On Ram Navami, a festival that celebrates the birth of Lord Ram , the Navmi day of the chaitra Navratri and the enduring values of devotion and righteousness, Narendra Modi chose to share more than a customary greeting. His post featuring the devotional song “Maay Bhavani” brought a sense of spiritual depth to the occasion, reminding listeners of the quiet power of music rooted in faith.
The song, from the Marathi film Shahbaz Sunbai, belongs to a time when cinema and music were deeply intertwined with cultural and devotional expression. Its composition by Meena Mangeshkar Khadikar carries a sincerity that avoids excess, allowing the essence of devotion to take centre stage. In an era of fleeting soundscapes, such compositions stand apart for their stillness and emotional clarity.
It is, however, the voice of Lata Mangeshkar that celebrates “Maay Bhavani” into something timeless. Her music has long defined the emotional memory of India, moving effortlessly between romance, melancholy, and devotion. In songs of a spiritual nature, her voice often feels less like performance and more like prayer, marked by an almost meditative purity. This quality lends the composition a rare depth, making it especially fitting for a day like Ram Navami, where devotion is both personal and collective.
For authors Rachna Shah and Rhythm Wagholikar, the moment carried a deeply personal resonance. Responding to the Prime Minister’s post, they shared a note that captured both gratitude and memory, offering readers a glimpse into the story behind the song.
Their note is reproduced here in full:
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Dear friends,
It’s so heartwarming to see our honourable Prime Minister Shri. Narendra Modiji post a song on Maa Ambe – Maay Bhavani, on the auspicious day of Ram Navami.
The striking part is that this song is composed by my mother Meena Mangeshkar Khadikar and sung by my aunt Lata Mangeshkar..
We just chatted with Aai and told her regarding this post.
She shared an interesting behind-the-scene story.
This song was originally to be composed by Lata didi herself, however during those days, Didi was overwhelmed with the work load and couldn’t dedicate the time required.
So, she requested her sister Meena to step in and do the needful. Meena Mangeshkar Khadikar was an established composer and took charge and this composition took its birth…
This post by our beloved Prime Minister opened up a floodgate of beautiful memories and with our heartfelt sentiments we stand in gratitude.
Warm regards,
Rachana Rhythm
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What emerges from this reflection is a story of artistic trust and familial bond. The decision by Lata Mangeshkar to pass on the responsibility of composition to her sister reveals not just the pressures of her time, but also the quiet confidence she had in Meena Mangeshkar Khadikar’s musical sensibility. It is in such moments that enduring art often finds its form.
The Prime Minister’s gesture, therefore, does more than revive a song. It reconnects audiences with a legacy, one that spans generations and continues to shape India’s cultural identity. For Rachna Shah and Rhythm Wagholikar, it is a moment of remembrance and gratitude. For listeners, it is an invitation to rediscover a melody that carries both devotion and history within it.
Also Read: Sharda Sinha: A Voice That Became The Prayer of The Soil
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