Lata Mangeshkar Tribute Concert at Royal Albert Hall Draws Thousands in Historic Bollywood Celebration
BBC’s annual summer season of orchestral music, known as the Proms, took a momentous turn as it paid a heartfelt tribute to the iconic Indian playback singer Lata Mangeshkar. Titled Lata Mangeshkar: Bollywood Legend, the concert marked a historic event as it brought to life some of Mangeshkar’s most beloved songs at the prestigious Royal Albert Hall in London. This performance was particularly special as it commemorated nearly 49 years since the music legend’s last live concert at the same venue.
The Prom 18 concert, which took place on Friday night, featured renditions from Mangeshkar’s original live performances at the Royal Albert Hall in 1974, accompanied by the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra (CBSO). The audience marveled as the award-winning late playback singer’s timeless classics, including Aye Mere Watan Ke Logo and Aaega Aane Wala from the film Mahal (1949), echoed through the iconic hall.
The evening kicked off with Palak Muchhal, a talented playback singer and philanthropist, mesmerizing the crowd with her rendition of the title track from the 1978 film Satyam Shivam Sundaram. She went on to enthrall the audience with soul-stirring melodies from Bollywood classics like Mughal-e-Azam and Kabhi Kabhie, as well as modern-day hits from Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge, Mohabbatein, and Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham.
The concert aimed to capture the essence of Mangeshkar’s illustrious career spanning nearly seven decades and over 50,000 songs in 36 different languages. Her mesmerizing voice and ability to evoke a wide range of emotions earned her the title of ‘The Nightingale of India.’ The song selection for the tribute concert beautifully showcased the diversity of Indian music over the years, featuring several medleys that spanned more than half a century.
Adding an extra layer of entertainment to the event, dancers from the Bollywood Co. London graced the stage, presenting dance sequences inspired by the original film choreography. The CBSO artists, including musicians Tim Pottier, Saurabh Shivakumar, Nathen Durasamy, and Michael Seal, skillfully arranged the music for the live orchestra, incorporating instruments such as violins, cellos, clarinets, and traditional Indian percussion like tabla, dholak, and dhol.
The concert marked the long-awaited return of Bollywood to the Proms after more than a decade. The Proms, also known as the Henry Wood Promenade Concerts, is an annual extravaganza presented by the BBC over eight weeks. While traditionally dedicated to western classical music, this year’s event aimed to embrace a broader audience, incorporating genres and artists from around the world. Alongside tributes to Portuguese fado and Northern Soul, the tribute to Lata Mangeshkar brought the magic of Bollywood to the forefront.
David Pickard, the Director of BBC Proms, expressed his enthusiasm for the diverse lineup and the inclusion of the Lata Mangeshkar tribute. He stated, The Proms celebrates genres and artists from around the world. This year we bring Portuguese fado and Northern Soul to the Proms for the first time, as well as a tribute to Bollywood playback singer Lata Mangeshkar.
The concert served as a poignant memorial for the legendary Lata Mangeshkar, who passed away at the age of 92 in February 2020. Her legacy lives on, and her contributions to Indian music will forever be cherished by millions of fans worldwide. The Prom 18 tribute concert at Royal Albert Hall served as a testament to Mangeshkar’s unparalleled talent and her everlasting presence in the hearts of music lovers.
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