In Bangladesh, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina recalled the legendary singer’s role in the 1971 Liberation War, while the Ministry of Foreign Affairs noted her unparalleled contribution to music.
Lata Mangeshkar’s death has left her fans heartbroken across the globe. Her voice has touched millions of people irrespective of caste, race, religion and color. There are countless fans of Mangeshkar’s voice in India’s neighbors, including Pakistan and Bangladesh. Pakistani politicians, artists, cricketers and journalists mourned the death of Mangeshkar, calling it a “darkest day” in the world of music.
Leading the tributes was Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan. “With the death of Lata Mangeshkar the subcontinent has lost one of the truly great singers the world has known,” he tweeted. Listening to her songs has given so much pleasure to so many people all over the world.”
With the death of Lata Mangeshkar the subcontinent has lost one of the truly great singers the world has known. Listening to her songs has given so much pleasure to so many people all over the world.
Khan’s cabinet colleague, Chaudhary Fawad Hussain, Federal Minister of Information and Broadcasting tweeted, “A legend is no more, #LataMangeshkar was a melodious queen who ruled the world of music for decades she was the uncrowned queen of music her voice shall keep ruling the Hearts of people for all times to like.”
Pakistan's Minister for Information and Broadcasting Chaudhary Fawad Hussain says, #LataMangeshkar was a melodious queen, who ruled the world of music for decades. He says she was uncrowned queen of music and her voice will keep ruling Hearts of people for all times to come. pic.twitter.com/aGI7l4dTsK
Opposition Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Senator Sherry Rehman was among fans who had a hard time choosing her top five favorite songs of Mangeshkar. “Lata Mangeshkar defined an era of melodic, virtuoso singing, cinema playback and more,” she tweeted. “Sad to hear of her passing.”
#LataMangeshkar defined an era of melodic,virtuoso singing, cinema playback and more. Sad to hear of her passing.She had such a vast repertoire, it is impossible to choose even 5 favourite songs, so here’s one : Aaj Phir Jeene Ki Tamanna Hai – Guide https://t.co/nsozFhgBvb
Mohsin Dawar, National Assembly member, said, “The passing of Lata Mangeshkar jee marks the end of an era. Her voice will remain part of the shared cultural heritage of this region. Condolences and commiserations to her family and loved ones. May she rest in peace.”
The passing of @mangeshkarlata jee marks the end of an era. Her voice will remain part of the shared cultural heritage of this region. Condolences and commiserations to her family and loved ones. May she rest in peace. pic.twitter.com/qshdxCIGZo
Leader of Opposition, Shebhaz Sharif, in his tweet, noted that “the world of music has lost a singing legend who mesmerized generations with her melodious voice.” He said “the people of my generation grew up listening to her beautiful songs that will remain part of our memory. May she rest in peace!”
In the passing of Lata Mangeshkar, the world of music has lost a singing legend who mesmerized generations with her melodious voice. The people of my generation grew up listening to her beautiful songs that will remain part of our memory. May she rest in peace!
Ruling Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) Senator Ali Zadar also took to the microblogging site. “The nightingale of subcontinent Lata Mangeshkar was a beautiful sweet voice that was part of every music lovers’ life. May she rest in Peace. She will live forever in our hearts and continue to give tremendous joy to all future generations across the world.”
Opposition Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) lawmaker Hina Pervaiz Butt said Mangeshkar “will forever live in our hearts. My condolences to her fans living around the globe. We have grown young listening to her sounds. Her beautiful voice will live forever.”
Former Pakistani cricketer Ramiz Raja said, “Lata Mangeshkar was the epitome of grace, humility and simplicity and therefore greatness.. a lesson for all. Kishore Kumar, and now her death has left me broken!”
Lata Mangeshkar was the epitome of grace, humility and simplicity and therefore greatness.. a lesson for all. Kishore Kumar and now her death has left me music broken!
Similarly, Pakistan cricket captain Babar Azam said Mangeshkar had a magical voice.“End of a golden era. Her magical voice and legacy will continue to live in the hearts of millions worldwide. An unparalleled icon!”
End of a golden era. Her magical voice and legacy will continue to live in the hearts of millions worldwide. An unparalleled icon!
Several from the entertainment industry also took to Twitter to pay rich tributes to the singer.
