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Posted by: Sharmila-Sweet Nov 18 2008, 09:50 AM

Lata’s fav’s
Prithwish Ganguly
Monday, November 17, 2008 23:59 IST

Amol Kamble / DNA

Lata Mangeshkar has compiled a five-CD-set of her favourite tunes

Lata Mangeshkar—the nightingale of India—is arguably one of the most loved and acclaimed singer. People might adore her songs but do they know who her favourite singers are? Lata has now handpicked some of her favourite tracks sung by some legendary crooners of the industry which are being compiled in a record titled Pasand Meri, Geet Sathiyon Ke.

Confirming the news Lata Mangeshkar says, “I have always liked to hear some of my colleagues like Manna Dey, Mohammed Rafi and also, amongst the new generation singers, I like to listen to Udit Narayan, Alka Yagnik and Kavita Krishnamurthy.”

The album which is being released by Saregama is a collection of five CD’s. The collection will also have her father Master Dinanath Mangeshkar’s Nain So Nain Milaye. Lata has also chosen some other stalwarts like K.L. Saigal, Noor Jehan, Ghulam Ali, Mukesh, S.D. Burman, Jagjit Singh, Mohammed Rafi, Geeta Dutt, Kishore Kumar, Hemant Kumar and Talat Mahmood.

Lata has also picked singers like Manna Dey, her sisters Asha Bhosle and Usha Mangeshkar, Udit Narayan, Kavita Krishnamurthy, Sonu Niigaam and Shankar Mahadevan as her favourites.

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Posted by: Sharmila-Sweet Mar 2 2009, 10:20 AM

All’s well

Lata Mangeshkar is back on her feet after a knee replacement surgery

By Subhash K Jha
Posted On Monday, March 02, 2009 at 02:23:05 AM

Lata Mangeshkar

Lata Mangeshkar was admitted to Pandit Dinanath Mangeshkar hospital Pune for a knee replacement surgery on January 18. She returned to Mumbai on Saturday, February 28. Hundreds of admirers gathered outside her apartment when they heard that she was back. Lata spoke to us from her Peddar Road home, surrounded by close family members. “I wouldn’t say I’m completely fit. But I’m on the way to full recovery.”

Quelling rumours of a serious illness, Lata said, “Chronic arthritis had done my knees in. I was in constant pain and was unable to walk. I had to get the operation done as soon as possible. Doctors told me that my kneecaps had to be replaced. But there were chances of me not recovering fully.” Lata’s kneecap surgery was performed by Dr Hemant Wakankar.

So is she completely mobile now? “I can’t run right now,” she chuckled. “But I can walk and climb stairs, indulge in everyday routine activities that were getting impossibly difficult for me. 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 recovery. The pain is completely gone. I need physiotherapy for another six months. I haven’t felt so good in a long time.”

With her knee-trouble gone, Lata is gearing to get back to singing. She said, “That I’m still being asked to sing is a miracle. All the good wishes of all my fans, friends, and specially my parents, have kept me going so far. I’m really blessed.”

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Posted by: Sharmila-Sweet Apr 27 2009, 09:20 AM

Miracle worker

By Subhash K Jha
Posted On Sunday, April 26, 2009 at 02:11:24 AM

Lata Mangeshkar

Veteran singer Lata Mangeshkar is back on her feet, and how! The melody queen, who underwent a major knee surgery two months ago returned to her profession with recording the Hanuman Chalisa in a matter of a mere four hours. Recording the same takes today’s younger singers several days to complete.

On Tuesday, Lata walked into the studio for a rehearsal of the Chalisa, but ended up finishing the final recording. Laughing off the compliments, Lata says, “Hanuman Chalisa has been done so many times now… I enjoy devotional singing more than any other form.”

Posted by: Sharmila-Sweet May 4 2009, 12:40 PM

Lata to do an 'Ae Maalik'... for old time’s sake
4 May 2009, 0000 hrs IST, SUBHASH K JHA

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Lata Mangeshkar has renewed ties with the family of her ‘Mukesh bhaiya’ by agreeing to sing an anthem for the late singer’s grandson, Neil Nitin, Neil Nitin Mukesh More Pics
in Madhur Bhandarkar’s film Jail.

The Nightingale, you remember, 52 years ago sang Ae Malik Tere Bande Hum in V Shantaram’s Do Aankhen Barah Haath — a song that inspired prisoners in the film and which continues to move Indians even today. Her song for Jail, Daata Sun Maula Sun — written by first-time lyricist Ajay Garg, is on the same lines, said Madhur.

But what has tickled Lata more than this anthem or the fact that she returns to playback singing for Bollywood with it, is that Mukesh’s grandson features in the film. According to the young actor, it was “Lataji who named me Neil”. She was with Mukesh doing a concert in the US when he passed away. As for the anthem, Madhur is hoping Daata Sun... becomes the new-age Ae Maalik... “It has the potential to be hummed and sung in schools and colleges for all times to come,” said the filmmaker.

Strangely, in the last decade Lata has sang just two bhajans that are becoming immortal — O Paalan Haare and Ek Tu Hi Bharosa, both for AR Rahman.

She remains in good form even at 80, otherwise. Just the other day the legendary songstress recorded the entire Hanuman Chalisa in four hours flat, a feat that has taken younger singers days if not weeks to complete. Apparently, she went to rehearse and not record the Hanuman Chalisa... but ended up doing the spiritual number in record time. “I don’t know how it happened,” Lata told BT. “I enjoy devotional singing more than any other form of singing.”

Posted by: Sharmila-Sweet May 4 2009, 12:42 PM

Kishoreda, please let me sing: Lata
3 May 2009, 1605 hrs IST

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“When we were recording together, we did nothing but laugh.” Lata Mangeshkar and Kishore Kumar

NMK: And Kishore Kumar? Was he an extraordinary personality as widely believed?

LM: Where do I start? When we were recording together, we did nothing but laugh. He never stopped. He sometimes even danced at the recording session. One day he told me a story: Dadamoni [Ashok Kumar] and his family lived in Khandwa, Madhya Pradesh. In those days, marriages were arranged, and their mother was going to see a girl for Dadamoni. Kishoreda told his mother he wanted to go with her to see his future sister-in-law. His mother was reluctant but he insisted.

He poured so much oil in his hair that it was dripping down his face. [laughs]. Off he went with his mother to the girl’s place, looking hideous.

Kishoreda then told me what happened next: ‘My parents were talking in the drawing room and I decided to go inside to see the girl because I thought I might be offered rasgullas. When I went inside, the bride-to-be asked about me and was told — I am the boy’s brother. She looked at me and shrieked: ‘O Ma, he’s so dark-skinned and ghastly. If this is how he is, what must his brother look like?’

He told us that they brought the girl out and Kishoreda’s mother asked if she could sing. The girl’s father said yes and then a harmonium was produced. And the girl began to sing. Kishoreda paused, turned to me and said: ‘Lata! Do you know what she sang?’ He then proceeded to imitate the poor girl and sang Vande Mataram completely out of tune. [Both laugh]

NMK: Did he make you laugh when you were actually recording?

LM: Oh yes! Sometimes I arrived late for a recording and he would be sitting there quietly. He would look at me and say: ‘Lata, you’re here! Come, sit down.’ As soon as the music director started to rehearse the song, Kishoreda would look at me, raise his eyebrows and say under his breath: ‘What do you think?’ Meaning the song was no good. He just looked at me and I would burst out laughing. The music director never understood why I was laughing. Kishoreda did all sorts of things. Many times I had to stop him and say: ‘Kishoreda, please let me sing. Otherwise my voice will go from laughing.’

NMK: And Mukeshji. What did you like about his voice?

LM: The reason I liked his singing was because he liked K.L. Saigal. Mukesh Bhaiya had even met him and the first song he sang Dil jalta hai to jalne de, composed by Anilda from Paheli Nazar was a carbon copy of K.L. Saigal’s singing style. [Smiles] Whenever Mukesh Bhaiya and I met, we would talk endlessly about Saigal Sahib — in fact, he was the proud owner of Saigal Sahib’s harmonium which he looked after carefully.

We initially shared an admiration for this great singer but as time passed, I got to know Mukeshji better. He was a very good man. He was very fond of me and I considered him like a brother. In 1951, when he produced Malhar, I sang all the songs. But he lost a lot of money in the film. He later composed the music for Anuraag, and asked me to sing the songs, including a Kabir doha which was used in the title credits.
Jako rakhe saayian maar sake na koi. Baal na baanka kar sake jo jag bairi hoi (No one can ever slay a man under God’s protection. Nor a hair on his head be touched even if the world opposes him).

I still remember singing the doha and suddenly his eyes filled with tears. asked: ‘Mukesh Bhaiya, what is worrying you?’ He said: ‘Didi, when people are faced with problems, only true friends go out of their way to help. Seeing you here today makes me realise just how close you are to me.’
He accompanied me when I went on tour to America. He stood by me in every way. We were like family. In fact, I have been close to very few people in the film industry and Mukeshji was one of them.

Posted by: Sharmila-Sweet May 8 2009, 10:51 AM

I was asked to compose “Anand” Music: Lata Mangeshkar

India’s nightingale Lata Mangeshkar may have ended up as one part of a composer duo - a bit like Shankar-Jaikishan - rather than the singer of 27,000 songs had her brother not dissuaded her.

Unknown to the rest of India, Lata - the country’s greatest female non-classical singer - was quietly composing music for films in her native Marathi language and nearly ended up scoring for Hindi films, according to a new book on her.

Lata says she wanted to keep her identity as a composer a secret but was outed at an awards ceremony when one of the four Marathi films for which wrote the music ended up a multi-award winner.

She even gave herself a male pseudonym, Anandghan.

“No one knew I was composing film music, but then Sadhi Manas went on to win eight Maharashtra state awards, including best director, best singer, best story and best music,” she says in the book, “Lata Mangeshkar, In Her Own Voice”, written by London-based documentary filmmaker and author Nasreen Munni Kabeer.

On the awards night in 1966, Lata said she accepted the best singer award, “and then the best music award was announced.

“I stayed firmly in my seat. The master of ceremonies explained the music composer Anandghan was none other than Lata Mangeshkar. So I was forced to publicly accept the award.”

“At one point I thought Hridayanath and I could become a composing duo like Shankar-Jaikishan, but my brother was not very keen. So, we dropped the idea.

“Some years later, Hrishikesh Mukherjee asked me to compose music for his (1971) film ‘Anand’ but I politely refused. I was not keen on composing any more. I did not really have the time and was so busy recording.

“I told Hrishi-da some time later I was glad I had refused ‘Anand’ because Salil Chowdhury wrote beautiful music for the film.”

The book, which reproduces a series of conversations between Lata and Kabeer, is to be launched in Mumbai May 15.

Posted by: bawlachintu May 21 2009, 01:08 PM

Thanks for sharing SS

Posted by: Sharmila-Sweet Aug 26 2009, 10:23 AM

A divine reunion

Lata Mangeshkar and her brother Hridayanath Mangeshkar team up to recreate the magic of Meera Bhajans

By Subhash K Jha
Posted On Wednesday, August 26, 2009 at 03:18:57 AM

Lata Mangeshkar and her brother Hridayanath Mangeshkar had created history with their devotional album Meera Bhajans in 1968. It was one of the 10 highest selling non-film albums of the country. Four decades after their commendable feat, they are teaming up again to work on an album with the same theme. Incidentally, Lata had refused to sing for Gulzar’s Meera (1979) saying that she has already sung the bhajans for her brother.

Confirming the news, Lata said, “Singing for my brother has always been a big challenge for me. He never lets me off the hook until I get every note right. Every time I sing for him, I break into a sweat because he expects nothing but perfection from himself and me. I feel like I’m going to climb another mountain with my brother. Our Gyaneshwari albums are the most popular Marathi recordings till date. I’ve no idea which Meera bhajan he has chosen this time or what kind of compositions he’s doing. Hridayanath has locked himself away from the world, lost in this new project. I can only wait.”

Hridayanath and Lata Mangeshkar

The wait has just got longer, as the outbreak of swine flu has inadvertently delayed the project. She said, “Hridayanath likes to compose in Pune. He has been in Mumbai because of swine flu. But now he’ll return to Pune.”

Devotional songs have always been a favourite genre with her. “Yes, I’ve done many devotional albums and loved the experience. Mujhe bhajan gaake bahut khushi hoti hai. It’s my favourite genre of singing. No form of singing gives me as much satisfaction as bhajans. I’ve also done a devotional album, Ram Shyam Gun Gaan, with Pandit Bhimsen Joshi,” she said.

Lata Mangeshkar has also sung the Hanuman Chalisa for an album. But she feels that she didn’t give the album her best shot. “I wasn’t singing for a while because of my knee surgery. I even told my composer Mayuresh Pai that I feel I could’ve done better with the Hanuman Chalisa. I think every artiste continues to crave to do better until their death. Once you get smug about your work, you’ve had it,” said Lata.

There was greater pain than the physical one that kept her away from singing for some time. Growing quiet, she finally said, “I don’t like singing today’s film’s songs. Aaj-kal dance ke gaane zyada hote hain. I took up Madhur Bhandakar’s song in Jail because it was special. Otherwise it’s better if I sing less these days. I’ve been singing for so many years. It’s about time I took it easy, don’t you think so? The songs have to be dignified. I can’t be singing item songs. Earlier I wasnt that choosy.”

Posted by: Sharmila-Sweet Aug 26 2009, 10:24 AM

Posted by: Sharmila-Sweet Oct 27 2009, 03:12 PM

Morning raga

Lata Mangeskar’s song in Jail to be played every day during the morning assembly at Tihar jail

By Subhash K Jha
Posted On Monday, October 26, 2009 at 02:37:06 AM

Madhur Bhandarkar and Lata Mangeshkar

Fifty two years after Lata Mangeshkar sang Ae malik tere bande hum, which had inspired prisoners in V Shantaram’s film Do Aankhen Barah Haath, the legendary singer is now ready to inspire the Tihar jail inmates. The jail authorities have decided to make Lata’s song Data sun le maula sun le from director Madhur Bhandarkar’s Jail a daily part of the morning assembly.

Surprised by the song’s fate, Lata says, “Look at the journey that the song Data sun le maula sun le has undertaken.” Recalling an instance from the past, Lata adds, “I remember when Jail’s lead actor, Neil Nitin Mukesh was born we were all sitting at Nataraj Hotel. My mother was also there with me. When Neil’s father Nitin Mukesh gave me three options for his newborn’s name, I chose Neil because he had blue eyes. Neil’s father had made me promise him that one day I would sing in a film starring his son. We never knew it would come true.”

“When Madhur and Shamir (Tandon, music director) approached me they said it was a song similar to Ae maalik,” says Lata. She asked Shamir to send the song to her home, “Nowadays, I like to hear what is offered to me before accepting. I immediately fell in love with Data sun le, but I had to cancel the recording twice before we finally recorded it. Earlier too, Madhur and Shamir had given me a beautiful song, Kitne ajeeb rishte hain yahan par from Page 3. Apart from these, I hardly get any song worth singing these days,” says Lata.

http://www.mumbaimirror.com/article/30/200910262009102602370678111b7996c/Morning-raga.html

Posted by: Sharmila-Sweet Oct 27 2009, 03:22 PM

Lataji is my Saraswati: Rekha Bhardwaj
Indo-Asian News Service
Tuesday, October 27, 2009 (New Delhi)

Her voice is husky and sensual, very different from that of the singing legend Lata Mangeshkar, but playback singer Rekha Bharadwaj still considers the nightingale of India her idol and describes Lata as Saraswati, the Hindu goddess of learning.

"Lataji is my Saraswati. I am very fortunate that I got a chance to see Lataji's recordings and the way she prepares for a song. She is something else. Nobody can be her. We cannot reach that level," said Rekha.

The singer says every song by Lata is a lesson in itself. "Whenever I need to learn something, I listen to her songs and see where she breathes out, where she breathes in, etc," she said.

Rekha feels that such was Lata's talent that she used to lift even mediocre compositions with her voice.

"Even at that time there were some mediocre compositions, but when someone like Lataji used to sing it she used to take it to some other level altogether - such is her talent."

Rekha, who is married to filmmaker-composer Vishal Bharadwaj, has musical roots that lie in Sufi, folk and classical genres. She released her first album Ishqa Ishqa in 2004 to critical acclaim. However, it was her song Namak isq ak in her husband's directorial venture Omkara that really won her accolades.

Posted by: Sharmila-Sweet Oct 28 2009, 09:29 AM

'I miss my fellow singers, their friendship, the most'
Shubha Shetty-SahaMonday, September 28, 2009 2:33 IST

For more than six decades, her voice has captured the hearts and minds of millions of her admirers. Despite all the fame and success, however, Lata Mangeshkar continues to stay away from the glitz and glamour. In an interview with DNA, India's foremost playback singer talks about her brief acting career, her love for singing, and the few close friends she made in the course of her long career.

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Lata Mangeshkar at 80

People like you are irreplaceable. Is there any pressure being such a big icon?
No, not after the love and fame I have received. I have always maintained that all this has been given to me by god and I have nothing to do with this. In our kind of work, one needs to have positive energy.

Does this birthday, turning 80, make you nostalgic?
Yes. Since I was four or five years old, I wanted to learn singing from my father. But I was too afraid to tell him. I sang in front of my mother and she told him to start teaching me.

Baba passed away in 1942. I was 13 and had to start earning. Though I had started singing at the age of nine, I thought I should get into acting. I started acting in Marathi films, mainly produced by Master Vinayak. Three years later, I came to Mumbai and started to learn singing from Aman Ali Khansaab Bhendibazaarwale, while continuing being part of films.

In 1947, after Master Vinayak passed away, I stuck to playback singing. I haven't stopped since.

I have always believed that you must learn to take care of whatever you are blessed with. I think whatever talent god has blessed with me is my poonji. Thoda mehnat kiya hai riyaaz kar ke...

