Lata Mangeshkar given `Swarbhaskar` award

The award carries a prize of Rs.1,11,161, a memento and citation.

Pune: Melody queen Lata Mangeshkar was honoured by the first ‘Swarbhaskar’ award instituted in memory of Bharat Ratna Pandit Bhimsen Joshi at the hands of well known Kathak dancer Sitara Devi here today.

"Classical music maestro Pandit Bhimsen Joshi has done a great work for Indian classical music. It’s my honour to receive Swarbhaskar award. We could not forget his legendary contribution to Indian classical music," Lata Mangeshakar said on the occasion. The award instituted by Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) carries a prize of Rs1,11,161, a memento and citation. Mayor Mohansingh Rajpal, state forest minister Patangrao Kadam were present at the function. PTI