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Vikas Khanna shared a cherished memory of his bond with Lata Mangeshkar and the Ganesh Chaturthi ritual they observed together.
Lata Mangeshkar died on February 6, 2022. (Photo Source: Instagram)
Celebrity chef Vikas Khanna shared his heartfelt bond with the iconic singer Lata Mangeshkar, reminiscing about how a small act of kindness blossomed into a lasting tradition that left a profound impact on him. On Instagram, he reflected on a cherished memory they shared together.
Khanna first learned of Lata ji’s admiration in 2011, when she watched him on MasterChef India. Enchanted by his humility and warmth, she reportedly said,“Mujhe inn se milna hai. Inn ki smile aur bolne ka andaaz bahut badiya hai.” For Khanna, being acknowledged by India’s Nightingale was nothing short of divine blessing.
Their First Meeting on Ganesh Chaturthi
The first time they met was during Ganesh Chaturthi, a moment Vikas Khanna described as sacred. Sharing his memory, he wrote, “I still remember the first time I met Lata ji. She had seen me on MasterChef in 2011 and said, ‘Mujhe inn se milna hai. Inn ki smile aur bolne ka andaaz bahut badiya hai.’ And then, by divine grace, I met my Goddess on Ganesh Chaturthi. We spoke on the phone often, and during Feed India, she truly stood by me.”
The Promise to Visit Prabhu Kunj Every Year
From that day, Khanna made a vow to visit Prabhu Kunj, Lata ji’s Mumbai residence, every Ganesh Chaturthi. Except during the pandemic, he faithfully flew to India solely to uphold this promise. His ritual was simple yet profound: touching her feet, offering prayers, hearing her voice, and enjoying the modaks served during the puja before flying back abroad. He said, “I had promised her that I would visit Prabhu Kunj every year during the pooja. And I did. Except during the pandemic. I would fly to India just to touch her feet, pray, hear her voice, eat the best modaks… and then fly back. This ritual went on for years, and it has deeply inspired me.”
Preparing Ganesh Chaturthi in New York with Her Blessings
As Vikas Khanna now gears up for the 10-day Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations at his New York restaurant Bungalow, he feels her spiritual presence more than ever. With modaks inspired by legendary chefs, flowers specially flown in from India, and elaborate temple-style decor, he said, “It is as if she is visiting my temple. Life is truly magical.”
Remembering the Nightingale of India
On February 6, 2022, when Lata Mangeshkar passed away at Mumbai’s Breach Candy Hospital due to post-Covid complications, India mourned not just the loss of a prolific singer but also a cultural icon who reshaped the art of playback singing. Her unmatched voice continues to be the gold standard for generations of musicians.
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