Could you believe that? I mean, come on, it's Lata Mangeshkar we're talking about!

In Satyajit Ray’s Pratidwandwi, a character tells the protagonist (when the latter is getting frustrated in his job hunting process), “There will come a time when you will lose confidence in yourself and start to believe that you have no merit. But that’s not true.” Now rejections, as we all know, have a way of making us doubt ourselves. We begin to think we are being turned away because we are not good enough. But what if that’s not always the case? Sometimes, the fault actually lies with those sitting on the other side of the chair, because they fail to recognize true talent. Amitabh Bachchan, now celebrated for his iconic voice, was once rejected by All India Radio for the same. Manoj Bajpayee, one of India’s finest actors, faced multiple rejections from the National School of Drama. And yes, Lata Mangeshkar, whose voice later enthralled millions across generations, too faced rejection early in her career for her “thin voice.”

“There may not be a moment when someone, somewhere, is not listening to a song by Lata Mangeshkar.”

Born in Indore she worked as a child actor, before recording her 1st song for a Marathi film in 1942.

Happy Birthday #LataMangeshkar pic.twitter.com/XT3qeIIIVF

— Film History Pics (@FilmHistoryPic) September 28, 2020

(Credit: Film History Pics)

Well, as we remember the Nightingale of India on her birth anniversary, let's revisit this lesser-known chapter of her life, which proves that talent often needs time to be recognized, and rejection never defines one’s worth.

The Thin Voice Dilemma

In the late 1940s, Lata Mangeshkar, then a newcomer in the Mumbai film industry, auditioned for the film Shaheed (1948), produced by Shashadhar Mukherjee and directed by Ghulam Haider. But despite Haider's interest in her voice, Mukherjee rejected her, deeming her voice "too thin" for the film's heroine, Kamini Kaushal. This rejection was a significant hardship to Mangeshkar, who had recently moved from Pune to Bombay following her father's death. 

However, it's worth noting that Haider, believing in her potential, predicted that she would soon become a sought-after talent in the industry. 

“people will forget everyone including Noorjehan, when they hear your voice” - Composer Ghulam Haider said to Lata Mangeshkar.

He gave Lata M. her 1st major break in ‘Majboor’. Today he is almost forgotten.

Remembering him on death anniversary. pic.twitter.com/vfttATSt0d

— Film History Pics (@FilmHistoryPic) November 9, 2018

(Credit: Film History Pics)

Self-Criticism and Reluctance to Listen to Her Own Songs

Now, despite her immense success (not only in India but worldwide), Mangeshkar remained her harshest critic throughout her career. She confessed that she never listened to her own songs after recording them, fearing she would find numerous flaws. In a 2020 interview with Bollywood Hungama, she stated, "Never! I never listen to my songs. If I did, I would find a hundred mistakes in my singing. Even in the past, once I finished recording a song, I was done with it" .

Unmatched Contribution to Indian Music

Lata Mangeshkar's journey from being rejected for her "thin" voice to becoming the "Nightingale of India" shows her dedication. Over her illustrious career, she recorded over 50,000 songs in 14 languages, earning her numerous accolades, including the Bharat Ratna, India's highest civilian award. As it goes without saying, her voice became synonymous with the golden era of Bollywood music, and she remains an inspiration to generations of artists.

So, her story serves as a powerful reminder that initial setbacks can never define one's potential. The next time you get rejected, keep that in mind.