Stage set for felicitation of Lata with Maharashtra Bhushan award

NAGPUR, Nov 18: Melody Queen Lata Mangeshkar will be honoured with Maharashtra Government's highest award, Maharashtra Bhushan, at a functi...

NAGPUR, Nov 18: Melody Queen Lata Mangeshkar will be honoured with Maharashtra Government’s highest award, Maharashtra Bhushan, at a function to be held at Nagpur tomorrow at Vidhan Bhawan at 6.30 p m. The award, which includes a scroll of honour and a cash prize of Rs five lakh, will be presented to the legendary singer by Chief Minister Manohar Joshi.

Elaborate arrangements are being made under the personal supervision of Minister of State for Cultural Affairs Anil Deshmukh to create a befitting setting for the function.

A stage has been erected against the imposing backdrop of the Vidhan Bhawan building. The programme has been organised by the state government’s Cultural Affairs department with the help of Vidarbha Sahitya Sangh, Natya Parishad, Saptak, NSS wing of Nagpur University and the state Public Works Department.

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Mayor Devendra Phadnavis, Minister for Cultural Affairs Pramod Navalkar, Nagpur’s Guardian Minister Nitin Gadkari, Minister of State for Labour and Forests Vinod Gudadhe and other ministers and legislators are expected to attend the function.

The Dhadpad Manch will present Lata Gaurav Geet’ and Maharashtra Geet’. Noted vocalist Kalyani Deshmukh will render the Pasayadan and announcer Shekhar Bendre will read out the scroll of honour. Following the felicitation function, a musical programme will be presented by Amruta and Tyagraj Khadilkar.

Deshmukh told journalists at a press conference yesterday that Lata will arrive in Nagpur later today along with Hridaynath Mangeshkar and others. She will leave for Mumbai on Thursday evening.