You have sung innumerable songs. Which has given you the most creative satisfaction?
You won't believe it, but I don't listen to my own songs. I mostly listen to bhajans and shloks. I have stuck to one principle. I won't sing an obscene song. It's not that I couldn't sing the cabaret numbers, but I purposely stayed away from them. They wouldn't suit me. I think I couldn't do justice to them the way someone else would have.

I have never sung even Marathi lavanis. I have sung one in V Shantaramji's film, Amar Bhupali. I remember clearly that when Raj Kapoor approached me to sing Main kya karoon ram mujhe buddha mil gaya, I refused to sing it. He convinced me that it would be picturised on a married woman teasing her husband. Till today, I haven't seen the picturisation of that song.

You haven't had much of a personal life. Any regrets?
None. I might have missed a lot in life, but you see, god has given me a lot of name and fame. I don't even know if I deserve it. But for what I didn't get, afsos nahin, dukh nahin. Jo mila hai wahi bahut hai.

There were many rumours about you at the peak of your career...
I believe you have to work hard to be successful. Yes, at times there will be people who appreciate you, but at the same time there will be some who talk ill of you and spread lies. Mere saath yeh sab hua hai. Kaafi logon ne mujhe tang kiya hai, baaton se pareshan kiya hai. I just ignored them. Chhod do. Koi aapka kuch nahin bigad sakta.

But I must tell you that every music director I have worked with gave me immense respect. SD Burman and Naushad treated me like their daughter. Naushad and I used to talk for hours together. SD Burman was like my brother. Even writers like Majrooh Sultanpuri and Shailendra respected me. I also used to tie rakhi to Madan Bhaiyya [music director Madan Mohan] and Shankar-Jaikishen. So along with the brickbats, I also got loads of love.

I make sure that I give immense respect to everyone I come across. I talk with respect even to my servants and driver.

Most of those people you mentioned are not around any longer. Do you feel lonely at times?
Yes, I do. Let me tell you a secret. I miss some of my fellow singers the most. Kishore [Kumar], Mukesh Bhaiyya, Talat Saheb [Talat Mahmood], Hemant Kumar, Geeta Dutt. I really miss them. Geeta was going through a tough phase in life and she would come and discuss her personal problems with me. So did Kishore. He seemed like a funny man, but he had a lot of unhappiness in his life. They would confide in me. I miss their friendship. I will always miss them. We were a close circle of friends.

http://www.dnaindia.com/mumbai/interview_i-miss-my-fellow-singers-their-friendship-the-most_1293456

Posted by: Sharmila-Sweet Oct 29 2009, 12:12 PM

Voice Eternal
Sidharth Bhatia / DNAMonday, September 28, 2009 2:32 IST Email

Mumbai: There are few things argumentative Indians agree wholeheartedly with. That Lata Mangeshkar is India's premier singer is one of them.

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Lata Mangeshkar at 80

True, there are dissenters: many feel she is no longer what she used to be. Others say there are and have been singers as good, if not better. Still others pooh-pooh film music and put it far below classical music. None of these criticisms detracts, however, from the fact that Lata Mangeshkar has given voice to our hopes, aspirations, loves, losses, and every conceivable mood of the human condition. She has done so for generations and she has done it with aplomb and grace.

We have woken up to her songs -- Jaago mohan pyare -- and gone to sleep with them -- Dheere se aaja re akkhiyan mei. We have loved and lost a million times, cried with her, and gone into a romantic swoon with her. She is the one we turn to when we want to get maudlin, and then she cheers us with a hummable song that stays in our heads the whole day.

Her story is well known: coming from a musical family, brought up in relative poverty, singing at an early age to support her family after her father died; making it big after years of struggle, and then, gradually, consolidating her position as India's premier singer. She has sung thousands of songs, the estimates go up to 30,000, but there is no real count.

We love her not merely for her voice, her omnipresence, or her longevity, though those are important. For us, Lata Mangeshkar is much more than that; she represents a simplicity and dignity that is uniquely from this soil and imbued with a sense of Indianness.

She dresses simply in a sari (usually white), with little more than a few discreet bits of jewellery. She keeps a low profile, staying away from the world of glamour that is all around her. She has had her share of quarrels and controversies, but they have never got ugly or cheap. It is this grace that has endeared her to us even more.

Lata's pan-Indianness is also gauged from the fact that she has sung in almost every language as if it were her own. Stung by a remark that her Urdu was shaky, she worked hard on her pronunciation, winning over even her critics. But while being rooted in the Indian ethos, she has loved Western classical and pop music.

As a professional she has fought for the rights of singers. She demanded and got royalties for singers when her contemporaries were satisfied with the fee they got. She has now been heard complaining that the frequent use of her songs on new media have brought her -- and her colleagues -- nothing, which she finds unfair.

Lata Mangeshkar has been with us ever since India became independent. She began singing before 1947 and has been singing ever since. There were doubters who had then claimed that she got her chance because Noorjehan left for Pakistan. But forgive them, they know not what they say. Noorjehan, while undoubtedly a great singer, had serious limitations and, sooner or later, Lata Mangeshkar would have risen to the top on her own steam. Talent -- and, in this case, a divine gift -- cannot be hidden for long. Now, of course, she is an icon, a national treasure and a ratna who belongs to all of us. She is the soul and voice of India.

'I'm glad to have her as a friend'

I didn't know Lataji well in the initial phase of my career. I had heard she was a snob, so I was wary. But one incident changed my opinion. Soon after the 1971 war, many actors and singers travelled to the border area of Bangladesh. I was put up with Nargis and Lataji was staying in the adjacent room with Mala [Sinha]. Our bathrooms didn't have water and we knew that Lataji's did. Both of us hadn't taken a bath for two days, but we were scared to ask her.

Finally, when I asked, she was extremely polite and let me in. Midway through my bath, the water stopped. Lataji quickly got the jawans to bring two buckets of water and carried them herself to the bathroom. After we came back, she invited all of us, including Sunil [Dutt], for dinner. Since then, we are friends, though I am not in constant touch with her.I met her recently a few months back and it seemed like there has been no time gap. God bless her!
-Waheeda Rehman
As told to Shubha Shetty-Saha

'I am awestruck by her talent'
We have worked together for 50 years and I am still awestruck by her talent. She is not a singer, she is a legend. She first sang for my debut film, Dhool Ka Phool. The lori she sang, Tu mere pyaar ka phool hai... still touches me. I don't think any singer in the world could last so long. She still has the same passion in her singing that she did when she started. When she came to sing for my film Veer-Zara, she broke down while singing Tere liye hum hain. She remembered Madanji (Madan Mohan) who had composed the song 35 years ago and couldn't stop crying.

Every song, about 50 of them, she has sung for me has been sung with her heart and soul. She objected to singing certain songs which she thought were not decent. A singer should be given that freedom. I hope she continues singing for many more years to come.
- Yash Chopra
As told to Shubha Shetty-Saha

'She is Saraswati ka vardan for us'
Whatever we are is because of her. She is beyond praise. We wait for her birthday throughout the year, but she doesn't meet anyone on her birthday. I look up to her. She is Saraswati ka vardan for us. She is going to be 80 now and we hope that she lives a healthy and long life.

Though she has achieved so much in life, she has never thrown her weight around. Her nature is such that she continues to help people, advise them, and talk to them with love. I send her flowers on her birthday and take her advice whenever I want to.
-Pyarelal
As told to Chhaya Toshniwal

'Lataji always thinks of others'
Lataji has been like a member of our family and we respect her immensely. To me, she is Didi. I am always moved by the affection she has for our family. I recall vividly the first time I met her. It was at a souvenir shop in Geneva. I deliberately lingered on in the shop until she spoke to a salesperson, just to hear her voice. Little did I know that it would be the beginning of a family relationship.

Our entertainment business, HMV Saregama, has had ties with Lataji since 1946. Her life has been about exploring innumerable possibilities with music as a medium and about inspiring the common man. It is an honour for us to continue to partner with Lataji during her distinguished career as the Nightingale of India.

Recently, I invited her to spend an evening with us at a small gathering. She had severe pain in her knee. Nevertheless, she came. That's Lataji; always doing things for others.
-Harsh Goenka
As told to Riddhi Doshi

Posted by: Sharmila-Sweet Oct 30 2009, 12:48 PM

Lata we love you...

Celebrities reminisce about their first encounters and the time spent working with Lata Mangeshkar, on the occasion of her 80th birthday today.

Waheeda Rahman
I didn't know Lataji well in the initial phase of my career. I had heard she was a snob, so I was wary. But one incident changed my opinion. Soon after the 1971 war, many actors and singers travelled to the border area of Bangladesh. I was put up with Nargis and Lataji was staying in the adjacent room with Mala [Sinha]. Our bathrooms didn't have water and we knew that Lataji's did. Both of us hadn't taken a bath for two days, but we were scared to ask her if we could bathe in her room.
Finally, I mustered courage to go and ask. She was extremely polite and let me in. Midway through my bath, the water stopped and I called out to Lataji to help. She quickly got the jawans to bring two buckets of water and carried them herself to the bathroom. That's when I realised that one shouldn't go by the public perception of a celebrity.
Obviously she can't be too warm and friendly with every person she meets. After we came back from there, she invited all of us, including Sunil [Dutt], for dinner at her place. Since then, we are friends, though I am not in constant touch with her. During the recording of Lamhe, I was told Lataji would be there, so I made it a point to reach the studios to meet her. I met her recently a few months back and it seemed like there has been no time gap. God bless her!
(as told to Shubha Shetty-Saha)

Gulzar
For more than half a century, a lot has been written about Lata Mangeshkar and one has hardly anything to add. Even the highest award of the land, Bharat Ratna, has been conferred on her. We have been waking up and going to sleep listening to her voice since the pre-Independence era. Since the time singers like Noorjehan left, hers is the voice that has ruled our hearts. Need I say more?
(As told to Ranjib Mazumder)

Harsh Goenka
Lataji has been like a member of our family and we respect her immensely. To me, she is Didi. I am always moved by the affection she has for our family. I recall vividly the first time I met her many years ago. It was at a souvenir shop in Geneva. I deliberately lingered on in the shop until she spoke to a salesperson, just to hear her voice. Little did I know then that it would be the beginning of a long family relationship.
Our entertainment business, HMV Saregama, has had ties with Lataji since 1946. Her life has been about exploring innumerable possibilities with music as a medium and about inspiring the common man. It is an honour for us to continue to partner with Lataji during her distinguished career as the Nightingale of India. Recently, I invited her to spend an evening with us at a small gathering. She had severe pain in her knee. Nevertheless, she came. That's Lataji; always doing things for others. Not only is she is a leading light in the film industry, but also an apostle of simplicity.
(as told to Riddhi Doshi)

Yash Chopra
We have worked together for 50 years and I am still awestruck by her talent. She is not a singer, she is a legend. She first sang for my debut film, Dhool Ka Phool. The lori she sang, Tu mere pyaar ka phool hai… still touches me.
I don't think any singer in the world could last so long. She still has the same passion in her singing that she did 69 years ago when she started. When she came to sing for my film Veer-Zara, she broke down while singing Tere liye hum hain. She remembered Madanji (Madan Mohan) who had composed the song 35 years ago and couldn't stop crying.
At this stage of her career, nothing can describe the passion and professionalism she has displayed all these years. All adjectives fall short.
Every song, about 50 of them, she has sung for me has been sung with her heart and soul. She objected to singing certain songs which she thought were not decent and I totally support her. A singer should be given that freedom. I have always allowed her to say no, not that she did many times. Why force her to do something she is uncomfortable with?
Apart from the lori in Dhool Ka Phool, my favourite is Aurat ne janam diya mardon ko from Sadhana. I hope she continues singing for many more years to come.
(as told to Shubha Shetty-Saha)

Pyarelal
Whatever we are is because of her. She is beyond praise. We wait for her birthday throughout the year, but she doesn't meet anyone on her birthday. I look up to her. She is Saraswati ka vardan for us. She is going to be 80 now, but we hope she continues to live longer.
Though she has achieved so much in life, she has never thrown her weight around. Her nature is such that she continues to help people, advise them, and talk to them with love. I send her flowers on her birthday and take her advice whenever I want to.
(as told to Chhaya Toshniwal)

DNA

Posted by: Sharmila-Sweet Nov 3 2009, 11:24 AM

Daata Sun Le (Jail)

http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/broadband/video/Movie-Promos/egwE6f61/3/Daata-Sun-Le-Jail.html

Posted by: Sharmila-Sweet Nov 13 2009, 02:45 PM

Composer Jatin salutes the incomparable Lataji.

Jatin, who with his brother Lalit, composed one of her memorable numbers in Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge, sings his favourite Lata Mangeshkar songs, including Tujhe Dekha Toh Yeh Jaana Sanam.

I met Lataji for the first time in the mid-1970s. I was seven or eight years old. My brother Lalit, sister Vijeta Pandit and I had gone to Laxmikant-Pyarelal's studio to sing a chorus with Lataji. I don't remember the film's name, but it was a children's song. I sang with Lataji for the first time.

I was a big fan of hers and always dreamt of making her sing for me some day. When we got Raju Ban Gaya Gentleman, the producer asked us to approach Lataji to sing a song for the film.

I took my father Pandit Pratap Narayan to meet Lataji. He knew her; he had taught her brother Hridaynath Mangeshkar.

I explained to Lataji that a new boy would be acting in the film opposite Juhi Chawla. Lataji said she would sing the song, but wanted to listen to the tune. In the end, she did not sing the song as she was out of town during the recording. Alka Yagnik sang it instead.

Two years later, in 1994, when we were composing the score for Dev Anand's Gangster, Devsaab asked us which singer we wanted for the song, Maine Pyaar Kisi Se Kiya Kyun Kiya Mujhe Kya Pata, to be picturised on Mink. Lalit said Lataji.

Devsaab immediately called Lataji and asked her to sing for the film and she obliged. That was the first time we got Lataji to sing for us. We did another song with Lataji for Gangster, and later did Devsaab's Censor with her singing a song in it as well.

We got close to her only after Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge. Lataji was completely involved in that project. She had also become familiar with our working style.

In an interview she did then, Lataji said 'Jatin-Lalit are this decade's intelligent composers'. That was the biggest honour we got from her. It has been our privilege to work with her.

There is a huge difference between Lataji's journey and ours. She has been working since the 1940s, and has worked with many composers. That's why we were nervous initially. How would we make her sing?

But by the time Dilwale... happened, we developed a good friendship with her. She would joke with us -- she has a great sense of humour. She's very mischievous, but her jokes are all clean ones.

Yashji (Chopra) would order food from Gaylords (a restaurant in south Mumbai). She would always ask us to eat with her, and want to order new dishes. She loves Chinese food. She was very caring.

Lataji would talk about her struggle in the industry. But I will not mention that now because this is her birthday and a happy time, not the time to discuss sad stories.

She would tell us how recording songs earlier used to take a lot of time, that it is faster now, but not easy for her. I think recording those days was tougher because they used to record the whole song at one go. Nowadays we record the song in parts, and then mix it.

Before singing a song, she always has Milan supari. She does not bite it, she just has the juice.

When we were recording Tujhe Dekha Toh Yeh Jaana Sanam from Diwale..., we were not getting the aalap right. It was getting late and Lataji was very tired.

She asked me to use one of the recordings she had done earlier in the evening. I requested her for one more recording. She was exhausted, but she agreed and gave her best shot.

Yashji and Pamji (Pamela Chopra, Yash Chopra's wife) and Sanjeev Kohli (the late composer Madan Mohan's son) were present. They were very happy.

When she finished, I touched her feet and apologised. She said nice work is only done through persistence. I think I pushed Lataji a lot that day.

As told to Patcy N

rediff.com

Posted by: Sharmila-Sweet Nov 16 2009, 10:21 AM

God wanted me to sing: Lata
Subhash K Jha , MUMBAI MIRROR 28 September 2009, 08:52am IST

How do you define the journey?
I feel God has sent me to earth to sing. I started singing when I was five, but I don’t think I’ve worked as hard as many other people.

Why do you say you that?
After 1947 when I started playback singing, the work never stopped. Before that it wasn’t easy. I used to travel by train from Grant Road to Malad and then save money by walking instead of taking a tonga to the recording studios. I thereby saved 50 paise to Re 1 which I used to buy vegetables for my family. I was the sole bread-earner after our father passed away.

That must have been really tough on an adolescent girl.
I missed out on my childhood. I had to work hard, but I was immediately given a place in playback. One of the earliest composers to support me was Master Ghulam Haider. When he was told that my voice wouldn’t suit the heroine in a Dilip Kumar saab starrer Shaheed, he gave me songs in Majboor. Then other composers like Anil Biswasji, Khemchand Prakashji and Naushad saab came forward to sign me. From 1947 onwards there was no looking back.

There has never been a rough patch in your 65-year-long career?
I’m blessed. Nowadays I’ve almost stopped singing film songs but I enjoy singing and I continue to do the work I’m comfortable with like the recent Hamuman Chalisa and my forthcoming project with my brother. When I look back I see nothing I’d like to change.

What about your infamous rift with Mohd Rafi?
I’ll tell you what happened. We had a Musicians’ Association in the 1960s . Mukesh bhaiyya, Talaj Mehmood saab had started a campaign for artistes to get royalty so that they would have a comfortable old age. Main to leti thi royalty but I also wanted other artistes to get it. Rafi saab was instigated into opposing my campaign. In a meeting among musicians he said, ‘We get money for what we sing from producers and that’s the end of what we get.’ When he was asked his opinion Rafi saab turned to Mukesh bhaiyya and said, ‘I guess this Maharani here will say whatever has to be said.’

