Vidya Balan wears saree gifted by Lata Mangeshkar as she receives the Deenanath Mangeshkar award: ‘I always wanted to…’

Vidya then went on to say, “I have had the good fortune of receiving many awards in my career and I always thought of them as an appreciation for my work, today this award feels like an honour”.

At the award function,  Lata’s sister and veteran singer Asha Bhosle received the coveted Lata Deenanath Mangeshkar Puraskar. On this, she said, “This is my most prestigious award, but I wish Lata Didi were here in person.” Narrating incidents from her childhood, an emotional Asha Bhosle sang Mogara Phulala  composed by Hridaynath Mangeshkar, which was originally sung by Lata Mangeshka and released in 1999.

Along with Vidya Balan and Asha Bhosle, Gazal singer Pankaj Udhas  was conferred with the Master Deenanath Mangeshkar Puraskar for his contribution to Indian Music as well.

The awards are held every year in which the Mangeshkhar family (younger siblings of the late Lata Mangeshkar, Usha Mangeshkar and Hridaynath Mangeshkar) honours various artistes for their contributions to the field of arts and society at large. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is said to be its first recipient.

In a statement about the award ceremony, the Mangeshkar family had said, “In memory of Master Deenanathji, whose monumental contributions as singer, musician and stage artiste have been an inspiration to the people of Maharashtra and India, the Mangeshkar family organises the Master Deenanath Mangeshkar Smruti Pratishthan Awards to honour legends. We are glad that we have the love and support of the masses,” PTI noted.