The International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) joins the world in mourning and remembering the legendary singer Lata Mangeshkar, The Nightingale of India.

Acclaimed singer Lata Mangeshkar took her last breath at Breach Candy Hospital, Mumbai on Sunday, February 6th, 2022, she was 92. The singer was cremated at Mumbai’s Shivaji Park with full state honors. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and many others paid their respects to Mangeshkar.

Daughter of Pandit Deenanath Mangeshkar and Shevanti Mangeshkar, Lata belonged to a musical family. Her father was a well-known Marathi musician and theatre artist. She was first tutored by her father and later appeared as a child artist in several of his plays.

Lata Mangeshka and ISKCON

The following is an excerpt from Back to Godhead- India’s “Nightingale” Sings for Krishna

…The humble Miss Mangeshkar has won the Padma Bushan, India’s highest national award, and so many “Filmfare” awards (her country’s equivalent of the Oscar) that she’s had to declare herself ineligible for more. Time magazine called her “the indisputable and indispensable queen of India’s playback singers.”

When she went on stage last January 30 at Los Angeles’ Shrine Auditorium, Miss Mangeshkar told her audience, “I’m giving this concert as a benefit program for the International Society for Krishna Consciousness. The proceeds are going to a cultural theater they’re building in Bombay.” She then captivated her fans with a three-hour concert beginning with the Bhagavad-gita and going on to the popular songs that have made her India’s most famous vocalist.

“I began singing at age five,” she said after the concert. “My father taught me our classical music—ragas from the Vedas. When I was a child, I learned to sing only for God.” And why the benefit concert? “My whole family are members of the Hare Krishna society… When I sing for Lord Krishna; everything is complete.”

May the Supreme Lord, Sri Krishna bless this great soul.

Hare Krishna