In a career spanning nearly eight decades, Lata Mangeshkar sang two film songs in Kannada. Both were from Krantiveera Sangolli Rayanna released in 1967.
The song Bellana Belagayitu was in Raag Bhupali and Ellare Iratheero, Endara Bartheero was in folk song format. Lata Mangeshkar’s sisters Usha Mangeshkar and Asha Bhosle have also sung a song each for the film. In fact, the sisters sang the songs for free when they came to know that it was about a freedom fighter.
Lata Mangeshkar’s understanding of the nuances of the northern Karnataka dialect is particularly visible in Ellare Iratheero, which reflects the pangs of separation between a mother and son. But, Bellana Belagayitu became more popular as it was semi-classical in style, said A.L. Nagur, professor, SECAB College in Vijayapura, who has written a book about Kannada classics.
