Quote of the day by Lata Mangeshkar: 'Money follows name and fame, but recognition calls for a huge amount of sacrifice. So, to get something, you...' Nightingale of India's timeless lesson on success and sacrifice

Money, fame and success are often seen as the ultimate goals in life. But according to legendary singer Lata Mangeshkar, they are not the real rewards worth chasing. The Bharat Ratna awardee believed that lasting recognition comes only after years of discipline, dedication and personal sacrifice. Her powerful words continue to inspire students, professionals, artists and dreamers alike, reminding everyone that every great achievement comes at a cost. Even years after she first shared this thought, her message remains just as relevant.

Lata Mangeshkar's quote of the day

During a conversation with HT Cafe in 2013, Lata Mangeshkar was asked what name, fame and money meant to her. Sharing the wisdom she had gathered over decades in the music industry, she said:


"They matter a lot, but I value it with a different approach. I have traversed a very long journey and seen all kinds of phases. So even though I believe money is transitory, it has its own place in life. But what remains after you’re dead and gone is the name you’ve earned. From my experience and understanding, I believe money follows name and fame, while recognition calls for a huge amount of sacrifice. To get something you have to lose something. That’s the rule of life."

What did Lata Mangeshkar mean by this?

Lata Mangeshkar's words carry a simple but powerful message. She believed that people should not spend their lives running after money alone. Instead, the focus should be on becoming exceptionally good at one's work and earning respect through talent, honesty and commitment.

According to her, financial success often comes naturally when a person builds a strong reputation. Money may have an important place in life, but it does not last forever. What stays behind long after a person is gone is the name they have created through their actions and achievements.

She also made it clear that recognition is much harder to earn than wealth. Being truly respected in any profession demands years of dedication, patience and relentless hard work. There are no shortcuts to building a legacy.

Why sacrifice is at the heart of success

One of the strongest parts of Lata Mangeshkar's quote is her belief that life works through trade-offs.

When she said, "To get something you have to lose something. That's the rule of life," she was talking about the choices every successful person must make. Reaching extraordinary heights often means giving up comfort, leisure, distractions and sometimes even personal time.

Whether someone dreams of becoming a musician, athlete, entrepreneur or scientist, excellence requires discipline. There are long hours of practice, constant learning and the willingness to keep going despite setbacks. Her words explain that greatness is never handed to anyone.

A philosophy she lived every day

Lata Mangeshkar did not simply speak about discipline, she lived by it throughout her remarkable career.

Known for her dedication to music, she always recorded songs barefoot as a mark of respect for the recording studio, which she considered a temple. Despite being admired for her near-perfect singing, she once revealed in interviews that she never listened to her own songs after they were released because she would only notice mistakes in her own performance.

That constant pursuit of improvement became one of the defining qualities of her career and matched the values she described in her quote.

The extraordinary journey of the Nightingale of India

Born as Hemalata Dinanath Mangeshkar on September 28, 1929, Lata Mangeshkar went on to become one of the greatest and most influential playback singers of the Indian subcontinent. During a career that stretched across more than eight decades, she earned titles such as the "Queen of Melody," "Voice of the Millennium," and the "Nightingale of India."

She recorded songs in more than 36 Indian languages, along with a few foreign languages, although most of her work was in Hindustani, Bengali and Marathi. Her voice became an inseparable part of Indian cinema and generations of music lovers grew up listening to her timeless songs.

Lata Mangeshkar's contribution to Indian music received recognition at the highest level.

In 1989, the Government of India honoured her with the Dadasaheb Phalke Award. She was awarded the Bharat Ratna in 2001, becoming only the second singer to receive India's highest civilian honour. France also honoured her in 2009 by appointing her an Officer of the National Order of the Legion of Honour, the country's highest civilian award.

During her career, she also received three National Film Awards, 15 Bengal Film Journalists' Association Awards, four Filmfare Best Female Playback Awards before voluntarily stepping away from the competitive category, along with Filmfare Special Awards and the Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award. In 1974, she became the first Indian playback singer to perform at the Royal Albert Hall in London.

She also appeared in the Guinness World Records as the most recorded artist in history before later being replaced by her sister, Asha Bhosle.