Today, September 28, legendary Indian singer Lata Mangeshkar turns 76. But recently, she has started doing what she has not done in all these years.
"I've started listening to my own songs," she confesses shyly. "Earlier, I was extremely cautious -- almost embarrassed --about listening to my voice, so much so that I'd leave the room if I heard my song playing on the television. This created practical problems. When people would congratulate me for this or that song, I'd give them a blank look. Finally, after all these years, I am beginning to be comfortable with my voice."
And which of her songs does she listen to? "I enjoy my non-film songs, particularly the Meera bhajans that my brother[Hridayanath Mangeshkar] composed for me. I don't listen much to my film songs even now. Actually, it all started when I got a music system installed in my car. Now, when I commute, I have time to sit back and relax. Might as we well do so listening to my own voice, don't you think?"
What does she think of the voice that has wowed millions around the world? After some thought, she says, "Average, very average. You may not agree with me but that's how I feel about my singing. I don't think I've achieved even an iota of what the classical greats do in their music."
The legendary classical vocalist Ustad Bade Ghulam Ali Khan had once scolded Lataji sportingly for never singing a wrong note. "Yeh to unki badappan thi. Bhala woh kahan aur main kahan [This is his greatness. I am no match for him]."
If after nearly 60 years of undisputed superstardom, she thinks her ravishing repertoire of songs are 'just average,' then who, according to her, is
"Amitabh Bachchan," comes the prompt reply. "What he has achieved as a human being and an actor surpasses anything else. I really like the way he conducts himself in public. I'm very fond of Bachchan saab and Jayaji [Amitabh's wife]. As a performer, he has no equal. He proved it in Black. I wrote him a letter after seeing Black. I couldn't hold myself back. I've not seen a performance like that."
When told that Mr Bachchan has similar compliments for her, Lataji smiles. "He's being generous. I'm yet to achieve anything worth talking about. There's so much I want to do."
She is currently in the process of recording a new non-film album for her protégé Mayuresh Pai. "And I've recorded two songs for a Bhojpuri film. I love singing in other languages. It makes me feel close to people in other parts of the country, where my Hindi songs may not be that popular," she smiles.
"Life is so short and unpredictable. Look at Sunil Dutt saab. He was god's own child. His death was so sudden. He was my brother," she says.
Is it true that she did not charge any money for any of the songs she sang for Sunil Dutt's films? "It wouldn't be fair to talk about this," she smiles. "There are so many relationships that go beyond monetary considerations. Though I sang Kitne ajeeb rishte hain yahan par in Page 3, I'd like to believe there are many relationships that aren't subject to the vagaries of showbiz."
