Mumbai, February 4: Renowned Indian music director and violinist Uttam Singh has been awarded the prestigious Lata Mangeshkar Golden Heritage Award. This accolade is traditionally presented on February 6, the death anniversary of the legendary singer Lata Mangeshkar, but this year, the ceremony will take place on February 7 in Raipur.
In an exclusive conversation, Uttam Singh reflected on Lata Mangeshkar’s immense contribution to Music and shared his experiences of working alongside her. He expressed, “For me, Lata Ji was not just a singer but a living embodiment of Saraswati. The reverence artists had for her and the divinity of her music were evident in her presence. I had the privilege of working with Lata Mangeshkar for nearly 40 years, arranging numerous songs. During that time, every singer, musician, director, and actor aspired to have a song by Lata Mangeshkar in their film.”
Uttam Singh also reminisced about his early career, stating, “My first song, ‘Kab Tak Shama Jali,’ was sung by Lata Ji and Mahendra Kapoor for the film ‘Painter Babu,’ released in 1983. Out of my ten songs, nearly eight were sung by Lata Mangeshkar. It is my fortune to have experienced this. This honor and award in my life are a result of Saraswati’s grace.”
He noted that this Golden Heritage Award marks his third honor, following Awards from the Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh governments.
Discussing the unique qualities of Lata Mangeshkar’s voice, he remarked, “Her voice had a sweetness and emotion that seemed divine. When she spoke, there was a sweetness in her voice, and when she sang, the joy multiplied. Lata Ji’s voice and her music will always remain alive in this world. As long as music exists, Lata Mangeshkar’s name will be written in golden letters and remembered by future generations.”
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PK/GKTI