He meant you?
Yes. I said, ‘Of course I am a Maharani. But why are you calling me that?’ He said in front of everyone at the meeting that he won’t sing with me. I turned around and said, ‘Yeh kasht aap kyon kar rahe hain? Main hi nahin gaaongi aapke saath.’ I stormed out of the meeting and called up every music director to inform them that I would thereafter not sing with Rafi saab. We didn’t sing together for almost three years.

What about the alleged differences between you and your sister Asha Bhosle?
We’re sisters. The fights were because of her husband who was against me.

Composers gave all the heroines’ songs to you and all the supporting actresses’ songs to Ashaji ...
Not always. What about so many films where only Asha sang all the songs? In fact OP Nayyarji worked only with her. Even some of Burman dada’s scores had only Asha’s vocals.

That’s because you and SD Burman had a fight.
I didn’t sing for him for 14 years. Someone had caused mischief. Burman dada said, “I won’t have Lata sing my songs.’ I said, ‘I won’t sing for you.’ Asha sang all the songs for Burman dada during that period, even for Waheeda Rehman who insisted on me singing for her. Then one day out of the blue, Burman dada phoned me and said he wanted me to sing Mora gora rang lai le and Jogi jab se aaya tu aaya mere dware in Bandini. It was his son RD who brought us together. I remember Burman dada specifically told me that Mora gora rang was written by a promising new poet, Gulzar.

Who was your favourite composer?
I liked singing for Salilda (Salil Chowdhury) because his compositions were very challenging. I also loved singing for Sajjad Husain saab, then definitely SD Burman dada and RD. But in my opinion the biggest achievement was by Shankar-Jaikishan. With Raj Kapoor’s Barsaat they changed the way we looked at playback singing.

At one time you were accused of indulging in a melodious monopoly?
Once I was even asked if I tampered with the equipment during other singers’ recordings. Bataiye main kyon aisa karun? I never bothered with what other singers were doing. When Runa Laila came to India for the first time, I went to her first recording and everybody said I was just indulging in dikhawa, that in fact I had gone to see how she sang. Runa Laila met me with lots of affection. Later she too was poisoned against me. Even some male singers accused me of trying to stop them from singing.

Which heroines did you enjoy singing for?
Nargis, Meena Kumari, Madhubala, Nutan. I’d modulate my voice according to their personality.

Among today’s actresses for whom do you enjoy singing for?
I like Rani Mukerji and Kajol but I miss the camaraderie that I shared with the earlier heroines. I miss that mahaul. I really miss Kishore Kumar, also Rafi saab, Mukesh bhaiyya, Shankar-Jaikishan and Madan bhaiyya who fought with me when I couldn’t be with him for raksha bandhan. That sense of apnapan is gone.

Any unfulfilled dreams?
I wish I had given more time to learning classical singing. Lekin jo hua woh bahut hi achcha hua. What I want is that future generations of Mangeshkars keep my father’s legacy alive. My niece Radha and nephew Baijanth are singing well. I wish they make a name for themselves.

Do you miss having your own children
Not at all. My siblings’ children are mine.

Posted by: Sharmila-Sweet Dec 2 2009, 10:31 AM

French are a class act: Lata Mangeshkar
SUBHASH K JHA 1 December 2009, 06:23pm ISTText
Lata Mangeshkar

God continues to shower largesse on me, the Nightingale says on receiving the Legion d’Honneur. Lata Mangeshkar More Pics

She has won every award worthy of her stature including the highest civilian honour, the Bharat Ratna, in our country. Yet, when the French displaying impeccably good taste as always decide to confer their highest cultural award the Officier de la Legionne d’Honneur on Lata Mangeshkar, she humbly bows to another acknowledgement of God’s generosity.

“I don’t know why God continues to shower his largesse on me when I’ve reached an age when I’ve received more love and honour than any human deserves. But the French are a class act. And I feel doubly honoured to be chosen by them.” Lata will be getting the award at an event at a suburban hotel in Mumbai on December 2. “It would be part of the French Film Festival being held next week. They’ve sent me some invites which I’ve given to people very close to me. The rest of the film industry I’ve no idea about. I know I’ve the industry’s blessings, though.”

Among the invitees to witness Lataji’s French honour, Amitabh Bachchan is also expected to attend, though the premiere of his home production in on the very next day (December 3).

Earlier, the Big B received the same award at a function in Delhi last year, though he was conferred the award after Lataji.

Says the Nightingale, “Actually, I got this French honour three years back. But I was in no condition to receive it. I was actually on drips when I was informed about the award. Now when I had completely forgotten about it they called to say they’re giving me the award on December 2. I thought they had forgotten about it too,” she laughs her still-girlish laughter, and adds, “Actually I think it was my Rakhi-brother Shivaji Ganesan, who was the first Indian artiste to be given the Legionne d'Honneur. Then came me and Amitabhji.” Must say the French have good taste.

Laughing at the observation, Lataji says, “People say recognition has no meaning beyond a certain stage in one’s growth as an artiste. I say it’s never too late to be told people love you.

Attached image(s)

Posted by: surhall Dec 3 2009, 04:34 AM

hi
lata ji interview is there in my posting ,
dhall

Posted by: Sharmila-Sweet Dec 3 2009, 11:34 AM

Lata Mangeshkar honoured with the 'Insignia of Officer de la Legion d'Honneur'

See all pix here:

http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/stills/partiesnevents/Lata_Mangeshkar_honoured_with_the_'Insignia_of_Officer_de_la_Legion_d'Honneur'/index.html

Posted by: Sharmila-Sweet Dec 11 2009, 11:48 AM

Lata Mangeshkar : Veer Savarkar Did Not Get His Due
- Planet Bollywood Special Correspondant

Mumbai, Dec 10 (PTI) Melody queen Lata Mangeshkar has lamented that freedom fighter Vinayak Damodar Savarkar has not got the respect he deserved in independent India.
It is 100 years since Savarkar penned the popular poem "Ne majsi ne parat matrubhoomila, sagara pran talmalala", extolling the sea to take him back to the motherland.

Lata's brother Pandit Hridaynath Mangeshkar composed the music and the legendary singer lent her voice to the very popular composition.

Talking to a Marathi daily, Lata recalled that when the tunes were being composed, Tatya (Savarkar) was alive. "I went to him with the invitation. But, since he was unwell, he was not able to make it to the function," she said.

Lata said she has had the opportunity to sing many of his compositions. "The lyrics aroused patriotic fervour. They were inspirational not just to Maharashtrians, but to all Indians," she said.

Posted by: Sharmila-Sweet Feb 3 2010, 11:36 AM

Lata Mangeshkar wins Pride of India from Hyderabad
IndiaGlitz [Tuesday, February 02, 2010]

Singing legend Lata Mangeshkar was recently honoured with the ‘Pride of India- Kala Saraswathi’ Music Award in Hyderabad. The award was felicitated to the noted singer by Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister K Rosaiah.

Mangeshkar was reported to have bagged the award at a ceremony on Sunday by a city-based cultural organisation - Andhra Pradesh Kala Vedika - in association with the state government.

After receiving the award the Nightingale stated, “I am thankful for the love and affection of Telugu people. I want to come back to Hyderabad and perform once.”

Besides the award, Lataji was awarded with a cash prize of Rs. 15 lakh, a replica of Charminar, a Veena and ‘Swarna Kankanam’.

Incidentally, before the event the legendary singer experienced a sad incident. Lataji reported to have been quite upset when she found out her purse missing on Sunday morning in Tirumala. Mangeshkar was there on Saturday to participate in the TTD's Nada Neerajanam. The purse said to had contained cash, credit cards and flight tickets to Mumbai via Hyderabad.

According to sources, the TTD officials had been indifferent to Mangeshkar’s secretary and family members when they approached them for help. The officials were said to be busy with the chief minister's visit then. With help coming from no TTD officials, members of the entourage finally contacted the TTD executive officer, Mr I.Y.R. Krishna Rao, who came to their rescue and arranged duplicate flight tickets.

Attached image(s)

Posted by: Sharmila-Sweet Feb 24 2010, 09:24 AM

Lata sings for Zeenat after 25 years
Deepali Dhingra, TNN, Feb 24, 2010, 12.00am IST

You would be excused for thinking that Zeenat Aman, the first Miss India to crossover from modelling to films, is living in the past.

The actress who gave ‘sexy’ a new meaning in the 70s and 80s with films like Hare Rama Hare Krishna, Manoranjan, Shalimar and The Great Gambler, is not just making a comeback to Bollywood in a substantial role in Sanjay Sharma’s Dunno Y... Na Jaane Kyun, but she’s also performing her evergreen number Aap Jaisa Koi from Qurbani and re-uniting with her co-star Kabir Bedi after 38 years.

Amidst all these reports also comes the news that songstress Lata Mangeshkar — who has sung such lovely numbers for Zeenie baby as Yashomati Maiyya Se Bole Nandlala, Panna ki Tamanna Hai, Main Na Bhoolungi and Satyam Shivam Sundaram, has lent her voice once again for the actress, apparently after a gap of almost 25 years, the last film being Yaadon ki Kasam in 1985. Says music director Nikhil who managed to convince Lata to sing for the film, “She’s sung the title track of the film. I hummed the tune of the song for her and she immediately agreed to do it. Of course, she was extremely happy to know that the song will be picturised on Zeenat and went into a nostalgic mode while speaking to me.”

The actress, on her part too, says Nikhil, was overjoyed when she heard about Lata singing for her once again. “When legends meet, history is created and that’s what is happening now,” adds Nikhil.

Posted by: Sharmila-Sweet Feb 26 2010, 10:24 AM

Lata Mangeshkar to croon for Zeenat after 25 years
IndiaGlitz [Thursday, February 25, 2010]

The queens are getting together after 25 years. The golden voice of Bollywood nightingale Lata Mangeshkar will again feel the ears with her melody as she croons for the yesteryears glam queen Zeenat Aman.

Lata Mangeshkar had lent her melodious voice for Zeenat in her most memorable songs in ‘Satyam Shivam Sundaram’, ‘The Great Gambler’, ‘Hare Rama Hare Krishna’ etc.

The last time she sang for Zeenat was way back in back in 1985 in the film, ‘Yaadon ki Kasam’.

After 25 years, Lata will croon the actress very popular “Aap Jaisa Koi’ from ‘Qurbani’ in Sanjay Sharma’s ‘Dunno Y... Na Jaane Kyun’. The movie also unites Zeenat with her co-star Kabir Bedi after 38 years.

Posted by: Sharmila-Sweet Mar 9 2010, 11:52 AM

Lata Mangeshkar gets a surprise call from Aamir Khan
By: Subhash K Jha Date: 2010-03-09 Place: Mumbai

Aamir Khan has known Lata Mangeshkar since his childhood when she would visit his home to meet his father (the late Tahir Hussain). But the bonding between the two grew really strong when she praised Aamir for his singing in Aati Kya Khandala, observing that he held his sur right to the end of the song.

Give and take
After the Khandala song, Lata invited Aamir home and gifted him an expensive watch. Aamir, on his part, got her a shawl from Kashmir while shooting in the Valley for Sarfarosh. For Lagaan, he insisted she sing a bhajan which she did free of cost. Over the years, they've stayed in touch.

Lately, Aamir found no time to connect with the Nightingale, so much so that she confessed on Thursday to a mutual friend that Aamir had not been replying to any of her cards, calls and letters. The friend promptly conveyed the Nightingale's distress to Aamir who immediately decided to set things right.

He called her. Says Lata, "Aamir didn't have my new number. He sought out my number and then called. He explained how busy he had been travelling out of the country."

The singer had been planning to visit Aamir's place since his father passed away but was hesitant due to the lack of communication with his side. But now as the catchphrase goes, 'Aal Izz Well' between them. Aamir will soon be arranging a special screening of 3 Idiots for her.

Whatta film!
Adds Lata, "I love Aamir's cinema. What a film Taare Zameen Par was! Aamir told me he plans to take the whole year off now to produce films. I advised him not to lay off acting for such a long time. Public memory is so short." Lata is aware that her name is mentioned in 3 Idiots among the icons of our times.
Aamir will screen the film very shortly for the Mangeshkar family.

Posted by: Sharmila-Sweet Mar 10 2010, 02:35 PM

When Dilip Kumar made fun of Lata Mangeshkar
Much has been written about Lata Mangeshkar.

Her incredible voice has won her many fans and admirers. One of them is Nasreen Munni Kabir, a British television producer and creator of documentaries like Movie Mahal, In Search Of Guru Dutt, How to Make it Big in Bollywood and The Inner and Outer World of Shah Rukh Khan.

Her most recent book, Lata Mangeshkar... In Her Own Voice, is a book which she told rediff's Patcy N she was only too happy to write.

As we celebrate Lataji's 80th birthday on September 28, we bring you fascinating excerpts from the book:

Nasreen Munni Kabir: Isn't there a famous incident in which Dilip Kumar commented on your Urdu pronunciation?

Lata Mangeshkar: I must tell you the story. One day (composer) Anil Biswas, Yusufbhai (Dilip Kumar) and I were travelling to work together on the train. This was in 1947 or '48. In those days, Yusufbhai was able to travel by train as no one really recognised him!

We were sitting in a compartment and Yusufbhai asked who I was. Anilda replied: 'She is a new singer and sings well. You'll like her voice when you hear her.' They were chatting together and Yusufbhai asked him. 'Where is she from?' 'She is Maharashtrian.'

'But their Urdu pronunciation isn't correct and in their singing you can smell daal-bhaat' (implying a Marathi accent would come through in the pronunciation in Urdu). I felt terribly hurt hearing him say such a thing.

I knew the composer Mohammed Shafi. He was an assistant to Anil Biswas and (legendary composer) Naushadsaab, and a few days later, I told him I wanted to learn Urdu so I could pronounce it correctly.

He found me a maulana, a man called Mehboob, who taught me Urdu for a short while. When I speak, my Urdu isn't very good, but when I sing I make sure there are no flaws in my diction.

Excerpted from Lata Mangeshkar... In Her Own Voice, by Nasreen Munni Kabir, Niyogi Books, with the publisher's permission, Rs 1,489. Buy the book here.

http://movies.rediff.com/slide-show/2009/sep/25/slide-show-1-excerpts-from-lata-mangeshkar-in-her-won-voice.htm

Posted by: Sharmila-Sweet Mar 10 2010, 02:38 PM

This book of conversations is the closest you'll come to probably knowing Lata Mangeshkar [ Images ]. Given a choice, would you rather hear Lata Mangeshkar sing, or talk?

While that's hardly a debatable question -- especially given that Mangeshkar's voice, like Sachin Tendulkar's [ Images ], is thin, therefore less melodious, or even resonant, when she's talking -- London-based documentary filmmaker Nasreen Munni Kabir, who did just that in a six-part documentary series for Channel 4, now several years later, with additional interviews, has converted it into a book in which you can read the singer as she talks about her life and songs in her own voice.

It's the closest you'll get to her autobiography, minus any personal controversies -- in Mangeshkar's case, her relationship with Raj Singh Dungarpur [ Images ] -- but plenty of professional ones, which she snuffs out with all the dignity, and simplicity, that comes with being India's [ Images ] singing diva for over six decades.

Born in a large house in Sangli, where her father ran a theatre company, and where she began to learn music, with her father's grudging approval, and with whom she sang as a child, Mangeshkar confesses to "making excuses" to get away from her daily tutoring.

"I was very young and preferred playing," she recounts, "I pretended to have a headache or stomach ache," till her father told her, "Always remember -- whether a guru or father is teaching you -- when you sing you must think to yourself you will sing better than him. Never think how can I sing in his presence? Remember this. You must excel your guru."

It was a lesson that has stayed with her all her life. "I have never forgotten Baba's words," she tells Kabir. Lata Mangeshkar...in her own voice is fascinating because the bulk of the book is in the form of an interview, conducted not over days or weeks but over years.

"Film music wasn't hugely appreciated at home," remembers Mangeshkar, "And my father was a conservative man. He was strict about the way we dressed, we could never wear powder or make-up. We couldn't go out freely. Baba didn't like us going out late at night to watch plays, not even his own productions."

It was ironic, therefore, that as the eldest, soon after the family fortunes turned penurious, the Sangli mansion was auctioned, and her father died, she would assume the financial responsibility by becoming an actress in, first, Marathi and, later, Hindi cinema.

"I had no choice," she confesses, simply, but "I never liked it -- the make-up, the lights. People ordering you about, say this dialogue, say that dialogue. I felt so uncomfortable."

Fortunately, her training in classical music and her disciplined voice started to fetch her playback assignments, but it would be a few years before the song that established her reputation -- Aayega aanewala from Mahal -- came her way, and even then it was touch and go.

"There was a lot of discussion about whether we should re-do it or replace it," she recalls, though "when the film was released, it was the first of Mahal's songs to become popular."

While she remembers with fondness the camaraderie that bound Bombay studios and sets together, Mangeshkar seemed to be forever working. "I worked hard," she says, "recording songs from morning to night. Running from one studio to another."

As a result, "I ended up going hungry all day because I didn't even know recording studios had canteens and I could buy something to eat or get some tea. I often went without food and water for the whole day."

In the fifties though "I can't say my financial situation was good, but neither was it bad, because I had a lot of work" and what with rehearsals, and gaining the studios only when the day's shooting schedule was over, "we went onto the studio floor and recorded through the night. The place was full of dust, the lights were still burning hot and it was sweltering. We couln't use the fans because of the noise they made," she reminisces. "I have recorded so many songs in difficult and trying conditions."

Those were times when, while singing duets, "both singers used the same microphone. I would stand facing the mike and the other artist would stand near me, leaving a little space between us. I had a big problem when singing with Hemant Kumar. Because he was much taller than me, I needed to use a small box or stool to stand on and sing," or when recording when she had high temperature "I fainted at the end of the recording", though, as Kabir notes of the song Tu ganga ki mauj hai her voice doesn't have a trace of being unwell.

