Ms. Mangeshkar returns cash pize

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Mumbai, Feb 26 (UNI) Melody Queen Lata Mangeshkar was honoured with the 'Uttam Vaggayekar Jialal Vasant' award at the 7th Vasantotsav, annual festival of classical music, at the Ajivasan Auditorium here.

Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh, who is the Chief Patron of Ajivasan, presented the award-a silver brick and cash of Rs one lakh--to Lata at a function last night.

In reply to the felicitation, Lata said ''I feel I am not worthy of this award. I learnt music from my father. After his demise, I started singing for films due to which I could not give much time to my 'riyaz'. I am a playback singer and not a classical singer. I will keep the silver brick but return the cash prize of Rs 1 lakh.'' On the occasion Chief Minister Deshmukh said,'' There are people who are felicitated with awards, but this is one award which has become prestigious because Lata Didi has accepted it.'' Vasantotsav is the annual festival of classical music organised by Acharya Jialal Vasant Sangeeet Niketan in memory of the Acharya.

The Niketan also completes its 75th successful year in the service of music this year. Instituted in the memory of Acharya Jialal Vasant, who himself was a musician and teacher extraordinaire, the award is conferred to accomplished composers, lyricists and those who excel in the field of music and dance.

The silver brick, weighing 1.25 kg, has inscription of Uttam Vaggeykar penned by Rishi Sharangdeo. Recipients of the award include Pandit Jasraj (2001), Pt Shivkumar Sharma (2002), Dr Balamurli Krishnan (2003), Pt Bhimsen Joshi (2004) Pt Ram Narayan (2005) and Pt Hariprasad Chaurasia (2006).

The occasion was marked with a solo performance by tabla maestro Ustad Zakir Hussain, who was accompanied by Ustan Sultan Khan on Sarangi.

Bollywood Diva Rekha, Chief Minister's wife Vaishali Deshmukh, Ustad Sultan Khan, Ismail Darbar, Durga Jasraj, Kiran Shantaram, Pt Hariprasad Chaurasia, Bhupinder Singh, Sonu Nigam, Suresh Wadkar, Pt Hridaynath Mangeshkar and Ustad Zakir Hussain were present on the occasion.