Guwahati: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday (April 24) was conferred the first Lata Deenanath Mangeshkar Award at the 80th annual Master Deenanath Mangeshkar Awards Ceremony held in Mumbai.
This award, which has been instituted in memory of Bharat Ratna Lata Mangeshkar, will be given every year exclusively to one individual for an exemplary contribution towards nation-building.
The award has been instituted in memory and honour of the legendary singer Lata Mangeshkar who passed away at the age of 92 years in Mumbai earlier this year.
Governor of Maharashtra Bhagat Singh Koshyari, members of Mangeshkar Family were among those present on the occasion.
Speaking on the occasion, PM Modi said that though he does not have not too deep a knowledge of music but by cultural appreciation, it is felt that sangeet is both a ‘sadhna’ and an emotion.
He continued and said, “the one that expresses the unexpressed is word. One that fills the expressed with energy and consciousness is ‘naad’. And the one that fills conscious with emotions and feelings and takes it to the extreme of creation and sensitivity is ‘sangeet’. Music can fill you with valour, and motherly affection. It can take one to the pinnacle of patriotism and sense of duty.”
“We are fortunate to have seen this capability and strength of music, in the form of Lata Didi,” he said.
On a personal note, PM Modi said “For me, Lata Didi was the ‘Sur Samragyi’ as well as my elder sister. What can be a greater privilege than to have received the love of a sister from Lata Didi, who has given the gift of love and emotion to generations.”
Prime Minister said that he is not generally not very comfortable with receiving awards but when the Mangeshkar Family calls with and award that carries the name of an elder sister like Lata Didi, then it becomes a symbol of her affection and love.
“It is not simply possible for me to say no to this. I dedicate this award to all the countrymen. As Lata Didi belonged to people, this award given to me in her name also belongs to people,” the Prime Minister added.
