Lata getting ready to resume singing

Legendery singer Lata Mangeshkar, who underwent knee surgery at her own hospital in Pune after suffering from chronic arthritis, said she is on her "way to recovery" and looking forward to singing again.

"I wouldn't say I'm completely fit. But I'm on the way to full recovery," 79-year-old Lata said from her home on Peddar Road here.

"Chronic arthritis had done my knees in. I was unable to walk. I was in constant pain. I had to get the operation done as soon as possible. Doctors said my kneecaps had to be replaced. But there were chances that I may not fully recover."

Lata underwent surgery on Jan 18 and got her kneecaps replaced by surgeon Hemant Wakankar in her Pune hospital. She returned her home last week.

"I preferred to stay on in my hospital in Pune because of the number of people who kept inquiring at my residence in Mumbai and Pune. I want to assure them that I'm well and on the way to full recovery. The pain is completely gone. I'd need physiotherapy for another six months. But I haven't felt so good in a long time."

Hundreds of admirers had gathered outside her apartment block when the nightingale returned home.

"I can't run right now. But I can walk and climb stairs, indulge in everyday routine activities that were getting impossibly difficult for me."

Now, with her knee-trouble gone, the singer is getting ready to resume singing.

"I'm still asked to sing and that is a miracle. The good wishes of all my fans, friends and my ancestors and specially my parents has kept me going so far. Really, I'm blessed," said the singing diva