading for Khemchand's studio, and Kishore -- walking behind her -- was going to the same place. Lata thought that she is being followed by someone with bad intentions. It was only after reaching the studio that she realised that he was going to sing with her!

Correct!
Lata sang the maximum number of duets with Kishore Kumar. Many wrongly believe it was Rafi. Lata's first meeting with singer-actor Kishore Kumar was quite comical. It was at composer Khemchand Prakash's recording. Lata was heading for Khemchand's studio, and Kishore -- walking behind her -- was going to the same place. Lata thought that she is being followed by someone with bad intentions. It was only after reaching the studio that she realised that he was going to sing with her!

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Compiled by Patcy N
Image: Uday Kuckian