While she comments about colleagues and friends in the industry, what's even more revealing are facets of Mangeshkar's personality that allow a glimpse behind her usually formidable façade -- such as learning flawless Urdu diction when criticised by Dilip Kumar [ Images ] for her pronounciation, or that "I like listening to Mozart [ Images ], Beethoven [ Images ], Tchaikovsky [ Images ] and Chopin [ Images ]. I have many Western classical music albums," and among her favourite singers are "Nat King Cole [ Images ], the Beatles, Barbra Streisand [ Images ] and Harry Belafonte [ Images ]" and she professes to also "like the Egyptian singer Oum Khalthoum [ Images ] and the Lebanese singer Fairouz [ Images ]".

These, her tiffs with Mohammad Rafi [ Images ] "over royalties" and Raj Kapoor [ Images ] when he changed the composers for Satyam [ Get Quote ], Shivam, Sundaram, her quarrels with Shammi Kapoor [ Images ], her fondness for mimickry, her cars (the first, a grey Hillman [ Images ], and later a Chevrolet [ Images ], a Chrysler [ Images ] and second-hand Mercedes [ Images ] and the gift, recently, of a new Mercedes by Yash Chopra [ Images ] for singing for Veer Zaara [ Images ]), her dislike of cigarette smoke but love of diamonds ("and emeralds too"), as well as interest in photography (beginning with a Rolleiflex [ Images ] she bought for Rs 1,200), her passion for cricket, and her visits abroad when "I even saw the great Marlene Dietrich [ Images ] singing on stage. I will never forget her in the excellent Witness for the Prosecution. I also saw Ingrid Bergman [ Images ] in the play The Constant Wife", and most of all her critical view of herself, make this a remarkable book.

"I have always depended on myself," says Mangeshkar, "In that sense, I am a self-made person. I have learned how to fight. I have never been scared of anyone. I am quite fearless."

Who would have thought that of the frail little person who once bought Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru [ Images ], along with the rest of the country, to tears?

LATA MANGESHKAR in her own voice
Conversations with Nasreen Munni Kabir
Publisher: Niyogi Books
Pages: 268
Price: Rs 1,500

http://movies.rediff.com/report/2009/may/19/lata-mangeshkar-in-her-own-voice-review.htm

Posted by: pawan1234 Mar 14 2010, 07:31 AM

song :- tota tota [attachmentid=318705]
movie :- first love letter.
Singer :- lata mangeshkar.
Bit rate :- 192 kbps

Posted by: pawan1234 Mar 15 2010, 04:14 PM

song :- o radhatere bina [attachmentid=318831]
movie :- radha ka sangam
Singer :- lata mangeshkar.
Bit rate :- 192 kbps

Posted by: pawan1234 Apr 4 2010, 09:07 AM

song :- main tere dushman 03:45 [attachmentid=320705]
movie :- nagina
Singer :- lata mangeshkar.
Bit rate :- 192 kbps

Posted by: Sharmila-Sweet May 3 2010, 09:59 AM

Golden memories

Lata Mangeshkar is set to create history with a rendition of Bahu asota sundara 50 years after she first sang it on Maharashtra Divas

By Subhash K Jha
Posted On Saturday, May 01, 2010 at 04:05:11 AM

It wasn’t only Ae mere watan ke logon that moved Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru to tears when Lata Mangeshkar sang the patriotic composition in front of him in 1962 in Delhi.

Two years before that, on the occasion of Maharashtra Divas in Mumbai, Nehruji was equally moved when he heard her sing Bahu asota sundara sampan ki mahaan. Half a century later, again for Maharashtra Divas celebrations, Lata Mangeshkar will be singing the same song, this time at the Shiv Sena Bhavan.

“I still remember Pandit Jawaharwal Nehru had come for the first celebration of Samyukta Maharashtra (United Maharashtra) 50 years ago on May Day,” said Lata taking time off between rehearsals a day before the event. “Was I nervous singing in front of him? When I’m singing, I forget the world around me.”

When she was asked to sing the song for May Day this year, Lata, who tends to forget the lyrics and tunes of even her most popular numbers, recalled every word of the song.

“It’s true that I have limited capacity to remember my numbers,” she laughs. “When people come and rave about this song and that song sung by me, I smile politely, clueless about what they are so gung-ho about. But this song, I remember in all its glorious detail, maybe because of the strong historical association with the birth of an independent Maharashtra and the struggle behind it.”

It has been a truly hectic month for the 81-year-old singing legend. On her father’s death anniversary on April 24, Lata gave the Pandit Dinanath Mangeshkar Puraskar to Kajol.

Says the legendary songtress, “Among contemporary actresses, Kajol has always been my favourite. We wanted to honour her with the award in my father’s memory because she is so spirited, natural and no-nonsense. Quite like what I used to be when I was young.”

But aren’t Kajol and Ajay Devgan known to be fierce Asha Bhosle loyalists?

Lata dodges the question and says, “I don’t know about that. But Kajol gives me a lot of love and respect. I’ve sung some of my best songs for her aunt Nutan and mother Tanuja. And I also sang for Kajol in Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge. Maybe I’ll sing for Kajol’s daughter as well.”

http://www.mumbaimirror.com/article/30/20100501201005010405108927e527081/Golden-memories.html

Posted by: Sharmila-Sweet May 7 2010, 12:23 PM

Lata-Shankar's Ode To 'Maharashtra Day'

http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/broadband/video/Parties-and-Events/NVZqRm79/3/Lata-Shankar-s-Ode-To-Maharashtra-Day.html

Lata Mangeshkar and Shankar Mahadevan enthralled the crowd with their performances on 'Maharashtra Day'. Also present were politicians Bal Thackeray, Uddhav Thackeray and eminent historian Babasaheb Purandhare

Posted by: Sharmila-Sweet May 25 2010, 03:01 PM

The men who fascinate Lata
Subhash K Jha , May 23, 2010, 12.00am IST

Lata Mangeshkar tracks celluloid heroes and tells Subhash K Jha what she loves about them...

Amitabh Bachchan
I don’t know where to start when it comes to Bachchan saab. Jiss qadar woh zor se wapas aaye ... amazing! (I marvel at the way he bounced back after severe setbacks.) When it comes to perfection as an artiste, he’s 110 per cent perfect. Give him any role, and he slips into it effortlessly. I’ve never seen him repeat himself. He made me cry in Baghban. I recently saw Black and can’t get over his performance. Kamaal ke actor hain ... (He’s a fabulous actor). And he sings well too! I’ve listened carefully to Holi khele and Tu kahan main yahan in Baghban. They are in sur. Singing in sur is far more important than maintaining taal. His voice is God’s gift to him. His performances are impeccable.

On a social level, we meet once in a while. He’s charming and always talks with restraint. His pedigree is unquestionable. When I started singing in 1947, I began reading up on Hindi litterateurs including Premchand, Mahadevi Varma, Jaishankar Prasad and, of course, Harivansh Rai Bachchan. I’ve read Madhushala several times over; also his bulky autobiography which is a unique work of self-revelation. I don’t know whether Bachchan saab knows this, but I truly respect him and Jayaji. Mere dil mein unke liye khaas jagah hai. (They hold a special place in my heart.)”

Hrithik Roshan
“Hrithik has the fluidity and rhythm to move effortlessly through songs. I think he got this sense of rhythm from his grandparents. His grandfather was a great composer and his grandmother a very good singer. His uncle Rajesh Roshan is a well-known composer and even Hrithik’s father Rakesh has a very good music sense. His musical heritage comes alive in his dance moves. Hrithik’s a brilliant actor too. Woh itna sundar acting karta hai ki main hairaan ho jaati hoon. (I am stunned by his acting.) I think his greatest gift from God is that he looks very innocent. His eyes are so deep and transparent ... ”

Rishi Kapoor
“Everyone in Raj Kapoor’s family has a sense of music and rhythm. Rishi Kapoor carried the tradition of the dancing hero to a new height. He brought in a new style. He’s one of my all-time favourite heroes. Even today he looks so handsome. Is he my favourite Kapoor? Haan kahungi, kyun nahin? (I’d say yes, why not?) Now there’s Rishi’s son Ranbir Kapoor. I believe he’s wonderful. But I haven’t seen much of his work.”

Shah Rukh Khan
“I first saw Shah Rukh in a serial called Fauji. There was something special about him. Then I saw his film Chamatkar and later Deewana and Baazigar, in which he played a negative character. It was quite evident that Shah Rukh could play any kind of role. I remember him saying somewhere that he had no sense of rhythm and dance. But I saw him in Ruk ja o dil deewane in Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge and Chaiyyan chaiyyan in Dil Se. Ussmein itna sahi dance kiya tha unhone. (He danced so well in these songs.)”

Aamir Khan
“Aamir Khan is another favourite. I loved his dancing in Radha kaise na jale in Lagaan. In Aamir’s case every mannerism, including the dance steps, is dictated by the character he plays. He never steps outside the character’s orbit. That’s what I like about him.”

Richard Gere
“I spent one unforgettable afternoon with Richard Gere. And I personally took photographs of our meeting! I invited him to visit Dinanath Mangeshkar Hospital in Pune but he was in a hurry as he had to return to the US on the same night to be with his family for Christmas. What a simple and unaffected man. He was wearing a simple shirt with a pair of jeans. On his wrist was a tulsi mala which he probably used for his Buddhist chanting. I gifted him a statue of Buddha.”

Posted by: abhayp May 25 2010, 03:26 PM

QUOTE(Sharmila-Sweet @ May 7 2010, 12:23 PM)

Lata-Shankar's Ode To 'Maharashtra Day'

http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/broadband/video/Parties-and-Events/NVZqRm79/3/Lata-Shankar-s-Ode-To-Maharashtra-Day.html

Sharmila, thanks a ton for posting this. I hold strong opinions about Lata's post-1975 singing, but hearing her sing the "shriimant yogii" song so well at age 80+ was an amazing experience!

Warm regards,
Abhay

Posted by: Sharmila-Sweet Jun 4 2010, 05:27 PM

^ You are most welcome Abhay

Posted by: Sharmila-Sweet Jun 4 2010, 05:27 PM

Muse-ical Score
Sanjay Leela Bhansali convinces Lata Mangeshkar to sing the track composed specially for her

Subhash K Jha

Posted On Friday, June 04, 2010 at 02:16:42 AM

Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s passion for music is universally known. And his love for Lata Mangeshkar is equally public. He has finally turned composer with Guzaarish and his fantasy of having Lata sing for him is coming true after years of patience.

A song to be sung by his muse and inspiration Lata Mangeshkar is a project that has obsessed and frightened Bhansali for years. He says, “I grew up listening to her sing. I cannot start my day without listening to at least some of her songs. I’ve been in awe of her for so many years that when I finally heard her record a song for Vidhu Vinod Chopra’s 1942: A Love Story, I was mesmerised. When she walked into the studio, time stood still. Ironically, the song she sang contained the lyric Samay ka yeh pal tham sa gaya hai.”

Lata Mangeshkar
Sanjay Leela Bhansali

It was then that Sanjay had decided he would one day direct a film and Lataji would sing for him. “No filmmaker’s creative vision can be complete without her voice,” says Sanjay.

Despite his ardent wish, Lata could not sing in Sanjay Bhansali’s Khamoshi: The Musical and Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam. For Devdas, Sanjay had actually set aside the situation in the script where Lata would sing. When again his desire was thwarted, Sanjay scrapped the situation and the song meant for Lata.

Maybe the Nightingale was destined to sing for Bhansali only when he turned music composer. Now that the director has turned into a full-fledged composer with Guzaarish, he has finally mustered the creativity and courage to compose a song for his idol. The song that he has composed for Lata is a soft and sensitive ballad about how precious the gift of life is.

He created the song over two years and has since then been polishing it to perfection. Now he is all set to record the number with her.

Says Sanjay, “Yes, I have the song for Lataji ready finally. But I have still not mustered up the courage to ask her to sing it for me. How can I ask her to sing for me? I have grown up hearing her voice. I learnt the emotions for direction from the way she sings. In Devdas, I asked Shreya Ghosal to copy Lataji’s style. I tell every singer male or female to refer to her. To now ask her to sing… my God!”

However, when Lataji hears about her biggest bhakt’s secret plan for her she is game for it. “Sanjay Bhansali has a great music sense. I loved his songs in Devdas. And that title song in Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam is outstanding. Whatever he composes would reflect his fine aesthetic sense. Every capable director understands music. I believe that to be a complete filmmaker one has to know about every aspect of cinema,” says Lataji.

http://www.mumbaimirror.com/article/30/2010060420100604021641920d8dd02c7/Museical-Score.html

Posted by: Sharmila-Sweet Jun 21 2010, 11:00 AM

Launch of Gautam Rajadhyaksha's book Chehere

http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/stills/partiesnevents/Launch_of_Gautam_Rajadhyaksha%27s_book_Chehere/index.html

Posted by: Sharmila-Sweet Jun 28 2010, 05:58 PM

'I knew him from the time he ran around in shorts'
By: Subhash K Jha Date: 2010-06-27 Place: Mumbai

Lata Mangeshkar remembers RD Burman on his 71st birthday

As far as female playback legends go, Lata Mangeshkar had the honour of having sung for both the Burman maestros -- father Sachin Dev Burman and son Rahul Dev Burman.

She recalls her initial encounters with RD. "I knew him from the time he would run around in his shorts. He was very naughty. When he came to me with his first song Ghar aaja ghir aaye badra in Mehmood's Chote Nawab, I couldn't believe he had grown up."

The 80 year-old legend recalls her first meeting with Panchamda. "He thrust his autograph book at me when I was recording for his father. Do you know what I wrote in the autograph book? 'Pancham badmashi chhod do' (Stop being naughty) He laughed and ran away. After that, I didn't see him for a long time. He didn't stay much with Burman Dada. He loved his naani and stayed with her more. "

While inviting Lata to sing his first composition, RD also managed to mend relations between her and his father SD Burman. "Yes, Burman Dada and I were not on talking terms. Out of the blue Burman Dada called and said, 'Kya hua tumko? Kyon naraaz ho?' I later came to know Pancham told his father not to fight with me because no one else could sing in the style that he wanted.

Comparing the son to the illustrious father Burman, Mangeshkar observes, "If he wanted, Pancham could've easily followed his father's style. But he followed a unique path. He observed the music and rhythms of African American musicians. He loved ghetto music."

Would it be right to say RD gave all the strong Indian melodies to Lata and the westernised songs to Asha?

"Pancham always gave the right song to both of us. He'd tell me, 'Whatever I compose for you, I can never let Asha sing, and vice versa. Therefore, a Raina Beeti Jaye or a Beeti Na Beetayi Raina came to me. And why just the classical numbers? RD gave me Bahon Mein Chale Aao, which I consider his career's best."

Recalling her special bond with RD, Lataji says, " He called me Didi. But I treated him like my son. When he got married to Rita, he told me to gift him a hand-written letter. He kept it all his life. When he had his first heart attack while recording a song, I was told about it by his associate Sapan Chakravarty. I broke down.

When Pancham heard about my reaction, he told me not to worry. When he had a heart surgery in London, I happened to be there. He sent me a message saying he wanted to meet me before surgery. I went to meet him in the hospital. He told me, 'I don't know what will happen to me. I wanted to meet you before surgery'."

Her rapport with RD remained unaltered even when he married Asha. "Pancham and I didn't expect anything from one another. He used to tell me things that he didn't share with anyone else." Mangeshkar sang both, RD's first and last tracks.

"The last I heard from him was when he asked me to sing Kuch Na Kaho in 1942: A Love Story. I was in Delhi when he passed away. I couldn't sing Kuch Na Kaho during his lifetime. I felt terrible when I recorded it without Pancham."

Posted by: Sharmila-Sweet Jun 29 2010, 10:01 AM

Lata regrets not meeting MJ
By: IANS Date: 2010-06-25 Place: New Delhi

Singing legend Lata Mangeshkar has expressed her regrets over not being able to meet late King of Pop Michael Jackson.

Remembering the Thriller hitmaker on his first death anniversary Friday, Lata wrote on her Twitter page, "My humble tribute to one of the greatest pop artists ever, Michael Jackson...may his soul rest in peace... I never got opportunity to meet him... I'll always have this regret in my heart..."

Jackson died due to a cardiac arrest on June 25, 2009 at his Los Angeles home.

Posted by: Sharmila-Sweet Jul 12 2010, 03:36 PM

Midnight bikers ruining my sleep, song, says Lata

Unable to take the noise pollution, Pedder Road’s most famous resident says she’s contemplating moving out after 50 years

Subhash K Jha

Posted On Monday, July 12, 2010 at 02:35:37 AM

The deafening roar of bikes racing down Pedder Road in the dead of night is drowning out the country’s most famous voice. Lata Mangeshkar, who has been living in Prabhu Kunj building for 50 years, is finding it impossible to cope with the increasing noise pollution in the once-serene neighbourhood.

She is reportedly planning to move to a quieter part of the city.

A source close to the 81-year-old singer who also lives in the building said, “Didi’s health has been suffering because of the incessant traffic. Her first-floor apartment faces the street, which is teeming with cars and bikes all through the day and even at night. It is absolutely impossible to get a sound night’s sleep.”

Increasing 24X7 traffic may not unique to Pedder Road, but the problem here has been compounded with bikers on heavy-duty machines vrooming down at 100 kmph after midnight.

“Every time a biker races down Pedder Road and deliberately revs up his engine, the building vibrates badly. We remain awake all night, so does Didi,” says the source.

“This is not good given her frail condition. Sadly, no one seems to have raised any objections to this menace so far,” he added.

Mangeshkar has lived in this house with her sister Asha Bhosle for decades, before the latter moved out to stay with her son in Khar. “If things get worse, Didi too may move to her house in Lower Parel,” added the source. Sources in Prabhu Kunj say Mangeshkar has apparently started shifting her valuables out of her apartment. When approached, the Bharat Ratna awardee said, “I have shifted all my trophies and awards from Prabhu Kunj to our hospital in Pune. My three-bedroom flat couldn’t accommodate them any more. I’ve now taken over a small part of our hospital for private occupancy. There was no other option.”

