FROM across the south Asian diaspora, the refrain was the same: Lata Mangeshkar, who died in Mumbai last Sunday (6), aged 92, may have gone, but her songs will live on forever.
She had a special connection with the UK, where her first concert in 1974 was in a packed Royal Albert Hall. She also maintained an apartment in St John’s Wood in London. Over the decades, many a guest picked one of her memorable songs when they were guests on BBC Radio 4’s Desert Island Discs.
Lata’s story in many ways coincides with that of modern India. “Lataji’s role in Indian cultural history is beyond dispute,” Rachel Dwyer, Professor Emerita of Indian Cultures and Cinema, School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London, told Eastern Eye.
“She was a brilliant musician blessed with one of the world’s great voices,” Dwyer added. Her books include a biography of Yash Chopra, the director and producer who has made such films as Deewaar, Kabhi Kabhie, and Dil To Pagal Hai. She is also the author of Bollywood’s India: Hindi Cinema as a Guide to Contemporary India and Filming the Gods: Religion and Indian Cinema.
Rachel Dwyer (credit: SOAS)
Dwyer said, “Her songs have been central to the emotional landscape of generations of Indians and I, like many people, feel as though I personally experienced feelings in many times and places I would never have known, but through the beauty of her songs.” She recalled “being very excited when I first went to meet this iconic figure, but disappointed she wasn’t there when I arrived at the recording studio for Dil To Pagal Hai in south Mumbai. Then I heard a laugh in a bell-like tone, a magical noise, and saw a small figure in her trademark white sari. I watched in awe as she concentrated on the music, marking her score, singing so softly I could barely hear her, before going into a booth to deliver it perfectly.”
Later over lunch, “she encouraged me to try everything, and was warm and friendly despite my halting Hindi. Yashji and she were like siblings. I was used to his seniority in the industry, but he always called her ‘Didi’ (elder sister). Together they were like two young people who were professionals rather than stars.
“Lataji was called the Nightingale of India, but in real life had no dull feathers. She had a birdlike grace, she sparkled. Her eyes were bright, darting around, taking everything in, her sari bright white, her diamonds dazzling, and above all, that distinctive voice was clear as crystal.”
Lata Mangeshkar at Royal Albert Hall (credit: ANI)
Another assessment was given by the London-based film historian Lalit Mohan Joshi, who set up the South Asian Cinema Foundation. “Lataji’s voice and soul are timeless,” he said. “Her physical passing away symbolises the demise of the golden age of Indian film music.
“As a child the impact on her after seeing KL Saigal’s Chandidas was so deep, she said she would marry KL Saigal. She was honed as a playback singer by Khemchand Prakash, Anil Biswas, Naushad and Salil Choudhury. Lataji will live on as an icon of Indian classical, folk, devotional and film music and inspire generations to come.”
When in London, Lata would often come and have homemade Gujarati food with the historian Kusoom Vadgama, who said: “I am, as with other millions, deeply saddened by the loss of a great Indian, who became the voice of India. I still get goosebumps when I hear Aye Mere Watan Ke Logon.”
When the singer visited Vadgama’s office and home in Finchley, north London, she was relieved when no one recognised her. “In Bombay,” Lata explained, “hundreds of people gather wherever I go.” Vadgama reassured her: “You are safe here.”
Kusoom Vadgama and mother Champaben
Lata was very respectful towards Kusum’s elderly mother, Champaben (who died in 2009, aged 100).
“Once when we were in Brent Cross Shopping Centre, we bumped into Lata who bent down and touched my mother’s feet. She did not behave like a big star. She was an amazing personality – always down to earth and warm every time we met.”
In 2005, the economist and Hindi film buff, Lord Meghnad Desai (who has written about Lata in Eastern Eye this week), was asked in an interview to name the public figure he would most like to spend his time with if he were to be marooned on a desert island. “Lata Mangeshkar,” he replied, without hesitation.
Lata was brought to London for her debut concert in 1974 by the late businessman and impresario Satya Narayan Gourisaria, who considered it one of his greatest achievements.
