Sangli sings its best songs for the Mangeshkars

They knew the Mangeshkars were coming to Sangli, in Maharashtra after years. They knew that the Sangli Municipal Corporation was building a modern auditorium in honour of the head of the Mangeshkar family, Pandit Deenanath Mangeshkar. The Corporation under the active supervision of its young Mayor Suresh Patil and Municipal Commissioner Thakur went out of its way to put all its resources at its command to complete the auditorium for it to be inaugurated at the beginning of the 100th birth anniversary of the head of the ‘Mangeshkar Sangeet Samrajya’. Their noble intention, their sincerity and their hard work moved the Mangeshkars to tears of joy.

And the entire Mangeshkar family, decided to be present at the inauguration. The day, February 23, dawned. The excitement slowly spread. There was a humming sound first. Then some heavenly tunes played and within no time the whole of Sangli, men, women and children were singing some of their best songs of praises for the Mangeshkar family, one of the most amazing families of Maharashtra, one big diamond like no other diamond.

The entry of the Mangeshkars into Sangli was like a festival. Hundreds and thousands of people lined the streets of Sangli to have a glimpse of the Mangeshkars as they drove to the inauguration. There were all kinds of sounds in the atmosphere. There were the sounds of the policemen’s lathis too. There were stampedes in places but every sound seemed like a series of welcome songs, a welcome Sangli had rarely given to any other family.

The inauguration ceremony was concluded witin the auditorium after a bust of Pandit Deenanath Mangeshkar was garlanded by the Mangeshkar family, the Mayor and the Commissioner who were unanimous in calling the day one of the most significant days in the history of Sangli. They also thanked the Mangeshkar family and Mohan Wagh, the well-known theatre personality for their inspiration in building the auditorium brick by brick. Pandit Hridaynath Mangeshkar rose to speak on behalf of his family. He said he wondered why the people of Sangli were grateful to the Mangeshkars for being present at the inauguration. On the contrary, he said, the entire Mangeshkar family was grateful to the people of Sangli for honouring their family with such pomp and splendour.

Lata Mangeshkar, MP “sang” (she sings even when she speaks) of the early days the Mangeshkars spent in Sangli. Their father had spent several years in the pursuit of music and theatre in Sangli. Lata remembered the “naughty days” she, Meena and Asha, the sisters, had spent in Sangli. She remembered every house, every field, every tree, every river. She remembered the school where she studied “just for a day” because the paathshala didn’t allow her to carry little Ashalata (the real name of Asha Bhonsle) to school with her. She remembered all those memorable days till there were some problems and the family had to leave Sangli when Hridaynath was just one. Lata said Sangli was one place her family could never forget because Sangli stood by the family through a time when it was facing bad times. She said she was touched by the honour done to her father and the family and promised any help Sangli needed. She specially praised Mohan Wagh who she said had now become “Mohan Mangeshkar”. The things he had gone out of his way to do for the Mangeshkars had earned him the honour, she said.

The next morning Sangli raised its voice to a crescendo when the whole of Sangli packed its stadium where the Sangli Municipal Corporation felicitated the entire Mangeshkar family. It was a scene to be seen to be believed. It was a scene that will be etched in the minds and memories of Sangli and the Mangeshkars. Sangli was never so happy, never so excited, never so bright by day and night.

Ali Peter John