She also admitted, “My health is getting affected by the noise. But at this stage in my life, I don’t know if I can stay anywhere else. I have lived here with my family for 50 years after all.”

Pedder Road, which is jam-packed all day, is a favourite haunt of bikers after 1 am

Additional CP (traffic) Brijesh Singh said, “There are 717 vehicles per km on Mumbai’s roads with 450 vehicles being bought every day. South Mumbai roads were not designed for this kind of traffic. When eminent citizens like Lata Mangeshkar raise the issue, it changes things at policy level. As far as bikers are concerned, we will take necessary steps with the help of local police and residents.”

As an artiste she should understand’

Biker Gangs were active on the Bandra reclamation stretch till April 2009 as the sea link was incomplete. While their stunts drew some appreciation initially, the police were soon flooded with complaints. After a crackdown the gangs have all but gone underground though late in the night they are still seen racing along Marine Drive and the Western Express Highway.

A college drop-out who helps his father fashion the choppers (modified bikes with exaggerated handlebars, mud guards, etc) told Mirror, “The thrill is unmatched. We invest much more than money in our bikes. This is our passion. As an artiste she should understand.”

Posted by: Sharmila-Sweet Jul 14 2010, 11:37 AM

Lata, Amitabh bond on Twitter
SUBHASH K JHA, Jul 14, 2010, 10.51am IST

Though social networking has its advantages and disadvantages the entertainment business has nothing to complain about. Not when Bollywood’s two living legends Lata Mangeshkar(LM) and Amitabh Bachchan (AB) are brought closer through their interaction on Twitter.

No doubt LM and AB have been very fond of one another for decades. In fact when AB reluctantly turned singer in the 1970s one of his first major songs was Yeh kahan aa gaye hum with Lataji in Silsila. Sadly the two legends could not record the song together.

Unable to meet frequently because of their individual commitments the two super-icons met sporadically at functions and public events where they get along like a house on fire. Both individually expressed their fondness for one another’s company and their regret at not bonding more often.

That lack of connectivity between AB and LM has changed. Thanks to Twitter where they exchanged messages. So delighted was AB to find his favourite singer on the micro-blogging site says, “The most gratifying moment on Twitter came when I got to interact with Lataji.”

The singing legend reciprocates by saying, “I am really happy to connect with Bachchan Saab through Twitter. I must admit it feels good to be in touch with him again.”

Says Lataji, “I don’t know if they know this. But I’m very fond of the Bachchans. Yes, Jayaji did tell me about the project when we met at a book release. I’m most grateful to both Amitji and Jayaji for always showering me with their love and affection. I’m glad I got an opportunity to connect with Amitji and the parivar through Twitter.”

Posted by: Sharmila-Sweet Jul 20 2010, 10:32 AM

Lata tai’s ‘trained’ voice

Virat A Singh

Posted On Tuesday, July 20, 2010 at 03:50:25 AM

The legendary Lata Mangeshkar might be miffed with the traffic cops but she's willing to make an exception for Railway officials.

Lata Mangeshkar with Satya Prakash

Latatai will be singing a song whose lyrics have been penned by Satya Prakash, Chief Operations Manager (COM) of Central Railway in Sanjay Sharma's film Dunno Y...Na Jaane Kyun. Nikhil Kamath has composed the music of the film, which will release by August this year.

"It's difficult for me to explain my joy," says Satya Prakash. Prakash has written some books that have compilations of his poetry.

The officer is proud to have pursued his passion as diligently as his profession.

Posted by: Sharmila-Sweet Jul 23 2010, 11:54 AM

Lata Mangeshkar - Pandit Jasraj duet for Marathi film
Neeta Kolhatkar / DNAFriday, July 23, 2010 1:00 IST

Mumbai: For the first time, two doyens of different genres — Bharat Ratna Lata Mangeshkar and Padma Vibhushan Pandit Jasraj — will come together to sing a Marathi song.

The song is from a spiritual film, Aai Tuza Ashirwaad (blessings of mother), which has been directed by Madhura Jasraj, wife of Pandit Jasraj. Madhura, incidentally, is the daughter of legendary Marathi film maker V Shantaram.

The song, Om namo sukhdayini, is actually an aarti that was recorded at Swarlata Studios.

The song has also been sung once by Suresh Wadkar. Its music has been composed by Mayuresh Pai.

Pai said musicians consider it a privilege to compose for Mangeshkar, and with Pandit Jasraj also being there, it is a dream moment for him.

“Actually this is all very surreal for me. I have learnt music from Suresh Wadkar who is my guru. He has sung my song, and now it will be sung by the guru of all gurus, Panditt Jasraj, and the goddess Saraswati [Mangeshkar]. It appears as if the universe has conspired to bring me this dream moment,” Pai told DNA.

The film is already edited and it will be released on August 20.

Posted by: bawlachintu Jul 31 2010, 08:55 PM

Thanks Sharmila for nice info.

Posted by: Sharmila-Sweet Aug 2 2010, 10:24 AM

Rahman pays homage to Lata at Wembley

Subhash K Jha

Posted On Saturday, July 31, 2010 at 03:49:18 AM

In an under-attended concert at the huge Wembley on Sunday evening(only 7,000 out of the 9,000 seats were filled) Rahman brought the house down when he paid a very unusual homage to Lata Mangeshkar. Rahman sang his most precious duet with Lata, Lukka chuppi from Rang De Basanti.

Images of Lata singing Lukka chuppi flashed on the monitor as Rahman joined her live at the stadium. The rendition brought the house down.

Apparently Rahman had flown into Mumbai to record Lataji’s voice and images. Says a source, “Lukka chuppi is one of Rahman’s favourite tracks. When he sings about a child being separated from his mother he actually feels he is singing about his own mother.

He wanted this song to be a part of his concert and he didn’t want a stand-in voice for Lata. So he recorded her singing the number live and sang along with the recording at the concert.”

Posted by: Sharmila-Sweet Aug 9 2010, 10:10 AM

Pak PM is Lata tai’s biggest fan

Bharat Ratna Lata Mangeshkar has been extended an invitation to visit Pakistan as a state guest by Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani

Subhash K Jha

Posted On Monday, August 09, 2010 at 03:16:07 AM

It is an honour very few are truly worthy of. Our very own Lata tai has been invited to fly to Pakistan to meet the Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani. If things go as planned, she would soon be sitting, in all her glory, with the crème-de-la-crème of the Pakistani PM’s office.

As it turns out, a very persuasive invitation for Lataji to visit our neighbouring country has come from none other than the Pakistani Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani himself.

During a dinner meeting with singer Adnan Sami in Islamabad last week (which Mumbai Mirror reported recently), Gilani raised the question of Lataji’s long-pending visit. “She owes it to her fans in Pakistan, which includes me,” the Pakistani PM apparently told Adnan.

He then suggested that Adnan personally bring her to Pakistan as the country’s state guest.

Obviously, if Lataji visits Pakistan soon, cultural ties between the two countries would go to another level.

Confirming the invitation from Pakistan’s PM, Adnan says, “Yes, Gilani saab has invited Lataji through me. He is a huge fan of hers. So is Nawaz Sharif for that matter.”

As per Adnan’s account, during his dinner last week in Islamabad, Gilani could not stop singing Lataji’s evergreen melodies. It was after that session that the PM extended the invitation for Lataji to Adnan.

Yousuf Raza Gilani

Says Adnan, “Lataji has been invited as a state guest to Pakistan. I will personally escort her and will make sure she is looked after properly like a Bharat Ratna should be. Lataji is a national treasure not only in India but also in Pakistan. Just the thought of her visit has filled Pakistani people with a feeling of elation. She must go there. I will make sure it happens.”

While Lataji is yet to take a call on this invitation, the long-standing desire of the Pakistanis to have her amongst them for just one visit, is now on its way to fulfillment.

Posted by: Sharmila-Sweet Sep 23 2010, 10:28 AM

Bhansali’s ode to the Nightingale

To commemorate her 82nd birthday, Sanjay Leela Bhansali will start work on an album inspired by Lata Mangeshkar’s less celebrated wonders

Subhash K Jha

Posted On Wednesday, September 22, 2010 at 03:37:36 AM

That the self-proclaimed Lata Mangeshkar devotee Sanjay Leela Bhansali has turned into a music composer with Guzaarish is a well-known fact. What no one knows, not even the people closest to the director, is that he has been secretly working on another album of songs created and composed exclusively for his muse.

And now when India’s Nightingale turns 82 on September 28 , SLB’s precious secret project will finally be given the attention he has been craving to give it for all these years.

Though SLB refuses to speak about his own personal ode to the legendary singer, a source close to the director says, “During the past one year Sanjay has been completely consumed by Guzaarish and its music.

Having taken on the task of composing a full score for the first time Sanjay had put his dream opus—the Lata Mangeshkar album — on the backburner. He now intends to go at it full-throttle. On her birthday he will get to work seriously on his Lata Mangeshkar project.”

Sanjay Bhansali’s Lata Mangeshkar project will focus on creating songs that the director, as an ardent fan of Lata, has observed to have been less conspicuous in her repertoire.

Says SLB, “I know every nuance in her voice. She is a miracle of nature. And there’s so much in her throat that is still untapped. I first thought I’d create just one song for her in Guzaarish.

Then I thought, why one song when a whole ethos, era after era of supreme excellence is embodied in that voice? She mirrors all the beauty of the soul. It is that beauty I want to capture in my songs.”

Incidentally, Lataji has worked with other filmmakers, who were closet composers, like Raj Khosla and Raj Kapoor. But a filmmaker turning into a music composer officially is a first.

Attached image(s)

Posted by: Sharmila-Sweet Oct 12 2010, 12:54 PM

Rekha and legendary singer Lata Mangeskar share a candid moment at Rekha's a birthday party on Sunday in Mumbai.

The enigmatic actress turned 56th on Sunday (October 10).

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Posted by: Sharmila-Sweet Oct 21 2010, 01:05 PM

Lata Mangeshkar is spotted at the launch of her Saregama India Ltd's album Aapki Sewa Mein Main Aur Mere Saathi at Saregama Office in Mumbai.

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Posted by: Sharmila-Sweet Oct 22 2010, 02:24 PM

Lata Mangeshkar made a rare public appearance to launch her new album Aapki Sewa Mein Main Aur Mere Saathi last evening, and chatted freely with the media present.

The album has been named after her first film as a singer, Aap Ke Sewa Mein released way back in 1946. The collection of songs, she says, had an emotional bearing on her since her childhood. The assortment also includes unreleased songs from films like Garam Coat and Amar Samadhi.

"I miss my colleagues of yesteryears," she said.

The legendary singer, who has millions of admirers around the globe, confesses to being an admirer of Amitabh Bachchan, and his game show Kaun Banega Crorepati. A self-confessed introvert, Lataji claimed that she preferred to spend time at home watching television especially her favourite show, CID.

Lataji has sung for many actresses on screen, but claims that her favourites have been Kajol and Rani Mukerji. Her favourite actors are Salman Khan and Aamir Khan.

Ardent fans don't have to search too hard for a piece of Lataji -- she's quite active on twitter, and likes interacting with people on the social networking site. She also uses the forum to remind her fans the birthdays of freedom fighters.

Check out the video, and watch Lataji talk about what to expect from Aapki Sewa Mein Main Aur Mere Saathi.

http://movies.rediff.com/slide-show/2010/oct/21/slide-show-1-lata-mangeshkar-launches-album.htm

Posted by: Sharmila-Sweet Oct 26 2010, 10:08 AM

Celebrating the Mangeshkars

Amarendra Dhaneshwar

Posted On Monday, October 25, 2010 at 02:02:34 AM

As talked about by film song historian and author Raju Bharatan in his latest book A Journey Down Melody Lane, the Mangeshkars have held millions spellbound for generations together.

The clan, with Lata Mangeshkar at the helm, is the first musical family of the country with Lata's six decade long career featuring night club songs such as Aai Meri Zindagi to pure classical numbers such as Manmohana Bade Jhute or Radha Na Bole.

Oh, Brother! Here thou art: Lata with sibling

She is into her 81st year and the occasion will be celebrated by Hridayesh Arts in a manner befitting her exalted status." We always hold a classical music festival at Vile Parle east in January.

This year, we are holding an additional programme of classical music in her honour," says Avinash Prabhavalkar of Hridayesh.

The programme will feature leading sitarist Niladri Kumar, vocalist Rashid Khan and sarod maestro Amjad Ali Khan. "Considering her taste and deep interest in classical music, we have roped in the leading lights," he adds.

Hridayanath Mangkeshkar, one of the most creative music composers, has had film music, devotional music, gazals and Marathi bhav geets in his repertoire.

Check it out.
Catch the Hridayesh Mangeshkar festival on the 26th and 27th October at Shanmukhanand Hall, 6.30pm. Contact: 98690 86696

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Posted by: Sharmila-Sweet Nov 11 2010, 05:21 PM

1st Global Indian Music Awards

http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/stills/partiesnevents/Lata_Mangeshkar,_Salman_and_Anil_grace_1st_Global_Indian_Music_Awards/index.html

Posted by: Sharmila-Sweet Dec 3 2010, 12:53 PM

http://www.rediff.com/movies/slide-show/slide-show-1-the-musical-scandals-of-bollywood/20101201.htm

When Lata was naughty... and other musical stories
Last updated on: December 1, 2010 19:18 IST

Patcy N in Mumbai

The Hindi film industry has seen its share of controversies over the years.
While star romances and break-ups are usually well documented, the music industry has many secrets that have never tumbled out of the closet.

Raju Bharatan, an assistant editor at The Illustrated Weekly of India , Asia's oldest English magazine till it shut down in 1991, and author of Lata Mangeshkar: A Biography and the recent best-seller A Journey Down Melody Lane, reveals some of those secrets in this three-part special interview with Rediff.com's Patcy N.

When R D Burman refused to compose a song for Raj Kapoor

R D Burman 'Pancham' and Randhir Kapoor 'Dabboo' were good friends. Pancham had been signed to score the music for Randhir's first directorial film, Dharam Karam. One of the songs needed to be picturised on Raj Kapoor.

Randhir told Pancham to compose that particular tune with Raj Kapoor present. But Pancham got upset and said, 'Dabboo, you did not tell me that I had to play a tune in front of Raj Kapoor, else I would have not signed the film.'

The reason why Pancham reacted this way was that he had had a very bad experience with Guru Dutt earlier. He had heard that Raj Kapoor was difficult to work with as well.

Pancham said Guru Dutt 'drove me mad'. He would finalise a tune after hearing a range of tunes, but cancel it at the very next sitting because his vision would change by then. He would ask Pancham to compose another tune. Pancham never understood what Guru Dutt really wanted.

Pancham thought Raj Kapoor was difficult while selecting tunes as well, and so when Dabboo asked him to play a tune for his father Raj Kapoor, he refused.

Randhir tried to reason with him, saying that Raj Kapoor was a very creative person. Pancham replied that he had worked with creative people before and knew exactly what happened when you worked with one.

He added that he only wanted to work with normal people.

After much cajoling, he finally agreed. He was very nervous because Raj Kapoor liked Shankar-Jaikishan, but did not like Laxmikant-Pyarelal's work.

So Pancham played the tune of Ek Din Bik Jayega Maati Ke Mol. The lyrics weren't written then.

Raj Kapoor loved it. He said the song would be a hit. Raj Kapoor could listen to a tune and gauge if it would be a hit.

Composer Anil Biswas and Lata Mangeshkar were traveling in the third class compartment (in those days, trains had a third class compartment as well) of a train.

Dilip Kumar was traveling in the same compartment, so Anil Biswas introduced him to Lata.

During their conversation, Dilip Kumar learnt that Lata was Maharashtrian. So he said, 'En Maharashtrianno ke saath ek problem hota hai. Inki gaane main daal bhaat ki boo aati hai (The problem with these Maharashtrians is when they sing, they smell of dal and rice).

Lata took the hint and immediately kept an Urdu diction teacher, where she learnt the language carefully.

Posted by: Sharmila-Sweet Jan 4 2011, 02:16 PM

Lata Mangeshkar Launches 2011 Calendar

http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/broadband/video/Parties-and-Events/0NGymS15/3/Lata-Mangeshkar-Launches-2011-Calendar.html

DESCRIPTION: Veteran singer Lata Mangeshkar was at an event to launch a special 2011 calendar which showcases some of her memorable photographs with music directors of yesteryears. Take a look.

LENGTH: 5 Minute(s)

Posted by: Sharmila-Sweet Jan 6 2011, 12:47 PM

Lata Mangeshkar tweeted about R D Burman on his death anniversary yesterday.

She wrote, 'Namaskar. Aaj Pancham, matlab RD Burman, inki punyatithi hai. Aaj Pancham ki bahut yaad aa rahi hai. Pancham ek bemisaal music director tha.'

She recalled, 'Usne har rang ka music diya tha Jo aaj ki yuva peedhi bhi uske gaano se pyar karti hai! Aaj main use meri shraddhanjali arpan karti hu. Woh jaha bhi ho, Bhagwan uski atma ko shanti de'

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Posted by: Sharmila-Sweet Jan 10 2011, 10:32 AM

Unveiled: The mystery of Lata Mangeshkar
By: Subhash K Jha Date: 2011-01-09 Place: Mumbai

No, she is not writing an autobiography. But when Lataji, known to be exceedingly guarded about her life and achievements, finally allows close family members and long-time admirers to open the vault of her memories, it's just as significant.

A concerted effort to chronicle her saga in an exhibition of her unseen photographs (both of her and taken by her) is on. Suitcases and trunks filled with photographs and documents, that were hitherto lying unattended and disorganised at the Nightingale's residence Prabhu Kunj on Peddar Road, are to be retrieved by her brother, composer Hridanayanth Mangeshkar, with the active help of young composer Mayuresh Pai.