After Lata had been introduced to her audience by Gourisaria, there followed speeches by the film legend Dilip Kumar, and two Labour pro-Indian stalwarts, the MP Julius Silverman and the then employment secretary and future party leader, Michael Foot.
During the concert, which was later released as an LP, Lata began with a shloka from the Bhagawad Gita. She sang songs which are now part of Indian culture, among them Inhin Logon Ne (Pakeezah), Pyar Kiya Toh Darna Kya (Mughal-E-Azam), Ye Zindagi Usi Ki Hai (Anarkali), Aaega Aane Wala (Mahal), Aaja Re Pardesi (Madhumati), concluding as she often did with the patriotic Aye Mere Watan Ke Logon. There are quite a few celebrities who have picked a Lata song on Desert Island Discs.
Vikram Seth, author of A Suitable Boy, chose Ab Raat Guzarne Waali Hai (Awara) in 2012; cookery expert Pinky Lilani picked Lag Ja Gale (Woh Kaun Thi) in 2017; and Oscar winner Asif Kapadia’s list in 2019 included Kabhi Kabhi Mere Dil Mein (Kabhi Kabhie).
Nor were all the guests Indian.
In 2009, Gore Gore O Banke Chhore, sung by Lata, was the surprise choice of Jan Pienkowski, the illustrator of children’s stories, including his best-known creations, Meg and Mog.
Pienkowski was born in Poland in 1936 and found himself deposited in England at the age of nine with his parents because of the war. He didn’t have a word of English, but did well at his state school and got a place to read Classics and English at King’s College, Cambridge, in the 1950s. “When I went to King’s there was a little house by the Granta pub,” Pienkowski told Kirsty Wark, the presenter. “(There were) about five of us put together and I gradually realised that the reason we were all there was that we were all foreign. There was an Irish American, a Jewish South African, a Punjabi, myself and my great friend Dilip Dharkar who was from Bombay – and he and I used to sing this pop song over and over and over again.”
Then one day Pienkowski realised the contagion had spread to “our wonderful (English) landlady”.
“I remember her coming up the stairs with the breakfast singing …Gore Gore…..”
The song is from the film Samadhi, which was the biggest hit of 1950. It starred Ashok Kumar and Nalini Jaywant and was directed by Ramesh Saigal. It tells of two brothers who find themselves on opposite sides during war.
“Lata Mangheskar and Gore Gore…still stuck in your head…you still know all the words to that….,” laughed Wark. “Astonishing, yes,” responded Pienkowski.
Priyanka Chopra Jonas says she’s just getting started in Hollywood.
Stars as a fierce MI6 agent alongside Idris Elba and John Cena.
Gets into serious action mode with explosions, helicopters, and hand-to-hand combat.
Says her journey is still evolving, with much more to explore in the West.
Priyanka Chopra Jonas may have ruled Bollywood for over two decades, but the global star believes she’s still “nascent” in her Hollywood journey, and that’s what makes it exciting.
The Quantico and Citadel actor stars in the new Amazon Prime Video film Heads of State, playing a sharp MI6 agent named Noel Bisset. Her character has a complicated history with British Prime Minister Sam Clarke (played by Idris Elba) and is tasked with protecting him and the newly elected US President Will Derringer (John Cena) when they're attacked before a major NATO conference.
Priyanka Chopra calls herself nascent in Hollywood as 'Heads of State' streams on Prime VideoGetty Images
In a chat with PTI, Priyanka said she’s proud of her Indian film career and now wants to build an equally diverse portfolio in the West.
“It’s constant evolution for sure. I would’ve never imagined in 2002, when I did my first movie, that I’d be here today,” she said. “I feel like I’m really nascent in my work in the West. I have a major filmography in India, across genres and with amazing filmmakers. I want to build on that in English-language work too. There’s a lot more to do and explore, and I’m excited to see what unfolds.”
Over the years, Priyanka has taken on major Hollywood roles in Baywatch, The Matrix Resurrections, Love Again, and, of course, her breakout lead role in Quantico.
With Heads of State, directed by Ilya Naishuller, she says she had a blast, literally. From gun battles and hand-to-hand fights to explosive helicopter sequences, the film puts her action skills to the test once again.
