It’s legendary singer Lata Mangeshkar’s 89th birthday today. She is known as the nightingale of India for the obvious reasons. Her voice practically ruled the Indian film industry for decades together. She scrapped out the concept of a particular singer singing for a particular artist. Her voice fit the face of any yesteryear heroine effortlessly. Naturally, there are ample of songs on her name not only from Bollywood but from the regional space as well.

We all know the public figure ‘Lata Mangeshkar’ through her work and music albums. But how was she as a person? What contributed into taking her career to this unreachable height? These 5 facts will give you some insight!

#1 Although brought up by a Goan father and a Maharashtrian mother, she started her first music lessons in Gujarati. Her maternal mother taught these lessons. She then went ahead to act in her father Pandit Deenanath Mangeshkar's musical plays at the age of five.

#2 She went to school only for a day. However, her music education started quite early. Her first public singing performance was just at the age of nine. She sang Raag Khambavati and two Marathi songs in Nutan Theatre, Sholapur.

#3 Struggles cannot be missed by the greatest of greats! Lata Mangeshkar too did not get an easy break in the film world. She sang her first song for the Marathi film ‘Kiti Hasaal’ in 1942. However, it was dropped from the film at the last moment.

#4 Music composer Ghulam Haider had suggested her voice to producer Sashaadhar Mukherjee in 1948. However, he rejected her for being ‘too thin’. A furious Haider then promised that during the upcoming years, all the directors and producers will beg her to sing for them.

#5 In 1948, her song ‘Ayega Anewala’ from Mahal, became an instant hit. The song that stars Madhubala in the lead, is till date considered as one of the best tracks sung by the singer. After this success, there was no looking back for her!

Well, they say that there is no shortcut to success and the ace singer’s journey is a perfect example of this. She gave us numerous songs as a gift to cherish and we wish her a healthy and prosperous year ahead.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 28, 2018 08:00 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).