Noor Jehan predicted Lata Mangeshkar would make it big one day

India's nightingale, Lata Mangeshkar, celebrated her 92nd birthday on Tuesday. The legendary playback singer's decades-long career has always been a testimony to her brilliance. On her birthday, The Indian Express quoted Mangeshkar when she met another celebrated veteran crooner, Noor Jehan. 

The Tere Liye singer, in her biography spoke about the time she rubbed shoulders with Malika-e-Tarannum, who predicted Mangeshkar would become a great singer someday. 

“One day, I was on the Badi Maa set and Master Vinayak introduced us saying, ‘This is Noor Jehan ji. Sing her a song'," the publication quoted the Lag Jaa Galay songstress. "So I sang Raag Jaijaiwanti. She then asked me to sing a film song, so I sang R C Boral’s ‘Jeevan hai bekaar bina tumhaare’ from the film Wapas. While I was singing I remembered Baba’s words, ‘If you sing in front of your guru, consider yourself a guru.’ So I sang with that thought in mind and she liked my voice. She told me to practice and said I will be a very good singer someday," the award-winning artist added. 

Like every year, many took to social media and wished the legendary singer. This year, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, prayed for Mangeshkar's health and wrote, "Birthday greetings to respected Lata Didi. Her melodious voice reverberates across the world. She is respected for her humility and passion for Indian culture. Personally, her blessings are a source of great strength. I pray for Lata Didi’s long and healthy life."

The famous singer has been working in the industry for over five decades now. While many thought Mangeshkar was naturally gifted, the singer rebutted the thought and added, “Natural talent is 75%, and the rest of it is hard work and training. People also say you have to take care of what you eat. They say don’t eat chilli, don’t consume pickles, or don’t have curd. But I don’t restrict myself. I have everything."

She added, "My father used to say, ‘You don’t need to put boundaries around yourself to be a singer, if you continue singing, your voice will be fine.’ Basically, this means you should keep singing so that you are always in practice. That’s all I have done my whole life, just sing."

Have something to add to the story? Share it in the comments below.