Lata Mangeshkar to stay in hospital for now, ‘her condition is stabilising’

Legendary singer Lata Mangeshkar is still undergoing treatment at the intensive care unit of a Mumbai hospital. According to doctors while her condition is stabilising, she would be kept on ventilator for a few days for observation.

“She is undergoing treatment for pneumonia and considering her age, we can’t take any risk. She has been kept on high dosage of antibiotics,” said a senior doctor from Breach Candy hospital where Mangeshkar is currently admitted. A team of cardiologists and medicine is keeping a constant eye on the singer. However, the hospital refused to make any official statement on the matter.

The 90-year-old was rushed to the hospital around 2.30am on Monday when she complained of difficulty in breathing. As per a statement released by Rachana Shah, daughter of Mangeshkar’s sister, Meena, said: “Lata didi suffered a viral chest infection, so we got her to the hospital. She is on the path of recovery. Thank you for your concern.”

A statement from the singer’s team on Monday evening said as per PTI, “Her parameters are good. Honestly speaking, she has fought so well that she is coming out of this setback. Being a singer, her lung capacity has pulled her through. Truly a fighter. We will update everyone when Lata ji gets discharged and comes home. (We) request that we give family the space they deserve at the moment.”

Also read: Lata Mangeshkar under observation after chest pain

Earlier speaking to PTI, Mangeshkar’s younger sister Usha Mangeshkar said the singer had a viral infection and should be discharged by Tuesday. “Lata didi is still in hospital. She is under observation. She is doing absolutely well and is stable. She will be discharged by tomorrow. We thought it’s better to treat her at a hospital because of the viral infection so she is there for today,” said Usha, amid reports that the musical icon had already been discharged and was recuperating at home.

In a career spanning over seven decades, the Indore-born Mangeshkar has lent her voice to thousands of songs in over 1,000 Hindi films as well as in various regional and foreign languages. The indefatigable Mangeshkar recorded her last song this year. Saugandh Mujhe Is Mitti Ki was released on March 30 as a tribute to the Indian Army.

Her last full album in 2004 was Veer-Zaara when she was 75. She started her journey as a playback singer in 1942 with Vasant Joglekar’s Marathi movie Kiti Hasaal. Her first song to release was Natali Chaitraachi Navalaai from Pahili Mangalaa-gaur. She also acted in the movie.

Mangeshkar was awarded the Bharat Ratna, the highest civilian honour in the country, in 2001. She was given the Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 1989.

(With PTI inputs)

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