Chapter 3
LATA MANGESHKAR: THE MELODY QUEEN
Comprehension Questions and Answers
Question:1 Who sang the patriotic song “Aei Mere Vatan Ke Logon”?
Answer: The patriotic song “Aei Mere Vatan Ke Logon” was sung by Lata Mangeshkar, which became one of the most iconic patriotic songs of India.
Question:2 How did Prime Minister Nehru react after hearing the song?
Answer: Tears rolled down unchecked, and Nehru wept like a child when he heard the song, showing how deeply it moved him emotionally.
Question:3 What event had taken place before the song was sung that made it so significant?
Answer: The song was sung soon after the Chinese aggression in 1962, which had caused national distress and mourning for the soldiers who sacrificed their lives.
Question:4 How did Lata Mangeshkar’s song immortalize the soldiers?
Answer: The song immortalized the heroic deeds of Indian soldiers who sacrificed their lives for the country, keeping their bravery alive in the hearts of people.
Question:5 What does it mean that the song became the “epitome of patriotic songs”?
Answer: It means the song became a perfect symbol or representation of patriotism, admired and remembered by generations for its emotional and nationalistic appeal.
Question:6 What are the nicknames given to Lata Mangeshkar?
Answer: Lata Mangeshkar is nicknamed “Swar Samragyi” (Melody Queen) and “Swar Kokila” due to her extraordinary singing talent and melodious voice.
Question:7 When and where was Lata Mangeshkar born?
Answer: She was born on 28th September 1929 in a Maharashtrian family residing in Indore, Madhya Pradesh.
Question:8 Who were Lata Mangeshkar’s parents?
Answer: Her father was Deenanath Mangeshkar, a noted classical singer and theatre artist, and her mother was Shudhhamati.
Question:9 What was Lata’s birth name and why was it changed?
Answer: Lata was first given the name Hridaya at birth, but her parents later changed it to Lata, inspired by a female character named Latika in one of her father’s theatrical plays.
Question:10 What was the original family surname and why was it changed?
Answer: The family’s last name was Hardikar, but Deenanath changed it to Mangeshkar to identify the family with their native town, Mangeshi in Goa.
Question:11 Who are Lata Mangeshkar’s siblings?
Answer: Her younger sisters are Asha Bhonsle and Usha Mangeshkar, and her younger brother Hridayanath Mangeshkar is a well-known music director. Meena is the youngest sister.
Question:12 Name some of the awards Lata Mangeshkar has received.
Answer: She has received Padma Bhushan, Padma Vibhushan, Dadasaheb Phalke Award, Maharashtra Bhushan, NTR National Award, three National Film Awards, 12 Bengal Film Journalist Association Awards, and Filmfare Best Female Playback Singer Award.
Question:13 Why did Lata give up the Filmfare Best Female Playback Singer Award in 1969?
Answer: She gave up the award to promote fresh talent and encourage young singers in the industry.
Question:14 What award did she receive in 1993?
Answer: She was awarded the Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award in 1993 for her contribution to Indian music.
Question:15 What is Bharat Ratna and when did Lata receive it?
Answer: Bharat Ratna is India’s highest civilian award, and Lata Mangeshkar received it in 2001 for her outstanding contribution to Indian music.
Question:16 What is the meaning of the word “patriotic”?
Answer: Patriotic means having love and devotion for one’s country.
Question:17 Define the word “aggression” as used in the text.
Answer: Aggression refers to an attack or hostile action, in this context the Chinese aggression in 1962.
Question:18 What does “immortalized” mean in the text?
Answer: Immortalized means made eternal or remembered forever; the song immortalized the soldiers’ sacrifices.
Question:19 What does the word “sacrificed” refer to in this context?
Answer: Sacrificed refers to giving up one’s life for the country’s safety and freedom.
Question:20 What does “epitome” mean as mentioned in the text?
Answer: Epitome means a perfect example or embodiment of something, like the song being the epitome of patriotic songs.
Question:21 What does “residing” mean in the text?
Answer: Residing means living or situated in a particular place; her family was residing in Indore.
Question:22 What is meant by “classical” in this text?
Answer: Classical refers to traditional Indian music, as her father was a classical singer.
Question:23 What does “identify” mean in the context of her father’s surname change?
Answer: Identify means to associate or link one’s family with a specific place, in this case, Mangeshi in Goa.
Question:24 Explain the significance of Lata Mangeshkar’s song after the 1962 war.
Answer: The song inspired patriotism, honored the soldiers’ sacrifice, and united the country emotionally after the Chinese aggression.
Question:25 How did Lata Mangeshkar influence young singers in India?
Answer: By giving up awards to encourage fresh talent and maintaining high standards, she became a guiding principle for budding vocalists.
Question:26 How many National Film Awards did she receive?
Answer: She received three National Film Awards during her career.
Question:27 What gesture of humility did Lata Mangeshkar show in 1969?
Answer: She gave up the Filmfare Best Female Playback Singer Award to provide opportunities for new artists.
Question:28 What is the importance of the Dadasaheb Phalke Award?
Answer: It is India’s highest award in cinema, recognizing lifetime contribution to Indian films, which Lata received for her singing career.
Question:29 How did Lata’s family influence her musical career?
Answer: Her father was a classical singer and theatre artist, which provided her early exposure to music and stage performance.
Question:30 What is the meaning of “melody queen” and why was Lata called so?
Answer: Melody queen refers to her mastery in singing melodious songs, earning her the nickname “Swar Samragyi.”
Question:31 Which other family members of Lata are famous in music?
Answer: Her sisters Asha Bhonsle and Usha Mangeshkar, and her brother Hridayanath Mangeshkar are also famous in the music field.
Question:32 What was the significance of Lata renaming her name from Hridaya to Lata?
Answer: She was renamed after a character Latika from her father’s play, linking her identity to a meaningful artistic source.
Question:33 How did Lata Mangeshkar contribute to patriotic feeling in India?
Answer: Through her song “Aei Mere Vatan Ke Logon,” she evoked emotion, respect, and love for the country and its soldiers.
Question:34 What awards did Lata receive for her lifetime contribution to music?
Answer: She received Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award, Bharat Ratna, Padma Bhushan, Padma Vibhushan, and Maharashtra Bhushan among others.
Question:35 How did Lata inspire young Indian singers?
Answer: By setting high standards, encouraging new talent, and dedicating herself to music, she became a role model for young singers.
Question:36 Describe the meaning of “residing” as used in the text.
Answer: Residing means living in a particular place; Lata’s family was residing in Indore at the time of her birth.
Question:37 What does the text say about Lata Mangeshkar’s cultural impact?
Answer: She immortalized patriotic songs, enriched Indian music, inspired generations, and became a national symbol of artistic excellence.
Question:38 How did Lata Mangeshkar’s early life shape her career?
Answer: Born in a musical family, exposed to classical music and theatre by her father, she was trained and nurtured for a lifelong career in music.
Question:39 Explain the meaning of the word “patriotic” using the example from the text.
Answer: Patriotic means showing love and devotion to one’s country, exemplified by Lata’s song that honored soldiers’ sacrifices.
Question:40 What qualities made Lata Mangeshkar stand out as a national icon?
Answer: Her melodious voice, humility, dedication to music, promotion of young talent, and contribution to patriotic feeling made her a national icon.
Answer by Mrinmoee