The treasure includes rare photographs of Mangeshkar that chronicle her evolution from a timid 12 year-old girl, obligated to become the family's bread-earner after her father's death, to the formidable 81 year-old singer.

A 2011 calendar with Lataji's rare photographs and comments on the various composers she has worked with, from Ghulam Haider in 1947 to AR Rahman in 1998, is also being launched. "All the rare pictures in the calendar have been put together by my brother (Hridayanath), Rashesh Shah (Bharat Shah's son) and his wife. They painstakingly sifted through the records. I've given Pai nearly 1,200 old photographs. He is free to use them as he thinks appropriate."

Lataji was reluctant to go through pictures and documents from her past. She finds it vain and uninspiring. "I've never believed in resting on my laurels. Whatever praise and recognition has come my way I've accepted with humility and gratitude, but I don't believe in marketing myself. I don't even listen to my songs once they are recorded. When I hear myself on television, I quickly switch channels," she says.

Not too many fans know this, but every time Lataji has to pick favourites, she gets the jitters. "If you name certain people and songs, you are bound to leave out others and offend them. However, recently I've been sticking my head out." Aapki Seva Mein Main Aur Mere Saathi, a new 5-volume album by the SaReGaMa, has Lataji selecting her favourite duets with colleagues ranging from Mohammad Rafi, Manna Dey and Kishore Kumar to sister Asha Bhosle.

Posted by: Sharmila-Sweet Jan 11 2011, 11:16 AM

In Lata's words: Her famous composers

http://www.rediff.com/movies/slide-show/slide-show-1-lata-mangeshkar-calendar/20110107.htm

Posted by: Sharmila-Sweet Apr 1 2011, 10:00 AM

Lata Mangeshkar to release father’s biography
Published: Friday, Apr 1, 2011, 9:45 IST
By Pallavi Kharade & Kiran Dahitule | Place: Pune | Agency: DNA

Melody Queen Lata Mangeshkar will release a biography of her father, the late vocalist Pandit Deenanath Mangeshkar, in the city on April 6 at 5 pm at the Yashwantrao Chavan Natyagruha, Kothrud. The biography, written by singer-actor Vandana Ghangurde, is titled Breeda Tujhe Jagi Deenanath.

Legendary vocalist and actor, Deenanath Mangeshkar, is remembered for his mastery over Hindustani classical music. He used his strong base in classical musical while singing Natyapade and developed his own signature style.

Addressing a press conference on Thursday, Ghangurde said, “In the biography, I have tried to shed light on his trademark style of singing and how it was different from other singers. The Mangeshkar sisters are ruling the music world because they have inherited their father’s singing skills. The book traces his music journey.”

Ghangurde is a regular performer on Akashwani and Doorarshan, who sings khayal and light classical. She has also performed in a number of concerts and conferences and has enacted singing roles as a music teacher in Pimpri.

Publisher Anil Kulkarni of Anubandh Prakashan said the book has been designed with the help of Achyut Palav, a world renowned calligrapher. Priced at Rs500, the 252-page book would be sold at a discounted rate of Rs400 on the day of its release.

The book release function would be preceded with an hour-long musical programme, ‘Deenarang’, in which a three-minute recording of Deenanath Mangeshkar will be shown along with some of his old pictures.

The entire Mangeshkar family, along with old associates, is scheduled to attend the programme. The tickets, priced at Rs150 and Rs100, would be sold on the day of the book’s release.

Posted by: Sharmila-Sweet Apr 1 2011, 01:51 PM

Lata Mangeshkar fasts for Team India
Published: Friday, Apr 1, 2011, 12:44 IST
Place: New Delhi | Agency: PTI, PTI

Lata Mangeshkar
A known cricket buff, legendary singer Lata Mangeshkar fasted for Team India during the high voltage World Cup semifinal against arch rivals Pakistan and is now praying for her favourite Sachin Tendulkar to score his 100th century in tomorrow's finals.

The 81-year-old, who says that the master blaster is like her son, did not eat or drink during the nine-hour nail-biter.

"I had watched the whole match and I was very tense. Everyone in my family follows some kind of superstition when India is playing. I, Meena and Usha did not eat or drink anything during the semifinal match. I was constantly praying for the victory and we had our dinner after India won," Lata told PTI in a telephonic interview from Mumbai.

"I am eager to see India winning the cup and if Sachin scores his 100th century on his home ground in the final, it will be icing on the cake. I will pray for that," said Mangeshkar.

When asked about the possibility of watching the final at Wankhede stadium, she replied in the negative. An avid cricket fan, Lata had enjoyed the 1983 World Cup final from the galleries at Lords.

"I don't go to stadiums anymore. I will watch the match at home and after that I leave for Pune where I have to attend an award ceremony," she said.

She also declined to predict the outcome of the much awaited match .

"Both the teams are equally good. Cricket is a very unpredictable game and you can't guess anything about the outcome. I thought Yuvraj will play a big knock in the semifinal but he got out for a duck. So I don't like to predict anything," she said.

Recalling the 1983 World Cup final, Mangeshkar said that she was in London at that time for a concert and was desperate to watch the final after Kapil's boys won the semi-final against England.

"I had invited Kapil Dev and his team for dinner before the match to my hotel. I wished them best of luck and after that our team created history," she said.

"After winning the trophy, Kapil Dev invited me for a dinner with the Indian team in London. I went there and congratulated the players," she added.

On her return to India, Mangeshkar agreed to stage a concert without charging a penny to raise money for the victorious team and all the players sang with her in the New Delhi concert.

Posted by: Sharmila-Sweet Apr 14 2011, 02:56 PM

Lata Mangeshkar and Rekha launch Sarhadyein album

http://www.indiaglitz.com/channels/hindi/gallery/Events/26532.html

Posted by: Sharmila-Sweet Apr 15 2011, 09:38 AM

Lata Mangeshkar to honour Dharmendra
Afsana Ahmed, TNN | Apr 14, 2011, 05.10pm IST

Lata Mangeshkar and DharmendraAfter Bollywood personalities Amitabh Bachchan, Aamir Khan and Kajol, it's now Bollywood's original He man, Dharmendra, who has been chosen by the Mangeshkar Trust to receive the prestigious `Deenanath Mangeshkar Award' in a mega event to be held on the 24th of this month. The musical function will also see felicitations of other eminent musicians, artists, dramatist and social workers. They will be honored by Bharat Ratna winner and India's nightingale Lata Mangeshkar with Memento and a cash prize.

Dharmendra was ecstatic to hear about the felicitation, "I have received very few awards of appreciation in my long career. So such honors make me emotional. I am really honored to be considered worthy of this award," says Dharam, emotionally.

He further adds that it's a pleasure to be felicitated by Lata. Recalling his association with Lataji, he says they go back a very long way. "She's sung for so many of my heroines. They were lovely and romantic songs. Where do you get to listen to such melodies today", rues Dharam with a tinge of nostalgia. 'Every song of hers is my favorite," he says.

The duo was recently felicitated at the Mi Marathi award.

Posted by: Sharmila-Sweet May 30 2011, 11:22 AM

I'm not retiring, says Lata

By IANS, 30 May, 2011

A media report claiming that octogenerian Lata Mangeshkar is planning to retire has upset the singing legend who is surprised how a reputed newspaper could have published such an item.
‘Today, I read a news in DNA newspaper that said that I am retiring. This is absolutely wrong. And I am surprised a reputated newspaper like DNA has published wrong and irresponsible information about me,’ Lata Sunday posted on her Twitter page.

The 81-year-old says that she has come into this world to sing and will keep singing till her last breath.
‘If I want to retire, then I will make that decision myself, not others. DNA, or others who want to tell all this, do they really need to talk about my retirement? Be it any newspaper, they should talk to me directly; should not write an article on the basis of hearsay. Nobody has the right to insult me and my future work will be a reply to such rumours.

‘What has also upset me is that wihout making any effort to find out the details about my health, they have written that I am suffering from back pain. This is also a lie,’ Lata asked.
A receipient of the Bharat Ratna, India’s highest civilian honour, Lata, during her almost seven decade long career has sung for over 1,000 Bollywood films and in 36 regional languages.

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Posted by: Sharmila-Sweet May 31 2011, 10:17 AM

Lata Mangeshkar to sing title track for Asha Bhosle starrer Maaee
By Bollywood Hungama News Network, May 27, 2011 - 20:01 IST

By now its common knowledge that veteran playback singer Asha Bhosle is making her big screen acting debut in Maaee. However the big breaking news is the fact that the title song of the film will be sung by none other than legendary playback singer and Asha's elder sister Lata Mangeshkar.

Speaking about this, Asha says, "Lata didi has agreed to sing the title track of my film Maaee and I am very happy."

The title track is yet to be recorded and will be scheduled as per Lataji's availability. The song has been composed by Nitin Shankar.

Principle shooting of Maaee is almost complete. The film tells the poignant tale of what happens when a woman is abandoned by her only son and then goes to live with her daughter and son-in-law.

Maaee is directed by Mahesh Kodiyal and produced by Subhash Dawar and Nitin Shankar.

Posted by: Sharmila-Sweet Jun 1 2011, 01:58 PM

Lata Mangeshkar's real name was Hema
May 19, 2011, 11.39am IST
Tags:Lata Mangeshkar

Lata Mangeshkar's real name was Hema. Her parents, Dinanath and Shevanti Mangeshkar, named her Hema.

She lent her voice for the first time for a Marathi movie 'Kiti Hasaal' in 1942, but the song was not released. It was her song 'Nathli chaitrachi navlai' in the Marathi film 'Pahili Mangalagaur' (1942) that was the first, to see the light of day. She even acted in 10 films, including 'Pahili Mangalagaur', 'Badi Maa' (1945), 'Jeevan Yatra' (1946), 'Mandir' (1948), along with cameos in 'Chhatrapati Shivaji' and 'Pukar' (2000).

Posted by: Sharmila-Sweet Jun 13 2011, 02:29 PM

Lata Mangeshkar's passion, other than singing is painting and she is also an expert in the art of applying make-up and an avid photographer.

Hidden talents we must say.

Posted by: Sharmila-Sweet Jun 28 2011, 11:27 AM

http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report_indore-the-cradle-that-gave-lata-mangeshkar-and-kishore-kumar-to-india_1559847

Indore, the cradle that gave Lata Mangeshkar and Kishore Kumar to India
Published: Tuesday, Jun 28, 2011, 8:00 IST | Updated: Tuesday, Jun 28, 2011, 2:00 IST
By Zafar Ansari | Place: Indore | Agency: DNA

If the journey of music in India were to be mapped, Indore would be its most popular milestone.

The city was home to iconic artists, Lata Mangeshkar and Kishore Kumar, who immortalised Bollywood with their distinctive singing styles. Lata was born in Sikh Mohalla in 1929. A Raymond’s showroom now stands tall in place of her aunt’s house where she was delivered, 80 years ago.

Indore, at that time, was dominated by Marathi culture. So, Lata grew up in a Marathi environment. She would cycle her way to Naulakha Garden where the Indore Zoo was built.

Lata used to frequently visit Indore to meet her aunt and cousin Malti. She had a strong fetish for dal bafala —the famous cuisine of the Malwa region. Every time she visited the city, her cousins would get dal bafala from the finest shop in their locality.

Unlike Lata, Kishore Kumar aka Abhas Kumar Kunjilal Ganguly, was born in a lawyer’s family on August 4, 1929, at Khandwa, around 150km from Indore.

Kishore had this habit of wearing shorts to the Indore Christian College where he completed his graduation. In his free time, Kishore would throw up impromptu acts of singing and mimicry under a tree in the college campus.

He carried his unmistakable trait of wearing a pair of shorts and a smile from his college days in Indore to the reel life. Kishore started his career as an actor in the movie Shikari (1946). He made his debut as a singer with Marne ki duayen kyon mangu for the film Ziddi (1948). Unfortunately, the legend could never return to his birth place after climbing the peak of his career.

— As told to Shruti Marwaha

Lata Mangeshkar (centre) with the Jadhav family of Indore. The picture was taken some time in 1940
Zafar Ansari | DNA

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Posted by: Sharmila-Sweet Jul 29 2011, 10:29 AM

http://www.dnaindia.com/entertainment/interview_i-don-t-like-remixes-lata-mangeshkar_1570541

I don't like remixes: Lata Mangeshkar
Published: Friday, Jul 29, 2011, 9:38 IST
By Team After Hours | Place: Mumbai | Agency: DNA

Do you see films?
I see very few films. Music itself has undergone a lot of change. There was a time when music directors and singers were as popular as the hero and heroines. Musicians would decide if they should take Lata or Asha for a song. Or decide between (Mohd) Rafisaab, Kishore Kumar or Mukesh… Nothing like that happens now. Now one film will have six voices — one song by Sonu (Nigam), one by someone else…

I also hear that a film has five music directors today.Producers (barring Yash Chopra) too don't pay much attention to music. You rarely get to hear good music. Earlier even if a film flopped the music was successful. And to add to it, the internet too is forcing music companies to take a backseat.

Any song that you liked recently?
One song that I really liked was Main Hoon Naa’s title track… Besides, even the voices have changed. Hamare time pe joh awaazein thi, matlab ladki ki awaaz ladki ki hi lagti thi (laughs)… Sorry!

Who's your favourite from among the current lot of Bollywood singers?
Sunidhi (Chauhan) sings well but she has a different voice — if she tries to sing a lori, it’ll not work. Then there’s Shreya Ghoshal, Sonu Nigam, Udit Narayan (who’s not a new artist), Alka (Yagnik), who I believe does not sing anymore and Shaan. But what we are today is also because of our music directors.

They — Ghulam Haider, Sachin Dev Burman the, RD Burman, Madan Mohan,Jaidev, Ravi Shankar — worked hard on us. They were well-versed in classical music, which is very important. Like if you want to write, you need to know how to read. It’s the same with classical music, you should be able to understand your raags.

Did you ever have an argument with a music director?
Never, we sang the way we were told to. At times I’d try a taan or alaap and they would appreciate it. Only Rafisaab would object to it at times. Y’see, I would decide that I’ll try out a certain note today and not inform Rafisaab about it. Aur jaha unhone kaha yahan take karte hai, main ekdum gaa deti thi. Rafisaab would sulk sayingthat if you had told me, I too would’ve sung it that way.Mujhe mazaa aata tha unko zara chedne mein...

A song that is closest to your heart…
The song closest to my heart is 'Aayega aanewala' fromMahal. No, there’s no personal story to it, bas achha lagta hai.But I remember how it was recorded. Director Kamal (Amrohi) had an indepth knowledge in music and shayari. He told me that he wanted the voice to sound like it was coming from afar.

Since those days we had no such recording machine to create the effect, I had to walk and sing the opening lines till I reached the mike. Once I reached the mike, I would begin the song from Aayega aanewala…I did this routine 10 – 15 times, which is also the reason I remember the song very well (laughs).

I remember Nargis Dutt’s mother was in the studio too, when I recorded the song that day. She was a good singer herself. She called out to me when I finished recording the song, and asked me my name. When I told her that my name was Lata Mangeshkar, she said, ‘Accha, so you are a Marathan! Amazing, you pronounced ‘baghair’ very well.’ (laughs) She was referring to the line – ‘deepak baghair’ in the song.

A lot of the old songs especially RD Burman's are being remixed, the makers say that they are reviving the old songs...
Woh kya phir se laayenge? Woh galat faimi mein hain. What has already been created and appreciated by people should not be tampered with. I don't like remixes. If you have to take an old song, then sing it the way it’s been sung. Puraani cheez laakar aap bana nahi rahe hai, bigaad rahe hai.Where’s the talent in that?

Your sister Asha Bhosale has done a lot of international collaborations.Aren't you interested in doing something similar?
I’m not aware of whom she's sung with, but I have no interest to do something like that.

Do you listen to all her songs?
Asha’s? Yes, every song that she sings. But I feel that if one has to collaborate with another artiste then it should be with someone really big, not with little known artistes.

Do you listen to international artistes?
Yes, I am fond of Nat King Cole. I started listening to his music in the 50’s. I have all his records. I even toyed with the idea to do a recording of his songs, but was advised against it. I liked the Beatles too!

Do you think that musical reality shows provide a platformformusic talents?
The only way the music show talents will benefit from what's happening on TV recently, is that they can have their own stage shows. You remember what happened to Abhijeet Sawant? They gave him a car, but he never sang in films. He gained a lot from stage shows though. Yeh platform jo hai… ab kya hua hai ki platform tod ke raste bade ho gaye hain (laughs). Most of our artistes — Sonu, Shreya, Sunidhi — today are doing a lot of stage-shows too, there’s a lot of money in it.

What do you think of the movement led by Anna Hazare?
I don’t comment on politics ever, and I am also least interested in it. But I don’t see anything wrong in what Anna Hazare is doing.

You also tweet regularly...
Yes, my brother’s son writes it for me. Nowadays, I also include English words in it and I take my sister’s daughter’s help for that.

Posted by: Sharmila-Sweet Aug 1 2011, 03:40 PM

Lata Mangeshkar’s call is medicine for ailing Bhupen Hazarika

Published: Monday, Aug 1, 2011, 10:00 IST
By Prasanta Mazumdar | Place: GUWAHATI | Agency: DNA

For years, melody queen Lata Mangeshkar has mesmerised people across the globe with her soulful voice. On Sunday, the Nightingale of India’s phone call to Bhupen Hazarika, 85, proved to be ‘sweet medicine’ for the ailing music maestro, who is undergoing treatment at Andheri’s Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani hospital for over a month.

A semi-conscious Hazarika, who was put on ventilator on Wednesday night and was not responding to treatment for over six days, not only opened his eyes for a minute when Lata Mangeshkar inquired about his health, but they also turned moist, said Debasish Sarma, deputy resident commissioner of Assam Bhavan in Mumbai.