“I want to be proud of the work I do. I try to choose characters with agency, not just ornamental roles,” she said. “This was a fun movie to do, and I’m really proud of what I did with this character.”
Priyanka Chopra wants to build her English film portfolio after Bollywood successGetty Images
The action-heavy film gave her the chance to collaborate with WWE legend-turned-actor John Cena for the first time, even though they started their careers around the same time in the early 2000s.
“I’ve known of John since his WWE days. He’s so popular in India; it’s hard not to know him,” she laughed. “When he transitioned to movies, I found his choice of roles really interesting. So I was very excited to work with him.”
Priyanka added that Cena is just as funny off-screen as he is on it, something that made their scenes easier and more spontaneous.
“He’s got great comedic timing even in real life. That helps a lot, especially when you're improvising on set.”
Talking about the film’s high-octane stunts, Priyanka gave full credit to the crew.
“Actors are only as good as the teams around us, especially in a movie like this. We had an incredible stunt team and a visionary director who storyboarded nearly every shot. He knew exactly how high a helicopter needed to be or how big an explosion should look. When you’re surrounded by such a solid technical team, you feel confident and capable, no matter which country you’re filming in.”
Ilya Naishuller, Priyanka Chopra and John Cena attend the special screening for "Head of State" Getty Images
The ensemble cast also includes Paddy Considine, Stephen Root, Carla Gugino, Jack Quaid, and Sarah Niles. The film is produced by Peter Safran and John Rickard.
As she continues balancing work across continents, Priyanka Chopra says one thing remains unchanged: her drive to grow.
“Success is constant evolution,” she said. “And I feel like I’m just getting started out here.”
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Arijit Singh becomes most followed musician on Spotify
• Arijit Singh makes global music history with 151 million Spotify followers
• Surpasses Taylor Swift and Ed Sheeran in follower count
• Still trails in monthly listeners with 47.4 million vs. The Weeknd's 112.2 million
• Other Indians in top 25 include A R Rahman, Pritam, and Neha Kakkar
Indian playback sensation Arijit Singh has achieved a record-breaking milestone by becoming the most followed artist on Spotify, beating global icons Taylor Swift and Ed Sheeran in the process. With a staggering 151 million followers, the Tum Hi Ho singer now tops the list of most followed musicians on the streaming giant, according to updated rankings released by data tracking platforms Chartmasters and Volt.fm earlier this week.
Swift, one of the world’s top pop stars, holds second place with 139.6 million followers, while Ed Sheeran, who recently released an India-inspired track titled Sapphire, follows at number three with 121 million.
Although Singh leads in follower count, the monthly listener figures tell a different story. Arijit clocks in at 47.4 million monthly listeners. In comparison, The Weeknd leads with 112.2 million, followed by Ed Sheeran (98.4 million), Billie Eilish (95.1 million), and Taylor Swift (82.3 million).
This difference highlights a key distinction: followers represent loyal fans who want updates on future releases, while listeners are users who stream the artist’s songs during a given period, often influenced by recent trends or viral hits.
Arijit Singh clicked during a performance Getty Images
Indians on the global Spotify map
Arijit isn’t the only Indian name on the coveted list. A R Rahman sits at No. 14 with 65.6 million followers, Pritam is 21st with 53.4 million, and Neha Kakkar holds the 25th spot at 48.5 million. Legendary icons from the golden era of Indian music also feature Lata Mangeshkar at the 100th rank (22 million followers) and Kishore Kumar is 144th (16 million), proving their enduring legacy across generations.
From reality show to stadium shows
Arijit Singh’s journey is a modern-day music fairy tale. The 38-year-old first appeared on the TV reality show Fame Gurukul in 2005. But it wasn’t until 2013 that he truly arrived, thanks to the soulful blockbuster Tum Hi Ho from Aashiqui 2, which turned him into an overnight star. Since then, he’s been the go-to voice for every mood: heartbreak (Channa Mereya), longing (Raabta), celebration (Kesariya), and everything in between (Phir Le Aaya Dil, Ae Dil Hai Mushkil).
