'So-called' remark on Lata Mangeshkar was used for non-Indian readers, clarifies US daily

The New York Times, which recently mentioned iconic Indian Singer Lata Mangeshkar as a 'so-called playback singer', has clarified its remark saying it was “used for non-Indian readers” after it was slammed by Twitter users.

Reacting on the trolling, Ellen Barry, South Asia bureau chief for The New York Times, explained in a tweet: "A note on 'so-called': Used here for non-Indian readers unfamiliar with the term 'playback singer'. In no way a commentary."

The newspaper’s report was based on comedian Tanmay Bhat's controversial Snapchat video, which sparked huge controversy for mocking Lata and cricketing legend Sachin Tendulkar. The video went viral on social media and triggered widespread outrage.

A description of the video in The New York Times report reads: "In the expletive-laced video, which was created on Snapchat, Mr. Bhat uses that app's face-swap feature to impersonate Sachin Tendulkar, a hugely popular cricketer who retired in 2013, and Lata Mangeshkar, a so-called playback singer for Bollywood films whose career dates to the 1940s. Playback singers record vocals for song-and-dance numbers, to which actors and actresses lip sync."

The article's co-writer Suhasini Raj also clarified quoting the dictionary: "'So-called: used to introduce a new word or phrase that is not yet known by many people'."

New York-based Indian writer Aseem Chhabra explained to the trollers: "Amazing some folks are upset @nytimes. Idea of 'playback singer' is unique to India. Hence the 'so-called' expression about @mangeshkarlata!"

A note on "so-called": Used here for non-Indian readers unfamiliar w term "playback singer." In no way a commentary. https://t.co/hEYttcd3za

— Ellen Barry (@EllenBarryNYT) May 31, 2016

'so-called': "used to introduce a new word or phrase that is not yet known by many people"

— suhasini raj (@suhasiniraj) June 1, 2016