QUICK TAKE | Seven Things to Know About Usha Mangeshkar, From ‘Mungda’ to Bhupen Hazarika
1. Why is Usha Mangeshkar in the news?
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will present her with the inaugural Dr Bhupen Hazarika National Award on November 29 at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said. The award carries ₹10 lakh and a citation and will be given once every three years.
2. What did she sing with Lata Mangeshkar?
Usha, the younger sister of Lata Mangeshkar and Asha Bhosle, shared the microphone with Lata on “Aplam Chaplam” from Azaad. Saregama credits both sisters on the 1955 recording, an early example of Usha’s work in Hindi film playback.
3. Which songs took her voice into homes?
“Main To Aarti Utaroon Re” and “Madad Karo Santoshi Mata”, both from the 1975 film Jai Santoshi Maa. The songs became household favourites. Usha recalled that the film had been made on a budget counted in lakhs and went on to earn crores.
4. What did she make of ‘Mungda’?
Usha sang the Inkaar dance number for composer Rajesh Roshan, with lyrics by Majrooh Sultanpuri. Decades later, she told Rediff she still didn’t know what the title word meant. She had sung it as given and guessed that the rhythm was what kept listeners coming back.
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5. Where else did she sing?
Marathi cinema was another home for her voice. Saregama’s catalogue includes her recordings for films such as Don Bayka Phajiti Aika and Bhingri. Her work in Assamese cinema brought her into a partnership with the composer whose name is now on the award.
6. What did she record with Hazarika?
On the Assamese film soundtrack Chameli Memsaheb, their voices appear together on “Assom Deshor Bagichare” and “Jigija Gijao”. In her letter accepting the award, Usha recalled singing several Assamese songs under Hazarika’s music direction.
7. Which Hazarika song will close the centenary?
Sarma said 1,000 artists, joined by invited performers, will sing “Manuhe Manuhor Babe”. Usha has confirmed she will travel to Delhi to receive the honour at the ceremony.