Now, Arijit is taking his voice global once again with a major live concert at London’s Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, solidifying his place not just as India’s favourite singer, but a global music force to reckon with.
GREATER MANCHESTER POLICE is now investigating more than 1,000 child sexual abuse suspects, following years of public criticism and institutional failings in tackling child sexual exploitation.
A new report by His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) has revealed the force has made “significant improvements” in dealing with group-based sexual abuse and related crimes.
According to the 76-page report, GMP is handling ongoing investigations involving 714 identified victims and 1,099 suspects. These are described as “multi-victim, multi-offender” cases, reflecting the complex and organised nature of many of the crimes under investigation.
Michelle Skeer, HM Inspector of Constabulary, said that since 2019, GMP has taken steps to improve how it handles both historic and ongoing abuse cases. “It is clear that the force has, for many years, been trying to provide a better service to those who have or may have experienced sexual exploitation,” she said. “But for some, trust and confidence in the police had been lost.”
The report praised the leadership of chief constable Sir Stephen Watson and his team, noting a cultural shift within the force. Senior officers have made child protection a top priority, personally engaging with staff to reinforce its importance. “Investigating child sexual exploitation is now considered everyone’s business,” the report stated.
GMP is the only police force in the UK with a dedicated Child Sexual Exploitation Major Investigation Team (CSE MIT), formed in 2021.
The unit has around 100 staff and a ring-fenced budget. It applies the same specialist tactics used for tackling serious organised crime, which has already resulted in 42 convictions and over 430 years of prison sentences for offenders.
According to the report, the delay in sharing crucial data from local councils, particularly Manchester City Council, which was criticised for submitting evidence so heavily redacted that some pages contained only a few words.
These delays have hindered investigations such as Operations Green Jacket and Bernese—cases linked to historic abuse in South Manchester, including the death of 15-year-old Victoria Agoglia in 2003.
Manchester City Council said legal restrictions around personal data sharing led to redactions, but it has since introduced a new evidence-sharing process with police, allowing investigators remote access to unredacted documents.
Sir Stephen acknowledged past failures and issued a renewed apology. “I am sorry that when you needed us, we were not there for you,” he said. “To those who are responsible for these repugnant crimes – as is now very apparent – we will pursue you relentlessly.”
A report by Baroness Louise Casey previously found a significant over-representation of Asian men among child sexual abuse suspects in Greater Manchester. While this remains a sensitive issue, Sir Stephen noted it was a “legitimate question” that could be addressed in a future national inquiry.
Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham, who commissioned the review, said he was “confident” the system is now in a stronger place. “Never again will any child here be labelled or dismissed when they come forward to report concerns,” he said. Burnham added that the reforms had sparked a “widespread culture change” across police, councils, and care services.
A separate Ofsted report backed these findings, acknowledging "much good practice" but calling for continued vigilance, especially in how agencies respond to missing children and those at risk of exploitation as they approach adulthood.
The Crown Prosecution Service has been approached for a comment.
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This year’s Diwali event will still see Belgrave Road continue to host what is left of the festival. (Representational image)
THIS year’s annual Diwali celebrations will be stripped back amid public safety fears. Leicester City Council has said there will be no fireworks or stage entertainment as part of major changes announced for the event.
Cossington Street Recreation Ground will also not be used for the festivities, the council has revealed. The green space previously was the location for the main stage and the Diwali Village with its food stalls, funfair rides, fashion and arts. The annual fire garden display was also based there, offering “a peaceful oasis amid the festive excitement”.
The council says major changes are needed to avoid the “potentially dangerous”, “massive” crowds that gather each year for the Hindu festival of light. The celebrations, widely considered to be the largest outside of India, have been branded a “victim of their own success” by the authority.
The changes have been announced after “serious concerns” about public safety were raised by the Diwali safety advisory group, the council said. It claimed the current set-up was branded “no longer fit for purpose” and that “urgent action” needed to be taken. “Several meetings” have since been held to consider options, the authority added.
These included potentially relocating the event to Abbey Park or Leicester city centre. However, the decision was made, following engagement with Belgrave businesses, to keep the celebrations in their historic home.