Adnan Siddiqui expressed sorrow over Mangeshkar’s death. “Irreparable loss to the music world. Grew up on her unforgettable melodies. Nightingale of India, the void you have left can never be filled.”
Musician Mustafa Zahid tweeted that Mangeshkar was “one of the most iconic voices of South Asia and of our childhood.” https://twitter.com/Mustafology/status/1490205870667407363
Singer and actor Ali Zafar, who has appeared in several Bollywood films tweeted: “Words cannot define a legend like #LataMangeshkar Ji. Only music can perhaps whisper to her everlasting greatness. Re-sharing a humble tribute. May God bless her soul in eternal peace.”
Words cannot define a legend like #LataMangeshkar Ji. Only music can perhaps whisper to her everlasting greatness. Re-sharing a humble tribute. May God bless her soul in eternal peace. pic.twitter.com/pvivLC7IF3
Pakistani media covered the legendary singer’s death as well. Dawn referred to Mangeshkar as a “beloved Bollywood singer” and Daily Pakistan labeled her as the “Queen of Melody.” Pakistani journalist and editor-in-chief of BOL Network, Nazir Leghari, also spoke on his news channel to express his condolences about the singer’s death.
TV anchor Rauf Klasra said the news of the legendary singer’s death has saddened everyone. “She entertained generations – a goddess of music. We used to sit around All India Radio in the village to listen to old songs before the age of CDs, YT and music Apps. She was part of every family who had a radio.”
News of departure of legendary #LataMangeshkar has saddened us all.She entertained generations—A goddess of music. We used to sit around All India Radio in village to listen old songs before age of CDs,YT and music Apps. She was part of every family who had radio. Prayers & love pic.twitter.com/QD6XGU9Ajs
Meanwhile, in a Government of Bangladesh press release, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina recalled with gratitude Mangeshkar’s role in the Liberation War, adding that her death has created a “great void in the subcontinent’s musical arena.” She played a key role in mobilizing funds and international opinions in favor of Bangladesh’s Liberation War in 1971 by traveling to different cities in Indian Air Force planes. She was part of an Indian cultural delegation that called on Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and his family in Dhaka in 1972. Others in the delegation were actress Wahida Rehman, a young Sanjay Dutt and his father, actor Sunil Dutt.
In a separate message, President Abdul Hamid also expressed shock and sorrow at the death of the legendary singer and expressed condolences to the bereaved family, local news website Jagonews24.com reported.
“Deepest condolences on the demise of Lata Mangeshkar, the legendary singer, who will continue to live in the hearts of the people of India and also those in the subcontinent and world for her unparalleled contribution to music. Our prayers are for eternal peace of her departed soul,” the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Bangladesh, said on Twitter.
´We recall Lataji with deep respect and gratitude for her role in the Liberation War of Bangladesh,´ wrote PM #SheikhHasina in her condolence letter to PM @narendramodi. ´The people of Bangladesh mourn in solidarity with the people of India in this hour of grief.´ pic.twitter.com/Ci4NsmG01p
— Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Bangladesh (@BDMOFA) February 6, 2022
In the UAE, national flags at the Indian Embassy in Abu Dhabi and the Consulate General of India in Dubai are to fly at half-mast for two days, as a mark of respect for the legendary singer.
Jogiraj Sikidar, founder of Malhaar Centre for Performing Arts in Dubai, recollected his childhood days of hearing the singer’s melodious voice through the audio cassette often played by his father. “My father had a cassette of her live concert with Dilip Kumar saab at London’s Royal Albert Hall,” he told the Khaleej Times. “I was five years old then. I remember the opening song: ‘Chalte Chalte Yun Hi Koi Mil Gaya Tha’ from the movie Pakeezah,” said the 49-year-old Indian Assam.
Similarly, Rawalpindi-born and Dubai-based art curator Ayesha Imtiaz told the Press Trust of India Mangeshkar’s death is an ‘end of an ere.”
However, it wasn’t just South Asians who mourned Mangehskar’s death. Ammar Ben Aziz, a Tunisian media producer and a music enthusiast, told PTI that the singer did not leave a void in India only, but in all parts of the world, including the Arab world, especially in the Gulf. “Though she is a stalwart of Indian culture, she reminded us of our legendary singer Oum Kalthoum as they were similar with their voices, iconic songs and even, in the face, character and personality.”
