ANR Award 2009 Presented to Lata Mangeshkar

For the past five years Dr Akkineni Nageswara Rao has been giving an award on his name to the top persons from various fields in film industry. For the year 2009, the committee had chosen the legendary singer Lata Mangeshkar.

Lata Mageshkar was awarded with the ‘Akkineni’ Award on February 1st, 2010. She was felicitated with a garland by Akkineni Nageswara Rao, with Kumkum by Naga Suseela, with a shawl by Chief Minister K Roshaiah, with a memento by T Subbi Rami Reddy, a cheque of Rs 4 lakhs by Akkineni Venkat and Akkineni Nagarjuna and a shield by the central minister Vilas Rao Deshmukh. In this programme, singers Malavika, Pranavi and Rhythm Krishna received the felicitation from Lata ji.

Addressing the gathering Akkineni Nageswara Rao said, “Gaana Kokila Lata Mangeshkar received the the prestigious “Bharata Ratna” award. But that is not sufficient for her. She should be given the Global Ratna award. We are happy to honor such a great singer. When I received the Dadasaheb Phalke award, I was given Rs 1 lakh cheque as prize. While I was receiving that award I got an idea to present an award on my name. So along with that Rs 1 lakh prize amount I donated 50 % of the amount from my 15 years of earnings to this trust because I wanted my successors to continue to run this trust even after my death.”

Speaking further Akkineni said, “I’m very happy to note that Late Mangeshkar saw my film ‘Devadasu’ for 10 times and is my fan. While she said this yesterday night I felt that my life has increased for another 10 years. My only wish is to bless me with good health as long as I live.”

Lata Mangeshkar while speaking, “I’m very happy to receive the award on the name of a legendry actor. I’m a great fan of him. I’ve seen his film ‘Devadasu’ for 10 times. I first saw Sehgal Saheb’s ‘Devadasu’ during my childhood. Later this had come. I sang a song in Telugu for which Dakshina Murthy composed music. I like Telugu singer P Suseela and her songs very much. She is like my sister.”

Vilas Rao Deshmukh said, “Lata Mangeshkar is like my elder sister. She was honoured with India’s most prestigious award “Bharata Ratna” award and she received many National and International awards. I am very proud of such legendary singer who belongs to our state.”

Further speaking Vilas Rao made an announcement by saying, “We are going to launch a huge industry near Mannavaram at Sri Kalahasthi where the dream project of Late Sri YS Rajasekhara Reddy garu is. Through the BHEL company we are donating Rs 5 crore to the recent flood victims of Andhra Pradesh.”

Chief Minister K Roshaiah said, “Akkineni Nageswara Rao is one of those rare personalities who wanted to give recognition to the most talented people in his field in the form of giving award. The value of the award will be known by persons who receive that award and this award belongs to that category. Vilas Rao Deshmukh has clarified to those who were suspecting about the initiation of this NTPC and BHEL project.”