Lataji called filmmaker Kalpana Lajmi, Hazarika’s long-time companion. “The phone was placed near Bhupenda’s ears when Lataji spoke this morning. To everyone’s surprise, Bhupenda opened his eyes,” Sarma said. “Lataji told him that they were all wishing for his speedy recovery and eagerly waiting to have him back among them.” Lata Mangeshkar and Bhupen Hazarika have belted out hits in several films, the most popular being Rudaali and Ek Pal.

Sarma said ever since he heard Lataji’s voice, Bhupenda has been recovering well. “His condition is much better today. His lung infection decreased significantly, almost by 70%,” Sarma said quoting doctors attending to the music icon. “He is responding well to medicines for the past two days and is breathing about 25 times a minute. The doctors said he will be put off ventilator once he regains complete consciousness.

The Assam government has told hospital authorities to provide the best medicines and treatment to Hazarika. Meanwhile, Assamese people settled in Mumbai prayed near Kokilaben hospital for Hazarika’s speedy recovery for a second consecutive day on Sunday. Special prayers were held in Assam too.

Posted by: Sharmila-Sweet Aug 16 2011, 11:23 AM

Shammi Kapoor a cheerful and nice human being: Lata Mangeshkar
Published: Sunday, Aug 14, 2011, 20:01 IST
Place: Mumbai | Agency: PTI

Expressing grief over the death of veteran actor Shammi Kapoor, legendary playback singer Lata Mangeshkar remembered him as a "cheerful and courageous" person.

"I am saddened with the death of Shammi Kapoorji. He was a big star of the film industry and also a very good human being. He was very lively person... courageous, faced all difficulties very bravely," Lata said on micro-blogging site Twitter.

The 79-year-old actor passed away this morning due to chronic renal failure at Breach Candy hospital in Mumbai.

"He was on dialysis for quite sometime. Even though he had to take treatment thrice a week he was a very cheerful and happy-go-lucky person. He used to attend functions also. When he had received Dinanath Mangeshkar award he had come to Pune... at that time he was not on dialysis and used to drive," she said.

"Also, Shammiji was a very good singer. He has learnt music and used to call me his sister. I am feeling awful by his death and may his soul rest in peace," she added.

http://www.dnaindia.com/entertainment/report_shammi-kapoor-a-cheerful-and-nice-human-being-lata-mangeshkar_1575960

Posted by: Sharmila-Sweet Sep 28 2011, 10:02 AM

Memorable melodies

Posted On Wednesday, September 28, 2011 at 04:02:35 AM

Lata Mangeshkar celebrates her 82nd birthday today on September 28, 2011. More than two decades back, during a song recording of the Dharmendra-Hema Malini starrer 1975 film Pratiggya, photographer Jagdish Aurangabadkar captured the singer along with her lyricist Anand Bakshi (extreme right), music composers Laxmikant Pyarelal (on either side of the singer), lead actor Dharmendra and director Dulal Guha (extreme left).

In the 1970s, Lata Mangeshkar voiced many songs for the composer duo Laxmikant-Pyarelal. Incidentally, it was Lata Mangeshkar who spotted talent in a 10-year-old Laxmikant playing the mandolin at her concert in Radio Club, Colaba.

The young boy then met his future partner Pyarelal at Sureel Kala Kendra, a music academy for children run by the Mangeshkar family. In fact, it was the Lata Mangeshkar again, who recommended Laxmikant-Pyarelal’s names to music directors like Naushad and Sachin Dev Burman.

Laxmikant-Pyarelal’s association with Lata Mangeshkar grew stronger over the years. Starting in 1963, Lata Mangeshkar sang over 700 songs for the composer duo over a period of 35 long years, most of which became huge hits.

In fact, the composer duo even went on to win the Indian government’s prestigious Lata Mangeshkar music award.

On her birthday, through this picture, we remember one of the most melodious associations of her life.

http://www.mumbaimirror.com/article/30/201109282011092804024743361f02a5e/Memorable-melodies.html

Posted by: Sharmila-Sweet Sep 28 2011, 10:16 AM

Lata Mangeshkar turns 82!

http://ishare.rediff.com/video/entertainment/lata-mangeshkar-turns-82-/4975928

Posted by: Sharmila-Sweet Sep 28 2011, 11:26 AM

Born to sing: Lata turns 82 on Sep 28th
By IANS, 27 September, 2011

One of the gems of the Hindi film industry, Lata Mangeshkar turns 82 Wednesday and even after spreading the magic of her voice for seven decades she is still singing songs with aplomb.

Thanks to her successful long journey and her body of work, she has become an institution in herself and a guiding force not just for budding singers, but also for established artists.

‘It’s our good fortune that we have taken birth in the times of Lataji. She is our goddess of music and she is always going to be an inspiration for our generation and the generations to come,’ singer Sonu Nigam told IANS.

Starting her career in 1943 at the age of 13 with the song ‘Mata ek sapoot ki duniya badal de tu’ for Marathi film ‘Gajaabhaau’, Lata, who is called the Nightingale of India, went on to record songs for more than 1,000 films in 36 languages.

From classical to romantic numbers to ghazals to bhajans, she made her mark in a variety of genres.

Even at this age her zeal to sing is the same which was evident when she sang ‘Tere hasne se’ for ‘Satrangee Parachute’ that released this year.

‘Lataji is my teacher, my inspiration and it is because of her that I’ve loved music so much. I want to wish her all the happiness in the world,’ said Shreya Ghoshal.

Shaan says that ‘Whatever you say about Lataji is less. All I want to say is that the divinity that she has in her voice is unique and very different. Whatever the song might be, she adds dignity to it. Very subtly she brings out the expressions in a song. She is an institute in herself and the only one among so many.’

Lata, who is the voice behind evergreen lilting melodies like ‘Aaja re pardesi’, ‘Kahi deep jale kahi dil’, ‘Beeti na bitaai raina’, ‘Tere bina zindagi se’, ‘Tere bina jiya jaaye na’, ‘Naino mein badra’, ‘Chalte chalte’ and ‘Yaara sili sili’, made it to then Guinness Book of World Records from 1974 to 1991 for having made the most recordings in the world.

Not just for singers, for actors and filmmakers too, the Bharat Ratna recipient is the voice that gave Hindi songs the quality that will be remembered for years.

‘I think for any actress Lataji singing for her is a blessing because we all know what incredible talent she has. We can only hope that she lives for many many years to come and sings forever,’ said Dia Mirza.

Filmmaker Yash Chopra feels proud that an artist like Lata was born on Indian soil.

‘For an artiste to be at the pinnacle of her career for 69 uninterrupted years is an unprecedented feat in any field anywhere in the world and we are proud that an Indian, our very own Lata Mangeshkar, has achieved this,’ Chopra had told IANS.

‘I have been fortunate to have worked with her for over five decades from my very first film, ‘Dhool Ka Phool’ till my most recent film ‘Veer Zaara’.

‘As a director, I can vouch that Lataji makes each song her own. She adds so many characteristic nuances, making it easier for an actress to enact and for the song to stand the test of time. They say that people follow music, but in Lataji’s case, music follows her.’

Posted by: Sharmila-Sweet Sep 28 2011, 12:14 PM

Wishing Lata Mangeshkar a very happy Birthday
By Bollywood Hungama News Network, September 28, 2011 - 11:50 IST

History has it that Mahatma Gandhi was called 'Father of the Nation', Sardar Patel was called as the 'Iron Man of India'. No prizes for guessing as to why is today's birthday girl Lata Mangeshkar called the 'Nightingale of India'! Having started her glorious career in 1942, Latadi has spanned over six & a half decades.

She has recorded songs for multitudes of Bollywood movies & has sung songs in over thirty-six regional Indian languages & foreign languages, though primarily in Hindi. She is the second vocalist to have ever been awarded the Bharat Ratna, India's highest civilian honour. In 1974, The Guinness Book of Records listed Lata Mangeshkar as the most recorded artist in the history, stating that she had reportedly recorded "not less than 25,000 solo, duet & chorus backed songs in 20 Indian languages" between 1948 & 1974.

Posted by: Sharmila-Sweet Sep 28 2011, 12:47 PM

I don't miss being married: Lata Mangeshkar
Afsana AhmedAfsana Ahmed, TNN | Sep 28, 2011, 12.00AM IST

Lata Mangeshkar

TOI gets up close and personal with the legendary singer Lata Mangeshkar on her 82nd birthday

Last few weeks Lata Mangeshkar has been a little caught up. Having wrapped up the Ganpati puja at her Peddar Road residence, the melody queen says there are no special plans for her 82nd birthday today. "I never plan, kyonki jo hona hai wohi hota hai," she smiles. But the evening will see the legendary singer being honoured with the newly instituted `Hridaynath award' for Lifetime Achievement by Amitabh Bachchan. Thereafter she is off to Pune for her usual holiday. Exceprts of an interview...

You are the first recipient of the award that's instituted in your brother Hridaynath Mangeshkar's name
I am proud to accept this award. He is my guru though he is younger to me. I am very proud of him and my other siblings. Yeh bachche mere saamne bade huwe hai aur gaurav ki baat yeh hai ki kisine apne bure waqt pe ya apne mukaam pohochne mei mere madad nahin li. Even though our mother brought them up unke parvarish pe thoda bahut haath mera bhi hai. They are like my children.

In hindsight, what has been the one most enriching and regretting factor in your life respectively?
I am most happy and at ease when I sing. As for regrets, I have none, because whatever God gives it's meant for you and whatever you miss was never for you. I am only thankful to God.

Is there any sense of loneliness that you feel sometimes?
Kabhi kabhi mei ek khaalipan mehsoos karti hun. All my friends are gone..so are the golden days!

Are you in constant touch with friends from the industry?
Nargis and Meena Kumar were my close friends. We used to be in touch regularly till they passed away. Dev Anand is another person who I am in touch with. Otherwise from this generation, Anu Malik often calls me to chat. I am also close to Aamir Khan, Shankar Mahadevan, Hariharan and Sonu Nigam.

Why do you always holiday in Pune and London?
You forgot Kolhapur. I have a house there too. I often run away to these places when I want to escape Mumbai's cacophony. These places have different and lovely memories for me. But for the last few years I have stopped going to London for personal reasons.

Other than music, what else are you involved in?
Photography. I love clicking pictures. I also love cooking. Everyone loves my gaajar ka halwaa and pasanda. I also prefer sitting in my room and reading. Books are a different world I would like to get lost into.

So have you clicked any new pictures?
Nowadays, I have stopped clicking pictures because I do not understand the functioning of a digital camera which is in vogue. Mujhe acche nahin lagte. I love black and white
pictures.

But you can still click with your old camera?
I have sold all of them because they are hardly in use these days. I don't think anyone values that kind of camera anymore.

Among the sisters who are you closest to ?
I have no favourites and I love all three of them. We share everything like all regular
siblings.

So what about the famous Lata-Asha rivalry?
Aisa kuch nahin hai. Jyadaatar woh sab aafwae the. Yes, we were different in nature. I was the quiet type whereas she was the restless and on edge kind. Badi himmat hai yeh ladki mein. She's a versatile singer and a legend in her own way. But we are sisters and quite close. She comes and sits with me and shares everything. We have one door in our house. My bedroom door opens to Asha's room.

Lastly Lataji, like every girl who grows up with dreams of marriage, do you miss being married?
No. Everything happens according to God's wish. Jo hote hai acche ke liye hote hai aur jo nahin hote who aur acche ke liye hote hai. Had you asked me this about four to five decades back, perhaps you would have got a different answer. But today I have no room for such thoughts.

Posted by: Sharmila-Sweet Sep 28 2011, 03:00 PM

Lata Mangeshkar is the 'Goddess of music', an 'inspiration', says Bollywood
Published: Wednesday, Sep 28, 2011, 11:52 IST
Place: Mumbai | Agency: PTI

Describing her as the "Goddess of music" and an "inspiration", several Bollywood singers as well as actors wished the legendary singer Lata Mangeshkar good health on her 82nd birthday today.

"I wish Lataji a very happy birthday. She is the Goddess of music. She is not only an inspiration to me, but to everyone. On this beautiful occasion, I wish her good health and many more wonderful and beautiful years ahead," playback singer Sunidhi Chauhan said.

"For me, Lataji is next to God. I feel, music is alive today only due to her. I am fortunate enough to have sung songs with her," Abhijeet Bhattacharya said.

Abhijeet got the opportunity to sing with the melody queen like Darwaza Band Karlo (Darr) and Ole Ole, Lagi Lagi Hai (Yeh Dillagi).

"Lataji meri bahut pyaari hai (Lataji is very sweet). I know her for a long time...our association is very old. Even if I don't say anything, Lataji knows that I love her and will wish all the good in life," evergreen star Dev Anand said.

"Lataji has been a significant entertainer, not only for our countrymen, but everyone across the globe. We all love her a lot...If I get a chance, I would meet...and wish her," superstar Shahrukh Khan said.

Singer Sonu Nigam said, "I wish her very happy birthday filled with loads of love and care. I think it is our fortune to take birth in the times of Lataji. She is an inspiration for me and will always continue to inspire several other generations."

"I never got the opportunity to sing with her, but she has been an inspiration for me. She is an institution of music. In fact, when my son was born, I took him to the recording room, where my husband was recording a song with Lataji, to seek her blessings. I value her very much. All I observed is that she is well-prepared for her songs and I try to follow her," singer Rekha Bhardwaj said.

"On this occasion, I wish her good health and hope she continues to allure us with her beautiful songs," she said.

"Lataji singing for any actress is a blessing. She has an incredible talent. We can only hope that she lives for many many years and sings forever," actress-producer Dia Mirza said.

"I wish Lataji could sing for me. She has been an inspiration not only to singers, but even to actors and everyone in this industry. I wish her all happiness and a healthy life," said actor Zayed Khan.

Attached image(s)

Posted by: Nandu Sep 28 2011, 03:31 PM

Happy Birthday Lataji.

Posted by: Sharmila-Sweet Sep 28 2011, 03:33 PM

http://www.hindustantimes.com/News-Feed/Music/Lata-s-favourite-niece-on-her-birthday/Article1-750774.aspx

Interesting videos on this site

Posted by: Sharmila-Sweet Sep 28 2011, 03:37 PM

Lata's favourite niece on her birthday
Parmita Uniyal, Hindustan Times
New Delhi, September 27, 2011 Email to Author

Legendary singer Lata Mangeshkar is quite active on Twitter. From wishing people on their birthdays, to sharing her personal details and pictures, the singer has become popular on the micro-blogging site. Here're some snapshots from her Twitter gallery.

We all know Lata Mangeshkar as an extraordinary singer, but we know little about her extraordinary personal side. On the nightingale's 82nd birthday, we ask her niece (Meena Mangeshkar's daughter) Rachna Shah to unravel her lesser known persona.

'Lata is an extraordinary human related stories
Bollywood wishes Lata Mangeshkar on her b'day
being'
World knows she is an extraordinary singer, if you ask me and our family, she is an equally extraordinary person. She is one of the most sensitive and kind persons, and most easily affected by people's griefs. She can just give herself completely to anybody.

'Lata can never multitask'
Be it music, family or anything, when she does something, she puts in her 100 per cent. Normally people these days multi-task. But she only deals with one thing at a time and gives herself completely to it.

'She treats everybody equally'
As we were growing up, we realised she never differentiated between rich, poor, influential and powerless. She is the same with every person. Even if she knew that somebody is not in a capacity to help her in any way, she still helps the person whole-heartedly. This is the quality we love about her. As children, we imbibed this quality from her.

'She is very democratic'
She is a true Libran. She is extremely fair and truly democratic. She is there for you, if you approach her for a problem, but she would never interfere in your life. She is an inspiration for all of us and extremely encouraging.

'Lata's philosophy: Find joy in simple things'
Once we were driving for some recording of hers. She was in a car. There was this bunch of little kids begging, who had painted moustaches on their faces and they were ecstatic. They knocked at the window. I could see Lata's eyes were misty. She really appreciated the innocence in their faces. She gave money to them and a lesson to us - Little things are very important in life. These kids don't have anything, but their painted moustaches gave them so much joy. It's not just about the kids, she's extremely kind to her staff also. She is beyond regular people's thinking.

'She loves me like daughter'
I cannot even begin to explain how much she has loved me. She has brought me up as a daughter with so much love. She has been my companion in everything - illness, school problems, life problems.

'Lata, a child at 82'
She is a friend also. And at 82, she is still very much a child. Her thoughts are like an 18-year-old. The best thing about her is that she doesn't know she is Lata Mangeshkar. She is so humble, so down to earth.

'My favourite Lata Mangeshkar songs'
Kya Janu Sajan (Baharo Ke Sapnay), Aye Dile Nadaan (Razia Sultan) and Kitne Ajeeb Rishte (Page 3).

BIRTHDAY PLANS
Lata's niece tells us that there is no plan for a bash as the legend is receiving Hridaynath Award on her birthday. And the entire family would be present to cheer the singer, except Asha Bhosle who is in Dubai.

TRIVIA from @mangeshkarlata

Lata has tweeted some interesting facts about herself on her Twitter account:

*Lata's first-ever stage performance was at the age of 8 in Pandharpur, Maharashtra. She played the role of a yuvraj (prince). And guess what? The play was staged by her father's company Punyaprabhav, but he was kept in the dark about Lata enacting the role.

*Lata Mangeshkar first met Kishore Kumar in 1948. Her first duet with him was from the film Ziddi. Khemchand Prakash was the
composer.

*She sang around 440 duets with Mohd Rafi in 315 films.

*Lata and her siblings called their mother Maai.

