Mumbai, Ap 25: Amitabh Bachchan was recently honored with the esteemed Lata Deenanath Mangeshkar Puraskar, a recognition he deeply cherishes. The award, instituted by the Mangeshkar family and trust in memory of the legendary singer Lata Mangeshkar, holds significant reverence for Bachchan. Lata Mangeshkar, often regarded as the melody queen, left behind an indelible legacy of musical brilliance upon her demise in 2022.
Bachchan was bestowed with this honor on April 24, coinciding with the memorial day of Deenanath Mangeshkar, a revered figure in theatre and music, and the father of the Mangeshkar siblings. Expressing his gratitude, the 81-year-old actor, renowned for iconic roles in movies like "Zanjeer" and "Deewar," humbly acknowledged the award, feeling blessed by the recognition.
In his acceptance speech, Bachchan expressed remorse for not attending the ceremony the previous year due to health reasons, acknowledging the persistent efforts of Hridyanath ji. He fondly recalled his father, Harivansh, likening Lata Mangeshkar's voice to the flow of honey, symbolizing its divine connection that transcends to a spiritual realm.
The award was presented to Bachchan by Usha Mangeshkar, the third eldest sibling of the Mangeshkar family, as veteran singer Asha Bhosle, the second sibling, was unable to attend due to health concerns. Instituted to honor individuals making groundbreaking contributions to the nation, society, and its people, the Lata Deenanath Mangeshkar Puraskar has previously been awarded to luminaries like Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Asha Bhosle.
At the ceremony presided over by music composer Hridaynath Mangeshkar, A R Rahman was honored with the Master Deenanath Mangeshkar Puraskar for his remarkable contributions to Indian music. Rahman, expressing his gratitude, acknowledged the profound impact of the Mangeshkar family on his life and career.
The event also recognized other notable achievers, including the Deepstambh Foundation Manobal for social service, the drama "Galib" for best production, Marathi writer Manjiri Phadke for literature, and actors Randeep Hooda and Padmini Kolhapure for their contributions to cinema and drama.
For Hooda, receiving the Vishesh Puraskar for best film production and acting was particularly significant, given the historical association between Veer Savarkar and the Mangeshkar family. Kolhapure, expressing her gratitude, reflected on her journey in the film industry, crediting Asha Bhosle for her entry into Bollywood.
The ceremony concluded with accolades for singer Roopkumar Rathod, Bhau Torsekar for editorial services, and Atul Parchure for contributions to theatre and drama, honoring their invaluable contributions to their respective fields.
