Legendary Indian playback singer Lata Mangeshkar has been admitted to hospital after contracting Covid-19.
Lata Mangeshkar was admitted to the ICU of a Mumbai hospital on 11 January after testing positive for Covid-19 with mild symptoms. She is also suffering from pneumonia.
In an update, Mangeshkar’s niece Rachna, told Indian Express that the 92-year-old singer was taken into ICU at the Breach Candy Hospital.
She said, “Lata taai has tested positive for Covid-19, and considering her age, doctors advised us to admit her in the ICU because she requires constant care. We cannot take a chance. As a family, we want the best for her and we want to ensure that she gets proper medical care.”
Lata ji, affectionately known as ‘Nightingale of India’, is the eldest of four siblings — including younger sister and veteran Asha Bhosle. Belonging to the Mangeshkar family of Bollywood, Lata ji has been singing since the age of 13.
Asian News International (ANI) posted an announcement on Twitter in a thread:
"She is doing fine; has been kept in ICU only for precautionary reasons considering her age. Please respect our privacy and keep Didi in your prayers," singer Lata Mangeshkar's niece Rachna to ANI
— ANI (@ANI) January 11, 2022
Actor Abishek Bachchan took to Twitter to post his well wishes for the singer:
Prayers for your speedy recovery @mangeshkarlata ji. 🙏🏽
— Abhishek 𝐁𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐧 (@juniorbachchan) January 11, 2022
Maestro and composer, Amjad Ali Khan posted his well wishes to Twitter:
Prayers for Lataji’s speedy recovery! @mangeshkarlata 🙏🙏
— Amjad Ali Khan (@AAKSarod) January 11, 2022
In an active career spanning nearly seven decades, the playback singer since 1942 has been credited for changing the face of Indian music and has become an icon for female singers in India — inspiring future generations to come.
Lata ji’s portfolio is endless — with some of her most iconic songs being Aap Ke Nazron Ne Samja and Pyar Kiya to Darna Kya to Tujhe Dekha To Ye Jana Sanam and Tere Liye.
In 2001, in recognition of her contributions to the nation, she was awarded the Bharat Ratna — India’s highest civilian honour and is only the second vocalist, after MS Subbulakshmi, to receive this honour.