Vidya Balan receives Lata Deenanath Mangeshkar Award wearing a saree gifted by Lata Mangeshkar – Times of India

On 24 April at the Lata Deenanath Mangeshkar award function held at the Shanmukhananda Hall, Vidya Balan who was one of the recipients became emotional.
An ardent fan of Lataji, Vidya revealed while receiving the award that she was wearing a saree gifted to her by immortal songstress. “As a new actress I was watching Lata Mangeshkar with awe, at an event. Later, I mustered the courage to actually call her. I heard her divine voice on the phone, she sent me a sari home and it was a boon to me. I always wanted to wear this sari and show her one day, but today was meant to be. And here I am wearing this sari, and receiving the prestigious Master Deenanath Mangeshkar Award. It is indeed a blessing for me and as I speak, I am shaking. Thank you so much for this honour bestowed upon me.“ Thus spoke actress Vidya Balan at the award ceremony held at Shanmukhananda Hall.

Asha Bhosle received the coveted Lata Deenanath Mangeshkar Puraskar. “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 and set to voice by Lata Mangeshkar to a thunderous applause. The event was anchored by Hrishikesh Pandey and Kshitish Date.
The awards commemorated the 81st memorial anniversary of Late Master Deenanath Mangeshkar, the Master Deenanath Mangeshkar Smruti Pratishthan, Pune, a Registered Public Charitable Trust established and exclusively nurtured over the last 33 years by the Mangeshkar Family.

Besides Asha Bhosle and Vidya Balan, the Foundation felicitates legends from the field of music, drama, art, medical professionals and social work. Pandit Hridaynath Mangeshkar presided over the function.

Asha Bhosle was honoured with the prestigious Lata Deenanath Mangeshkar Puraskar, Pankaj Udhas with the Master Deenanath Mangeshkar Puraskar for Contribution to Indian Music, Gauri Theaters of Prashant Damle Fan Foundation for Best Drama of the Year – Niyam Va Ati Lagu, Shri Sadguru Seva Sangh Trust for Human Social Service, Granthali Prakashan with the Vagvilasini Puraskar for contribution to Literature, Prasad Oak with the Vishesh Puraskar for contribution to Cinema and Drama and Vidya Balan with the Vishesh Puraskar for contribution to Cinema.

The award function ceremony was followed by a musical and dance programme by Hariharan and Dr. Rahul Deshpande followed by Kathak by Meghranjani Medhi and Marami Medhi accompanied by Pt Joyprakash Medhi on vocals, Pt Pranshu Chaturlal and Vinay Mundhe on the tabla along with Shubham Ugale on the Pakhawaj.

This music and dance program was organised by Hridayesh Arts and the 81st Master Deenanath Mangeshkar Punyatithi is being jointly organised by Master Deenanath Mangeshkar Smruti Pratishthan and Hridayesh Arts.