Mahesh Kale, a celebrated Hindustani classical vocalist, was awarded the Lata Deenanath Mangeshkar Award 2026 in Pune, recognizing his significant contributions to music. Kale expressed deep gratitude for the honor, stating, 'To get an award that bears such a big name from such a big family, especially for ‘Service to Music’, makes me feel grateful.' He dedicated the award to his mentor, Pandit Jitendra Abhisheki, highlighting the importance of his rigorous training. Kale reminisced about his personal connections with the Mangeshkar family, particularly recalling the influence of Usha Mangeshkar and the encouragement from Hridaynath Mangeshkar. The award not only marks a professional achievement for Kale but also serves as a tribute to the lineage that has profoundly shaped Indian music. He expressed missing Asha Bhosle and Lata Mangeshkar, further emphasizing the emotional weight of the recognition and his commitment to preserving musical traditions.