This year’s Diwali event will still see Belgrave Road continue to host what is left of the festival. More than 6,000 lights will be installed along the Golden Mile and the Wheel of Light will also return this year, the council added.
Assistant city mayor for culture Vi Dempster said: “Unfortunately, Leicester’s annual Diwali festival has become a victim of its own success. We’re being strongly advised by our emergency service partners and crowd control experts that it cannot continue safely in its current format due to the unrestricted and growing crowd numbers that it attracts, and that’s a warning we must take extremely seriously.
“We are absolutely determined that Diwali continues to be part of the city’s festive calendar. We also understand the depth of feeling to see it continue on the Golden Mile where it began over 40 years ago. To do that, we must ensure that it can take place safely. That must be paramount.”
The major changes follow a stripped-back celebration last year after the council decided to cancel the annual light switch-on due to financial difficulties, focusing on just the Diwali Day celebrations itself. The authority said at the time that costs for staging the dual events had skyrocketed from £189,000 in 2018 to a staggering £250,000 in 2023.
Graham Callister, the city council’s head of festivals, events and cultural policy, said: “Diwali has been a real highlight of the city’s festival calendar and attracts thousands of people who come from far and wide to join in the celebrations on the Golden Mile. However, we are now being advised by our emergency service partners and event security providers that we have reached the point where the growing crowds and sheer volume of people attending is causing significant concern about public safety.
“Scaling back on event infrastructure and activity means there will be the additional space needed – and more importantly less congestion – to safely welcome the crowds that want to celebrate on Belgrave Road.”
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Liam Gallagher arrives for the special screening of Oasis documentary "Supersonic"
Liam Gallagher issued an apology after using a racial slur in a now-deleted social media post.
The offensive post appeared just days before Oasis kicked off their reunion tour in Cardiff.
Fans criticised the singer on X, prompting him to clarify it was unintentional.
Oasis will perform over 40 shows globally, starting 5 July in Wales.
Liam Gallagher has apologised for using a racial slur in a post on X, as Oasis reunites for their first tour in 15 years. The singer shared a one-word reply on Monday that included a derogatory term aimed at East Asian people. Though he quickly deleted it, screenshots circulated online, sparking widespread criticism.
In a follow-up post on Tuesday, Gallagher wrote: “Sorry if I offended anyone with my tweet before it wasn’t intentional you know I love you all and I do not discriminate. Peace and love LG x.”
Liam Gallagher accepts Oasis' award for 'Best Album of 30 Years' Getty Images
Racial slur prompts public response ahead of tour
The post, now deleted, triggered a wave of reactions from fans, some calling the language racist. One user replied, “Liam you can’t say that,” to which Gallagher initially responded, “Why.” After further backlash, another fan warned he could get “cancelled,” prompting Gallagher to retort, “Whatever.” These responses only heightened the controversy before his eventual apology.
The term used by Gallagher has long been condemned for mocking East Asian accents and was especially criticised during the pandemic when anti-Asian hate incidents increased globally.
— (@)
Oasis set for comeback after 15-year hiatus
The controversy comes at a pivotal moment for Gallagher. Oasis, the Britpop band he co-founded with his brother Noel, is preparing for a major reunion tour kicking off Friday, 5 July, in Cardiff, Wales. The tour will include over 40 concerts across the UK, Ireland, the US, Canada, and Mexico, running through November.
The band split in 2009 after years of personal tensions, but recent announcements, including an upcoming concert film directed by Steven Knight, have fuelled excitement around their long-awaited return.
Liam Gallagher plays to a sell out crowd at the Universal AmphitheatreGetty Images
Fans react with mixed emotions
While some fans expressed disappointment over the singer’s comments, others welcomed his apology and are focused on the upcoming shows. Gallagher has been active on social media in recent weeks, hyping the tour and interacting with fans, including praising a prankster who trolled Green Day with a cheeky rendition of Wonderwall.
Liam and Noel Gallagher perform together in Cardiff for the first time since 2009 Instagram/oasis
As Oasis returns to the stage, the incident may linger, but it remains to be seen whether it will cast a shadow over one of the most anticipated tours of the year.