Veteran singer Lata Mangeshkar conferred with Swara Mauli award

Veteran singer Lata Mangeshkar, who is one of the most respected playback singers in India, was conferred with the Swara Mauli title by spiritual guru Vidya Narsimha Bharati Swami on Saturday in Mumbai.  The National Film Awardee was honoured with the award at her residence in South Mumbai’s Pedder Road.

The Ajeeb Dastaan Hai Yeh singer’s two sisters Asha Bhosle, Usha Mangeshkar and brother Hridaynath Mangeshkar were present during the special occasion.

The iconic singer said that she was touched when Jagatguru Shankaracharya chose to honour her with the title.

"Jagatguru Shankaracharya had met me earlier at Kolhapur and had conferred the Swara Bharati. I cannot recall the year. Now I have been given the second title Swara Mauli, I feel honoured and blessed," Lata Mangeshkar told reporters on Saturday.

The Dadasaheb Phalke Award winner said that every award should be accepted with love and she was happy to receive it.  The Lag Ja Gale singer has won several awards in her more than seven-decade illustrious singer.

Mangeshkar, who was awarded the Bharat Ratna in 2001, is the second vocalist after MS Subbulakshmi to receive the country’s biggest honour.

Asha Bhosle praised her elder sibling and said that she was proud of her and there was no one like the evergreen singer.

(With PTI inputs)