Amitabh Bachchan receives Lata Deenanath Mangeshkar Puraskar, says he feels blessed

Amitabh Bachchan was honoured with the Lata Deenanath Mangeshkar Puraskar on Wednesday night. The Megastar received the recognition on April 24, the memorial day of Deenanath Mangeshkar, the theatre-music veteran and father of Mangeshkar's siblings.

The late singer's family and trust initiated the award in her memory after she diedin 2022. Lata Mangeshkar died due to multiple organ failure.

Bachchan received the recognition on April 24, the memorial day of Deenanath Mangeshkar, the theatre-music veteran and father of Mangeshkar siblings.

Big B's career spans over five decades and he has delivered several iconic and blockbuster films in his career such as Zanjeer, Deewar, Chupke Chupke, Mohabbatein, and Piku. Bachchan said he was blessed to receive the award.

"I'm fortunate to receive this award today. I never really regarded myself worthy of such an award, but Hridyanath ji tried hard so that I could come here. He even invited me to this ceremony last year.

"Hridaynath ji, I apologise to you for last time. I had then told you I was unwell. I was healthy but didn't want to come here. This year I had no excuse, so I had to come here," Bachchan said in his award acceptance speech.

The actor said his father and celebrated Hindi poet Harivansh Rai Bachchan used to liken Lata Mangeshkar's voice to "shehad ki dhaar".

"The sweetness in her voice was honey and as the flow of honey never breaks, her 'swar' never breaks. Whenever someone hits the right chord, our soul meets with 'parmatma' . And Lata Mangeshkar ji's 'swar' joins us with God," Bachchan said.

Singer Usha Mangeshkar, the third eldest Mangeshkar sibling, presented the award to Bachchan. Earlier, veteran singer Asha Bhosle, the second Mangeshkar sibling, was supposed to give away the trophies but gave the event a miss as she is unwell. Big B attended the awards ceremony with his son Abhishek Bachchan.

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The award, known as the Lata Deenanath Mangeshkar Puraskar, is given every year to an individual who has made a path-breaking contribution towards the nation, its people and society. Prime Minister Narendra Modi was its first recipient, followed by Asha Bhosle in 2023.

The function was presided over by music composer Hridaynath Mangeshkar, the youngest Mangeshkar sibling.

At the event, music maestro A R Rahman received the Master Deenanath Mangeshkar Puraskar for his contribution to Indian music.

(With agency inputs)