Its the birthday of he youngest Mangeshkar sister, Usha Mangeshkar. Despite being a talented and versatile singer with a melodious voice she did not get the success her older siblings enjoyed and remained overshadowed by the towering presence of Lata didi and Asha Tai. Some of Usha ji’s most memorable songs include “Aplam Chaplam” from Azaad (1955), “Kahe Tarsaye Jiyara” from Chitralekha (1964), “Main To Aarti Utaroon” from Jai Santoshi Maa (1975), “Mangda Hai To Aaja” from Inkaar (1977), & “Goro Ki Na Kaalon Ki” from Disco Dancer (1982).
Early Life and Family
Usha Mangeshkar was born on December 15, 1935, in Indore, Madhya Pradesh. Her father, Deenanath Mangeshkar, was a renowned Marathi theatre actor, Natya Sangeet musician, and Hindustani classical vocalist. Her mother, Shevanti Mangeshkar, was from a Gujarati businessman and landowning family of Thalner. Usha grew up in a musical environment with her siblings Lata Mangeshkar, Asha Bhosle, Meena Khadikar, and Hridaynath Mangeshkar, all of whom went on to become prominent figures in the Indian music industry.
Tragically, Usha’s father passed away when she was only six years old, leaving the family in financial distress. To support the family, Lata Mangeshkar, the eldest sibling, and later Asha, began acting and singing to earn a livelihood. Inspired by her elder sisters, Usha developed a keen interest in singing and decided to pursue a career in music.
Singing Career
Usha Mangeshkar began her singing career in the early 1950s. She made her debut with the song “Badi Dhoom Dham Se Meri Bhabi Aayi” from the film “Subah Ka Tara” (1954). One of her most famous songs was a duet with Lata Mangeshkar, “Aplam Chaplam,” in Azaad (1955), which went on to become a classic. She also sang the iconic song “O Albele Panchi” with Asha Bhosle in Devdas (1955), which was picturised on child Devdas and Paro. She gave her voice to another iconic song, “Duniya Mein Hum Aaye Hain To Jeena Hi Padega,” with Lata and Meena Mangeshkar in “Mother India.”
Despite her breakthrough, Usha did not get many chances to sing in the big films. In her early years in the industry, she mainly sang for low-budget films. But slowly, her talent caught the attention of bigger music directors and filmmakers.
Some of her famous songs from this period include O Baliye O Baliye Chal Chaliye (Azaad), Meri Aasha Ke Phool Meri Baahon Mein Jhoo (insaniyat), Jalwa Jo Tera Dekha Humne (Gateway Of India), Yeh Na Thi Hamari Kismat (Main Nashe Men Hoon), Teri Murli Ki Taan Meri Jaan Ban Gayi (Naya Sansar), and many more.
Usha Mangeshkar Remains Underrated
Some of her other notable films in this period include Chandni Chowk, Pilpli Saheb, Ek Hi Rasta, Patrani, Zindagi, Panchayat, Baazigar, Rani Rupmati, Kabuliwala, Grahasti, Gumnaam, Khandan, Sikandar-E-Azam, Dil Ne Phir Yaad Kiya, Anita, Baharon Ke Sapne, Jeene Ki Raah, Namak Haraam, and many more.
She sang many memorable songs like Aaja Tu Aaja Aji Naa (Jhumroo), Ek Baat Poochhta Hoon (Banarasi Thug), Yeh Umar Hai Kya Rangeeli (Professor), Kehte Hain Jisko Ishq Tabiyat Ki Baat Hai (Aaj Aur Kal), Chali Chali Kaisi Hawa Yeh Chali (Bluff Master), Agar Koi Humko Sahara Na Dega (Nartakee), Dekho Bijli Dole Bin Baadal Ki (Phir Wohi Dil Laya Hoon), Tumko Piya Dil Diya (Shikari), Kaahe Tarsaaye Jiyara (Chitralekha), Aagre Ka Lala Angreji Dulhan Laya Re (Dus Lakh), Hai Nazar Ka Ishara Sambhal Jaiye (Anita), Jab Jab Bahaar Aayee (Taqdeer), Jo Yahan Tha Wo Wahan (Dhund), Tumhawar Keli Mi Marji Bahal (Pinjara), and many more.
The Late Breakthrough
Usha Mangeshkar’s breakthrough came with the 1975 film “Jai Santoshi Maa,” where she sang devotional songs that became immensely popular. The song “Main To Aarti Utaroon Re Santoshi Mata Ki” from the film became a household favourite and earned her a nomination for the Filmfare Award for Best Female Playback Singer. The success of “Jai Santoshi Maa” catapulted Usha into the limelight.
In 1977, she sang one of her most famous songs, “Mungda,” in Inkaar (1977). This peppy number became one of Usha’s most iconic songs and is still popular today.
Usha Mangeshkar’s extensive filmography includes a wide range of songs in various languages. Here are some of her most memorable songs, including “Yeh Jeena Hai Angoor Ka Daana” in Khatta Meetha (1977), “Na Na Jaane Na Doongi” from Priyatama (1977), “Sultana Sultana” in Taraana (1979), “Chanda Mama Se Pyara Mera Mama” in Kartavya (1979), “Hum Tum Dono Saath Mein” in Taraana (1979), “Muje Pyar Ka Tohfa Deke” in Kaala Patthar, “Pakdo, Pakdo, Pakdo” and “Rang Jamake Jayenge” in Naseeb (1981), “Goro Ki Na Kaalon Ki” from Disco Dancer (1982), the Gujarati song “Sona-No Sooraj Ugyo” and “Aavo Aavo Momino Sahu Aavore” from Noorani Chehra, and “Humse Nazar To Milao” from Ikraar (1980), Jaanu Meri Jaan in Shaan (1980), and “Aaya Mausam Dosti Ka” in Maine Pyar Kiya (1989), among others.
In her long career, Usha Mangeshkar collaborated with some of the most renowned music directors and singers in the Indian music industry. She worked with legendary composers like Shankar-Jaikishan, Kalyanji-Anandji, Laxmikant-Pyarelal, R.D. Burman, and Bappi Lahiri.
In addition to her work in Hindi films, Usha also recorded numerous songs in regional languages, including Marathi, Gujarati, Bengali, Kannada, Nepali, Bhojpuri, and Assamese.
Legacy
Usha Mangeshkar has been honoured with several awards and honours for her contributions to Indian music. She gets multiple nominations for the Filmfare Best Female Playback Singe Award for Best Female Playback Singer, including for the songs “Main To Aarti” from Jai Santoshi Maa (1975), “Mangta Hai To Aaja” from Inkaar (1977), and “Humse Nazar To Milao” from Ikraar (1980).
Usha received a prestigious Lata Mangeshkar Award from the Government of Maharashtra in 2020. She also gets the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Mirchi Awards for her contributions to Indian music.
Usha Mangeshkar is also an animal lover and has a pet dog named Bittu. In her leisure time, Usha enjoys painting and has a keen interest in art. She believes that acting and painting have a deep connection. She often makes sketches while listening to songs.
Usha Mangeshkar on IMDB
