In mourning, Lata Mangeshkar not to celebrate birthday

Sep 27, 2013 Subhash K. Jha

Mumbai, Sep 27 (IANS) India's nightingale Lata Mangeshkar grows a year older Saturday but she will not celebrate the day with fanfare.

Lata is no mood for celebrations.

"Recently, my elder sister Meena's husband passed away. And before that my younger sister Asha lost her daughter Varsha. This has been a bad year for the family. Even outside the family, there's so much happening that is not right. I see no reason to celebrate," said the 83-year-old.

However, one hears that Lata's brother Hridayanath Mangeshkar has planned a very special homage to his sister's timeless voice in the form of a marathon eight-hour concert in Pune. It is entitled Didi Aur Main.

The concert will have various musicians and singers paying musical tribute to the voice that has defined feminine beauty on celluloid for six decades.

Lata said: "I've heard about the concert. It is my brother's way of showing his love for me. I won't be there at the show because if I am present the singers would feel very self-conscious."