New Delhi: The Mangeshkar family on Monday announced that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be honored with the inaugural Lata Deenanath Mangeshkar Award.
The Prime Minister will receive the award – the Lata Deenanath Mangeshkar Award – on April 24, which is the 80th death anniversary of the singer’s father, Master Deenanath Mangeshkar.
In a statement, the family and Master Deenanath Mangeshkar Smriti Pratishthan Charitable Trust said they have decided to institute the award from this year in honor and memory of Lata Mangeshkar, who passed away in February following multiple organ failure. She was 92 years old.
PM Modi had attended his funeral in Mumbai to pay his last respects to the legendary singer, whom he considered his elder sister.
The Lata Deenanath Mangeshkar Award will be given every year to only one individual who has made a pioneering, illustrious and exemplary contribution to the nation, its people and society.
“We are pleased and honored to announce that the first prize winner is none other than the Honorable Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi,” the statement read.
Modi will be honored with the award at the upcoming Master Deenanath Mangeshkar Award ceremony.
The Master Deenanath Mangeshkar Award aims to honor stalwarts in the fields of music, drama, art, medicine and social work.
The Mangeshkar family further said in a statement, Veteran actors Asha Parekh and Jackie Shroff will receive the Master Deenanath Award (Special Honour) for “dedicated services in the field of cinema”.
Rahul Deshpande will receive the Master Deenanath Award for Indian Music, while the best drama award will go to the play “Sanjay Chhaya”.
Master Deenanath Award (Anandmayee Award) will be given to Nutan Mumbai Tiffin Box Supplier Charity Trust for “dedicated services in the field of social service”.
“In memory of Master Deenanathji, whose significant contribution as a singer, composer and stage artist has been an inspiration to the people of Maharashtra and India, the Mangeshkar family organizes the Master Deenanath Mangeshkar Smriti Pratishthan Awards to honor the legends of us. Glad that we have the public’s love and support,” veteran musicians Hridaynath Mangeshkar and Usha Mangeshkar said in a joint statement.
The award ceremony will also host a concert “Swarlatanjali” by renowned singer Roopkumar Rathod, which will be a tribute to “the immortal melody and memories of our beloved Lata didi”, the statement further said.