AR Rahman Says His Father Used To Get Up Facing Lata Mangeshkar's Photo: 'When I Became A Composer...'

The prestigious third Lata Deenanath Mangeshkar Award was bestowed upon musician AR Rahman for his exceptional dedication to the nation and also at a global stage. Established in memory of the late Bharat Ratna awardee and legendary singer Lata Mangeshkar on February 6, 2022, the Lata Dinanath Mangeshkar Award also honoured several other individuals, including megastar Amitabh Bachchan, for their outstanding contributions to their respective fields.

Taking to stage, AR Rahman recalled how his father had deep respect for the Mangeshkar family. He said, “My father, when he was working in the film industry down south, used to get up facing Lata Mangeshkar ji’s photograph. So, when I became a composer from the south and the enormous love I got from you guys, changed my life. One thing I tell my family – my kids – is that look at the Mangeshkar family. The dedication they have. today we need that, today we need to celebrate the dedication of Lata ji, Asha ji, Hridaynath ji and the whole family. Hridaynath ji keeps asking me what I like about him. I say, ‘everything’.”

Post Lata Mangeshkar’s death, AR Rahman had shared a video message, where he recalled working with the legend and talked about her influence on his music career. He had said, “It is a very very sad day for all of us. When people live, we take it for granted and somebody like Lata Ji is not just a singer, not just an icon. She was part of a soul, part of a consciousness of India, Indianness, Hindustani music, Urdu poetry, Hindi poetry and Bengali- and so many other languages she sang. And this void is going to remain forever.” He had also shared an iconic photo with the Queen of Melody, where he could be seen sitting at her feet. He wrote, “Love, respect and prayers.”