LATA CHOICE

Lata dedicates her favourite songs to greats from music world on their birthdays. Sample some:

*Her favourite Mohd Rafi song: Kabhi Khud Pe Kabhi Halat Pe - Hum Dono

*Her favourite Sonu Nigam song: Kiska Hai Yeh Tumko Intezar - Main Hoo Naa

*Her favourite Mukesh song: O Jane Wale Ho Sake To - Bandini

*Her favourite Ilyaraja song: Sathya Valaiyosai

Posted by: gop Sep 28 2011, 03:38 PM

Wishing a very very happy birthday to Nightingale. Long live Lataji.

gop

Posted by: Sharmila-Sweet Sep 28 2011, 04:25 PM

Bhansali's homage to the most beautiful woman in the world, Lata Mangeshkar

By Subhash K. Jha, September 28, 2011 - 13:36 IST

No, it isn't Aishwarya Rai Bachchan. Though Sanjay Leela Bhansali has worked in three of his best films with most beautiful actress of the world, it is Lata Mangeshkar, who turned 83 this week, whom Bhansali considers the most beautiful woman in the world.

"Oh by far!" he exults. "Lataji defines beauty for me. To me she represents the shringar rasa in all its glory and in its purest form. She has the rare beauty that Mother Teresa possessed. Beauty lies in her simplicity, her grace, her gentle yet no-nonsense demeanor. Her beauty is in her mystique, not self-created like some of our entertainers. Her mystique is not defined by something as mundane as inaccessibility, Lataji can and does speak warmly to you for hours. And yet you know you are not allowed into the most private areas of her heart. You wouldn't even dare to go there."

Says the passionate filmmaker, "Her life and her dedication to her art have inspired me the most. To me, her story is the most inspiring aspect of my life. We all strive for excellence. Lataji is the only human being who has attained human perfection."

There is a deeper connectivity between Lataji's past and the humble environment that Bhansali grew up in. "Every time I hear of her struggle, of all the tough times she had to go through from an early age, I get a lump in my throat. Every time I hear of her poverty and how she braved through years of struggle, I wonder, 'Did all this misery really fall on this woman of such breathtaking talent?' And I feel my struggle has been so meager in comparison."

Another reason why Bhansali finds Lataji the most beautiful woman he has ever encountered is her definition of power. "When Lataji walks into restaurant or a recording or any public place, people reflexively stand up in reverence. I witnessed this phenomenon with my own eyes. When she entered every single person in the room stood up and stopped talking. I haven't seen this with any other artiste. I once had the privilege of being at her recording when she came to sing the timeless R.D.Burman composition 'Kuch Na Kaho' for my mentor Vidhu Vinod Chopra. When she arrived we all followed her to the lift. But when she went in, no one dared enter the lift with her. She looked at us standing frozen outside, smiled and then the door closed. I ran up four flights of stairs to be at the top to receive her when the lift opened. Whether I reached there on time, I won't tell."

Ends Bhansali, "Is she really 83? To me she is timeless; ageless....a work of beauty so flawless that the ravages of time cannot touch her spirit. I am told a song by Lata Mangeshkar is played every minute of the day at some place on this earth. I believe that. I can't imagine a world without her and her voice."

Posted by: Sharmila-Sweet Sep 29 2011, 10:05 AM

Lata Mangeshkar's birthday concert

pIX:

http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/stills/partiesnevents/Big_B_at_Lata_Mangeshkar%27s_birthday_concert/index.html

Posted by: Sharmila-Sweet Sep 29 2011, 10:34 AM

'I did sing well,' Lata Mangeshkar reflects at 82

http://www.rediff.com/movies/slide-show/slide-show-1-lata-mangeshkar-celebrates-birthday/20110928.htm

Posted by: Sharmila-Sweet Sep 30 2011, 10:29 AM

Lata Mangeshkar honoured with Hridaynath Mangeshkar award

By Bollywood Hungama News Network, September 29, 2011 - 17:05 IST

Lata Mangeshkar was honoured with the first Hridaynath Mangeshkar award for her outstanding contribution to Indian music at a glittering function yesterday and was gifted a cheque of Rs. 1 lakh, a trophy and a shawl by none other than Amitabh Bachchan. The said award has been instituted by Hridayesh Art; a city- based socio-cultural organization.

After receiving the award, the melody queen showered praise on her brother Hridaynath Mangeshkar, in whose name the award is being given. Speaking on the occasion, Lata didi said, "Hridaynath and my other three sisters never sought any financial help from me." She also added that "I consider you (Amitabh) as God as far as speaking in Hindi is concerned. I am proud that I have got the award from Amitabh Bachchan." In his traditional baritone voice, Big B said, "I pray to god to give us a long life so that we can hear Lata for years to come."

In the same event, Lata felicitated Yash Chopra, Sunidhi Chauhan, Kavitha Krishnamurthy, Sonu Nigam, Suresh Wadkar, Sudesh Bhosale and Bela Shende.

http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/features/2011/09/29/7971/index.html

Posted by: Sharmila-Sweet Oct 3 2011, 10:59 AM

Lata Mangeshkar Launches Album "Samagra"

http://www.indiaglitz.com/channels/hindi/gallery/events/29868.html

Posted by: Sharmila-Sweet Oct 13 2011, 11:14 AM

Jagjit's voice initially seen not suited for films - Lata Mangeshkar
By IANS, 12 October 2011, Filmicafe.com

Lata Mangeshkar recalls how the voice of late singer Jagjit Singh was initially seen as not suited for film heroes but he later got popular in movies after his success outside Bollywood.

The first time Lata heard about Jagjit was when she was recording with the ghazal-composing genius Madan Mohan.

“I asked Madan why he didn’t get this new singer to sing for him. Somewhere Jagjit’s voice was not seen suited for film heroes at that time,” Lata told us.

“When I heard his voice I was bowled over. I used to tell music composers about his promising voice. But I guess he was destined to find fame outside movies. Of course, that changed. As time passed, his voice became a household name and he sang for many film heroes,” she added.

Lata remembered going ballistic over a song by Jagjit who passed away two days ago.

“It was ‘Sarakti jaye hai rukh se naqaab ahista ahista’. I just couldn’t get it out of my head. I bought the album ‘The Unforgettables’ which contained that ghazal,” she said.

In 1991, Lata recorded the historic album “Sajda” with Jagjit. It remains to this day a classic.

“Initially ‘Sajda’ was supposed to have only my singing and Jagjit’s compositions. I told him we had to have his singing in ‘Sajda’. This was my chance to sing with a voice I had liked for years. I wasn’t going to let go of it that easily,” she said.

“My only request to him was to not give me ghazals about sharaab (alcohol) and mehkhana (bar). He said he was against ghazals that extolled intoxication,” she added.

The 82-year-old singer recalled Jagjit getting emotional when she sang his composition “Dard se mera daaman bhar de”.

“He was going through a time of personal tragedy. The song touched his heart. But my song from ‘Sajda’ that both Jagjit and (his wife) Chitra liked the best was ‘Dhuan banake fiza mein uda diya mujhko.”

Jagjit even released Lata’s ghazal album “Saadgi” in 2007.

The ghazal king died at the Lilavati Hospital here Monday following brain haemorrhage. He was 70.

The singer gave the industry memorable numbers like “Hontho se chhoo lo tum” (”Prem Geet”), “Tumko dekha toh yeh khayal aaya” (”Saath Saath”), “Jhuki jhuki si nazar” (”Arth”), “Hoshwalon ko khabar kya” (”Sarfarosh”) and “Badi nazuk hai” (”Jogger’s Park”).

Posted by: Sharmila-Sweet Nov 8 2011, 11:24 AM

Lata to receive K.L. Saigal award
By IANS, 7 November, 2011
Legendary singer Lata Mangeshkar will be honoured with the K.L. Saigal award by Savitri Vikas Samiti here on Nov 17.

According to Anita Srivastava, from Savitri Vikas Samiti, Lata will receive the award from music legend M.Z. Khayyam, at a ceremony to be held at Siri Fort Auditorium.

The 82-year-old will also be felicitated with lifetime achievement award along with her brother Hridaynath Mangeshkar and the brother-sister duo will be present to receive their awards.

Others to be honoured for their achievements by Savitri Vikas Samiti are veteran actor Jeetendra, Prem Chopra and Sanjay Kapoor; composer Ravindra Jain, singers Penaz Masani, Jagjit Kaur, Sonu Nigam and Aakriti Kakkar; and late filmmaker Surendra Kapoor.

The event will have musical performance by Prem Bhatia and Group.

‘I am glad to be able to organise this programme. It is a magical evening with legends like Lataji. K.L Saigal awards are given in memory of Saigal saab and he will be remembered always,’ Bhatia said.

Posted by: Sharmila-Sweet Apr 24 2012, 03:35 PM

Yash Chopra is producing/directing a new movie with SRK and Katrina with music by Rahman.

Just hope there is atleast ONE song (even background) by Lataji

Posted by: Sharmila-Sweet Apr 25 2012, 09:18 AM

http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/more/photos/view/stills/parties/id/1431684

Pics

Posted by: Sharmila-Sweet Apr 26 2012, 03:32 PM

Video

http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/more/videos/view/id/1431554

Posted by: Sharmila-Sweet May 21 2012, 10:46 AM

..lata Mangeshkar joins Javed Akhtar's fight for copyright

By Subhash K Jha | IANS India Private Limited – 12 hours ago
....
EmailPrint......Mumbai, May 20 (IANS) Bollywood's Nightingale lata Mangeshkar says she is totally with Javed Akhtar in his fight to secure royalty rights for singers and lyricists.

"I'm a 110 percent with Javed Saab. My only fear is, how will he cope with all the backlash coming his way from producers and music companies who are very angry and upsetIJ I fought for royalty for singers in the 1960s. I had even stopped recording songs at that time while other singers who didn't support my cause continued to record. My mission collapsed. My colleagues didn't get the point. If a songwriter like Javed Saab had spoken up alongside me in the 1960s, a change in copyright rules would have occurred long back. Javed Saab is fighting a much wider battle. Singers and other musicians often die in penury," lata said.

She feels she is being deprived of her rightful royalties. "The music company Saregama HMV has nearly all my songs. They are putting my songs in various compilations of Naushad, Salil Chowdhary, Bappi lahiri,etc. What do I get from thisIJ I don't get any royalty. Now there is internet and the MP3 format. On top of that, the serials on television play my songs. It's the music company that gives them permission to play my songs. Is that correctIJ There's a popular serial 'Bade Achche lagte Hain'. Even the title of the serial is from a popular song by Amit Kumar."

"Javed Saab is fighting a brave battle. But the time to fight battles for film music is gone. Where are the singers and song writers with durable contentIJ Today I see my songs being sung on television by other singers. Even my face is used. But I am not singing. Is there any way of stopping such practicesIJ However what Javed Saab is doing fully justified. But even if the amendment becomes a law, how can the music companies be controlled," lata asked.

Said Javed: "What lataji fought to achieve in the 1960s has now come to fruition. She feels she should have spoken up in parliament about the issue. But I say, she is the queen and it up to us, her followers, to ensure her dream is fulfilled. The singer has now been given a moral right over the song. This has not happened anywhere else in the world. What more could I wantIJ We've fulfilled what lataji had set out to do for musicians 50 years ago. When she was gracious enough to come to release the Marathi translation of my poems on Saturday I told lataji that we're near achieving what she had set out to achieve."

"In recent times, the desecration of songs has attained epidemic proportions. They take the songs of lataji and add rap and jhankar sections to them. When I hear a new version of 'Mera lal dupatta mal-mal ka', I feel like crying. If there are people who feel this kind of remix invites youngsters to listen to the classics, then by the same logic strobe lights should be added to the Taj Mahal during weekends so that youngsters can go and dance in the moonlight. This is absurd logic. Now they won't be able to make these additions without the singer's permission," Javed added.
..

Posted by: Sharmila-Sweet May 21 2012, 12:20 PM

Lata Mangeshkar unveils Javed Akhtar's book
Published: Monday, May 21, 2012 on 0:56 IST

PICS:

http://www.dnaindia.com/entertainment/slideshow_lata-mangeshkar-unveils-javed-akhtar-s-book_1691589#top

Posted by: Sharmila-Sweet Jun 15 2012, 09:45 AM

http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/news/1452487/Lata-Mangeshkar-remembers-Mehdi-Haasan

Lata-Mangeshkar-remembers-Mehdi-Haasan

Posted by: Sharmila-Sweet Jun 15 2012, 09:56 AM

My bad luck that I could not sing with Mehdi Hassan: Lata Mangeshkar

Agencies : New Delhi, Thu Jun 14 2012, 16:14 hrs

Melody queen Lata Mangeshkar, a great admirer of Mehdi Hassan, regrets missing the chance to sing with the ghazal king.

The two greats did come together for a rare duet called 'Tera Milna' but their voices were recorded separately and mixed later.

Hassan died in a Karachi hospital yesterday following multiple organ failure. He was 84.

"It is my bad luck that I could not sing with him when he was healthy and active. Now, I can only regret. His death has left a huge void in music. Last year we lost Jagjit Singh and now Mehdi Hassan," said Lata.

Following his illness in the late 80s, Hassan cut down on his singing but he was very keen to record a song with Lata.

An album "Sarhadein" with their first and last duet "Tera Milna" was released in 2010. Hassan composed the song himself.

He recorded his part in Pakistan in 2009 and Lata recorded her version in India in 2010, which was mixed later.

Unfortunately, Hassan was so ill by that time that he could not understand the song.

"When our one and only duet was launched, we sent him tapes of that but he was critically ill at that time and could not understand the song. It is very unfortunate," said the Bharat Ratna awardee.

Recalling her first meeting with Hassan, Lata, 82, said it was in Toronto years back.

"My first meeting with him was in Toronto. I don't remember the year but it was ages back. He was performing there with Farida Khanum and I was in Kingston. I went to Toronto to meet him. He stood up on the stage and welcomed me very warmly.

"We met 3-4 times after that. In fact, during his illness also, he came to my home in Mumbai and had lunch with my family."

Hassan was one of Lata's favourite singers.

"Everyone liked him, admired him. Singers like him are born once in a millennium. All his songs are good. One of my favourite is 'gulon mein rang bhare'. I have some of rare cassettes of his live concerts in London," said Lata.

Posted by: Sharmila-Sweet Oct 24 2012, 05:05 PM

Nothing had prepared me for Yash Chopra's death: Lata
Tue, 2012-10-23 22:23 —

They had a 53-year-old association and therefore the news of Yash Chopra's death was like a bolt from the blue for singing legend Lata Mangeshkar.

Yash Chopra died Sunday after multi-organ failure. He was 80.

"The news of Yashji going came as a bolt from the blue. Nothing had prepared me for this loss. I had been told he was down with dengue... I was planning to visit him in the hospital. But that visit kept getting put off because of problems in the family. Now I will never be able to see him," said Lata, who is three years older to him.

"I have lost a true friend and dear brother. He loved me to death. He had made it clear that I'd have to sing for all his films from the time he turned director with 'Dhool Ka Phool' in 1959. I think I sang for all his films except 'Waqt'," she added.

She feels he was not only a master storyteller, but also had a good sense of music.

"When he turned into an independent producer with 'Daag' in 1973, he sat and explained the story to me and the situation for every song. He had a great music sense, though he couldn't sing himself. His wife Pam (Pamela) not only sang, she also had a good knowledge of Hindustani classical music, which Yashji lacked. Together they created an atmosphere for those timeless scores in Yashji's films.

"One thing that you'd always find in the music of a Yash Raj's film is a number based on Punjabi rhythms. Yashji had a penchant for Punjabi songs and had to have one of them in all his films. He had an amazing sense of poetry too. That was evident in the songs and music of 'Kabhi Kabhie'," she said.

For the future generation, Yash Chopra has left behind a treasure to learn from, she says.

"He was an entire institution in filmmaking. He made every frame look so beautiful. There's so much misery, squalor and poverty in real life. The man on the street went to see a Yash Chopra film to live a dream where everything was picture-perfect, where women were lovely visions in chiffon saris shot against picturesque backdrops in Switzerland and Amsterdam (Netherlands). I am proud and privileged to have given voice to Yashji's lovely heroines.

"But Yashji and I were bonded on a much level deeper than the professional. He genuinely loved me. Cinema was his passion. All the money that he made went back into making films. I hadn't met Yashji for some time now. He kept asking me to come over to his studio (of which he was very proud) and to his home where Pam and Yashji made me feel like family. I will miss that warmth and hospitality. My heart reaches out to Pamji," Lata said.

Posted by: ShreeD Oct 29 2012, 04:35 AM

[quote name='Sharmila-Sweet' date='Oct 24 2012, 11:35 AM' post='713410']
Nothing had prepared me for Yash Chopra's death: Lata
Tue, 2012-10-23 22:23 —

Thanks for this post.

Shree

Posted by: Sharmila-Sweet May 2 2013, 11:42 AM

Lata Mangeshkar feels grateful people still like her songs
IANS | Apr 26, 2013, 12.00 AM IST

Singing legend Lata Mangeshkar has completed 71 years in the industry this year and says she is grateful to people for liking her songs even today.

"This year I have completed 71 years in the industry and even today people like my songs. I am very happy and grateful to all of them," Lata, who recently launched her music company, told reporters at an awards function.

Her first song was Mata ek sapoot ki duniya badal de tu for 1943 Marathi film Gajaabhaau. She was just 13 at that time.

In a career spanning over seven decades, the 83-year-old has recorded songs for more than 1,000 films in 36 languages.

She also featured in the Guinness Book of World Records (from 1974 to 1991) for having made the most recordings in the world.

Some of her evergreen hits are Aaja re pardesi, Pyar kiya toh darna kya, Ajeeb dastaan hai ye, Aaj phir jeene ki tamanna hai, Lag ja gale and Rangeela re.

Lata also launched two CDs of her father's songs under her music company at the Wednesday event.

"I have started LM Music Company for which HMV has given me all the rights of my father's songs and I am happy to release two of those CDs today under my music company," she said.