Lata Mangeshkar's Caste: A Deeper Look
Origins and Heritage
Well, Lata Mangeshkar, as the name suggests, has origins in the Mangeshi Goa. The Mangeshkar family is a Konkan-based Karade Brahmin, a caste known for its scholars and poets. However, such iconic figures like Lata Mangeshkar are primarily seen as Indians, not confined to any small communities. Even the spiritual heir of Master Deenanath Mangeshkar, Vasantrao Deshpande, was a pan-India personality.
Background and Classification
Lata Mangeshkar is from the Marathi-speaking Bhatia community, which is classified as an Other Backward Class (OBC) in India. Her grandfather was Brahmin, and her grandmother was Gomantak Maratha Devadasi. Her mother was Gujarati Laad. Her mother's tongue is Marathi, reflecting the linguistic diversity within her community.
Caste and Identity
If you read Nasreen Munir Kabir’s authorized biography, Lata deflected the caste question by saying 'I don't know.' This is her way of saying that she doesn't care, she doesn't owe an explanation about her caste. This kind of ignorance regarding one's own caste is not unique; it happens to many individuals from the lower strata of the caste hierarchy. By not giving an honest reply, one resists any caste hegemony that may try to use caste to undermine or despise their talents.
Professional Implications
Castes like Brahmin, Kayastha (Kishore Kumar), Bhatia (Mukesh Mathur), and Brahmin (C. Ramchandran) could have used caste as a weapon to subjugate Lata, jealous of her talents. However, this is illustrated by the marriage between Asha Bhosle and Bhosle, who are both from the Maratha caste, considered a Shudra caste, not Dalit, but Shudra, although Maratha also includes Kshatriyas. This further emphasizes the complex caste dynamics in India.
Historical Context
The historical context also plays a significant role. The constant Brahmanical whitewashing has led to the portrayal of Chatrapati Shivaji as belonging to the upper three-castes, despite historical evidence. Similarly, the use of 'Pandit Deenath' as an honorific by Lata's family masks the caste but reflects Brahmanical norms. The Marathi Samaj has deeply entrenched prejudices, evidenced by their refusal to claim their son, Dr. Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar, despite his significant contributions to society.
Conclusion: A Nation in Ancient Castes
Our countrymen's compounded curiosity around caste-consciousness refuses to let caste die. The Marathi Samaj, in particular, fails to recognize and claim its own son, Dr. Ambedkar, in their galaxy of Marathi Manoos pantheon. This deep-seated antipathy towards caste is a challenge that needs addressing head-on, rather than clinging to it.