Renowned Indian actor Amitabh Bachchan and music maestro AR Rahman were bestowed with the prestigious Deenanath Mangeshkar Awards on April 24, Wednesday, in Mumbai’s Vile Parle area. The awards ceremony, held on the memorial day of Deenanath Mangeshkar, paid tribute to the legendary theatre-music veteran and father of the Mangeshkar siblings.
Amitabh Bachchan was presented with the Lata Deenanath Mangeshkar Puraskar, while AR Rahman received the Master Deenanath Mangeshkar Puraskar, acknowledging their significant contributions to Indian cinema and music, respectively.
The event witnessed the presence of members of the Mangeshkar family, along with other dignitaries. Singer Usha Mangeshkar had the honor of presenting the award to Amitabh Bachchan, while Asha Bhosle, originally scheduled to present the award, was unable to attend due to illness.
Expressing his gratitude upon receiving the award, Amitabh Bachchan humbly acknowledged the efforts made by Hridyanath Mangeshkar to ensure his presence at the ceremony. Reflecting on the significance of the occasion, Amitabh Bachchan expressed remorse for his absence in the previous year and extended his apologies to Hridaynath Mangeshkar.
During his speech, Amitabh Bachchan reminisced about his father, the celebrated Hindi poet Harivansh Rai Bachchan, who admired Lata Mangeshkar’s voice, comparing it to the flow of honey (‘shehad ki dhaar’). He praised Mangeshkar’s unparalleled sweetness and the seamless continuity of her ‘swar’ (melody), attributing it to a divine connection that resonated with the soul.
AR Rahman, taking to his Instagram page, shared his gratitude for receiving the award, expressing admiration for the Mangeshkar family’s rich legacy and their unwavering dedication to art.
Apart from Amitabh Bachchan and A R Rahman, actors Randeep Hooda, Ashok Saraf, playback singer Roopkumar Rathod, and actor Padmini Kolhapure were also honored at the event.
The Deenanath Mangeshkar Awards, instituted by the Mangeshkar family and the trust, serve as a tribute to the late Lata Mangeshkar, honoring her invaluable contributions to the Indian music industry. Prime Minister Narendra Modi was the inaugural recipient of the award, with Lata Mangeshkar’s sister, Asha Bhosle, receiving the honor in 2023.
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