Lata Mangeshkar confers Pt. Deenanath Mangeshkar Awards to Anna Hazare, Zakir Hussain & Rishi Kapoor

Bharat Ratna Lata Mangeshkar today conferred the prestigious ‘72nd Master Deenanath Mangeshkar Awards’ to various eminent personalities for their outstanding contribution in the field of cinema, music, theatre, literature and social work. In this 25th year of Master Deenanath Mangeshkar Awards, Lata Mangeshkar personally felicitated- Anna Hazare, Ustad Zakir Hussain, Rishi Kapoor, Shivaji Satam, Pandit Pandrinath Kohlapure and others. All the awardees were conferred with a memento and a cash prize of Rs. 1 lakh each.

On the occasion Lata Mangeshkar said, “We are commemorating my father Master Deenanath Mangeshkar’s death anniversary as ‘Smriti Din’ on 24th of April consecutively for the last 72 years wherein Master Deenanath Mangeshkar awards have been given for last 25 years on the same day. These awards are given to the eminent people in the field of cinema, music, theatre, literature, and social work. I am so indebted to all the people for their outstanding response to this awards”. She then said, “It is my immense pleasure that today stalwarts like Anna Hazare, Ustad Zakir Hussain, Rishi Kapoor, Shivaji Satam and Pandit Pandrinath Kohlapure have accepted Master Deenanath Mangeshkar Award”. She then fondly remembered, “Chintu (Rishi Kapoor) has played in my arms when he was just two years and I am very fond of him since then. He is one of my favorite actors and I have seen all his films till date, I like his acting and dancing both. I am so happy today he is here to receive this award.” She then added, “Even Zakir Bhai I have seen him very small when use to accompany his father Ustad Allah Rakha, who in turn was very fond of me and used to treat me like a daughter. I remember recording 6 songs in a day for him for a film for which he gave music. Today I am so happy that Zakir Bhai has grown as a prominent artist and is making us proud all over the world.’ Then she concluded, “I am so much touched with the love and affection shown by you all because of whom I am – Lata Mangeshkar.”

Ranbir Kapoor

In his acceptance speech Anna Hazare said, “When Pandit Hridaynath Mangeshkar came all the way to my village and humbly requested me to accept Master Deenanath Mangeshkar Award, I told him he could have just telephoned me and I would have come to accept it. Though in past I have been offered an award which had a cash prize of 1 Crore but I declined it as I was not sure of the organizers. But when Mangeshakars approached me, I had no doubt in mind and I happily agreed to accept this award”. He further said, “I am proud that I with my efforts today I am able to bring some changes in the society, its noteworthy that my sitting on fast can sent 6 corrupt ministers and more than 400 corrupt bureaucrats to the jail.” He further said, “I have served the army for 15 years and then came back to my village Ralegaon-Siddhi to make it a liquor free, clean and ideal village.” He then stated, “My fight against corruption and injustice will continue till the end of my life. I am ready to die for my country then to die from a disease or a heart attack. I will not sit calm till I remove all the corruption.”

While receiving the award Rishi Kapoor said, “I am born in Maharashtra and I am Punjabi by caste but neither know Punjabi or Marathi. Rather I choose to speak in our national language – Hindi.” He then said, “I know Lata Ma since I was very small as a child and since then she has been always very affectionate to me. I am honored to receive this prestigious award through her hands today. In a way mission of my life is accomplished.” He then mentioned, “Even when I was a child and used to get beaten by my mother for my mischiefs, I used to go in front of the mirror and cry so then I can see how I look while crying, thus I am a born actor.”

Ustad Zakir Hussain said, “I am truly honored to receive this prestigious award through hands of Lata Ji who is a mother figure for me, it’s surely one of the most memorable days of my life.”