At the Lata Deenanath Mangeshkar Award ceremony held at Shanmukhananda Hall on April 24, Vidya Balan, one of the recipients, got 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 prestigious Lata Deenanath Mangeshkar Award.

“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 award commemorates the 81st commemorative anniversary of Late Master Deenanath Mangeshkar, Master Deenanath Mangeshkar Smriti Pratishthan, Pune, a registered public charitable trust established and exclusively nurtured by the Mangeshkar family over the last 33 years.

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 ceremony was followed by a music and dance program by Hariharan and Dr. Rahul Deshpande, followed by Kathak by Meghranjani Medhi and Marami Medhi with vocals by Pandit Joyprakash Medhi, Pandit Pranshu Chaturlal and Vinay Munde on tabla accompanied by Shubham Ugle.

This program of music and dance was organized by Hridayesh Arts and the 81st Master Deenanath Mangeshkar death anniversary is being organized jointly by Master Deenanath Mangeshkar Smriti Pratishthan and Hridayesh Arts.