I still miss Rafi and Kishore: Lata Mangeshkar
An article from hindu.com
Melody queen Lata Mangeshkar who has over the years mesmerised people with her voice, gave her audience a chance to listen to her once more – this time in a different tune, with noted singer Sonu Nigam being her host.
In a tete-e-tete with Sonu organised by Radio City on Friday for their listeners, Lata confessed that though she loved singing even at this age, she missed legendary singers and her friends like Mohd Rafi and Kishore Kumar, with whom she used to enjoy recording songs. I miss my friends like Mohd Rafi and Kishore who are no more, she said in a nostalgic mood, remembering the old times and how she had learnt music from some of the most famous and talented musicians in the country.
Getting into the grip of a radio interview, she talked about her life saying, ‘Born in Indore, my father used to run his own drama company and he taught me music. He loved me a lot and use to call me ‘Lata baba’. He passed away when I was 13 years old and I had to join films after that. He never hit us when we were kids, he used to talk through his eyes and we used to only see his eyes and start crying,” she remembered.
On her association with some music stalwarts, she said: ‘I learnt a lot from music directors like Anil Biswas. For example, he taught me while singing when I should release my breath. I did ‘riyaz’ on that, that was in 1948.
On being prodded by Sonu about her relations with showman Raj Kapoor, the nightingale of Indian music industry said: ‘‘I had a fight with Raj Kapoor because I wanted royalty on the songs which I sung for him, to which Raj Kapoor said –‘ if all stars come to us and start asking for royalty, you think we will give them?’ But I was still adamant and Raj Kapoor had to finally give in.
On her another strained tint with Raj, Lata said, Actually, during the making of Satyam Shivam Sundaram, Rajji told me he wanted Hridaynath Mangeshkar as music director since the music in the film was classical. To which I said okay and I had to leave for US on a music tour. I don’t know what happened but the film was eventually given to Laxmikant Pyeralal. I spoke to Rajji about this and I was very angry and decided that I would not sing for the film.
However, she said music directors Laxmikant Pyrelal cajoled her to sing, and it was only after the advice of her guru that she sang for the movie, getting the song passed in one take. When Sonu asked her the secret of her refined Hindi and Urdu accent, she fondly replied: Mohammed Rafi used to treat me as his sister. He sent somebody to teach me Urdu. I learnt how to speak Urdu and a little bit of Arabic. I have also learnt a little bit of Tamil as I wanted to see a Tamil movie. But I know very little Tamil. I did it because people would also wonder that since I am a Marathi, my diction would not be correct.
She appreciated the compositions of music director S D Burman and his son R D Burman and said their knowledge about music was immense and they knew all nuances of a song. On a personal front, divulging a bit into her likings, Lata said that she loved to travel, but could not do it much these days as she had been suffering from arthritis.
I truely appreciate the comments about Rafi sahab and Kishoreda.I would have also appreciated few nice words about Mukeshji, with whom Lataji was very close.Infact Mukeshji was instrumental in shining Lataji’s career in early years.
ye duniya ye mahfil mere kam ki nahi it is my favoraite song of rafi sahab film:- heer ranjha i taught i want became rafi sahab.
rafi sahab is my life because they are great singer and also i am singer my voice is match like rafi sahab.
Rafi sahab is and was the ALL TIME GREAT SINGER,no one can match the great man’s ability,i wish he could have lived for some more time atleast since such kind of great great singer will not come again
i am so sorry. ref my earlier post. pls read it as
tootey hue khwabo ne in stead of tootey hue aankhon mein.
i am so sorry.
I am sorry to say whether it has been edited due to lack of space or lata mangeshkar did not mention about a legendary personality. She has spoken about Anil Biswas sahab, Sachin devburman sahab, R.D.Burman, Kishore ji, lakshmikant- Pyarelal & our own rafi sahab. This legendary personality is non other than the great salil choudhury sahab. Salil daa took the best out of Lata & made her to sing these time immemorial numbers.
1. O sajna, barkha bahaar ayi
2. Naa jiya lagenaa
3. Aha rimjhim ke ye pyare pyare with Talat sahab
4. Tasweer teri dil mein with our rafi sahab
5. ajare mein to kab se khadi is paar
6. Zulmi sang aankh ladi rey
7. Ghadi ghadi mora dil dhadke
8. Dil tadap tadap ke with mukesh ji
9. rajni gandha phool tumhare
10 Dayyare dayyare chadgayo papi bichua with manna daa
salil sahab was such a music director that a person with the knowledge of key board can only experience. The mad running of fingers on the octave can only speak the extra ordinary talent of salil sahab. of course its a matter of great surprise that a legend of such a repute could utilise the services of our legend in a limited number like,
1. Jangal mein mor nacha kisine na dekha
2. Tootey hue aankhon mein
both from madhumati & both are the land marks even till today.
Rafi and Lata were the best pair for singing duets,,,though she combined well with all the other as well ,,as she was the only lad singer needed by music directors,,,best of lata was that period when she was with all the big oldies It was a time with best of every things lyrics, music and singer combination,,,What ever Lataji said there was told by her all the time when ever people ask that question ,,,good reminder for the reader,,,thank Q
kaash rafi sahib itni jaldi na jate . mein he nahi har sangeet premi unhe har pal yaad karta hai , kyonki unjaisa singer doobara janam nahi le sakta. i pray to god pls give second birth to great rafi ,
lata mangeshkar can not forget rafisaab becoz both gave us the most memorable n melodious duets to be cherished for many generations to come…both r icons of playback singing…both r versatile n stalwarts in their own way..nobody can equal them or surpass or come near talent n godgifted quality in their voice…..both hv tremendous patience n rare quality of emotional singing…..golden duets…we can never forget ….rafisaab who gave us thousands hits with another legend lata….longlive golden …..voices of rafi lata…..future generation will worship them so much as we now….
DEAR MOHAN FLORA,
I THINK MEDIA IS MAKING A HOPELESS PUBLICITY OF THOSE NUTORIOUS SISTERS.
I DON’T CARE WHEREEVER SHE GOES , ONE THING WILL REMAIN FACT AND LATA AND ASHA’S HEART ALSO KNOWS THAT RAFI SAHAB WAS A TRUE HUMAN WITH WHOM THEY MESSED AND ALSO MESSED WITH MDS CAREER.
I THINK WE HUMANS ONLY HAVE RIGHT TO FORGIVE AND FORGET ONLY ALMIGHTY GOD HAS THE POWER TO PUNISH , BUT THESE SISTERS CROSSED THE RULE AND THEY HAVE , WILL PAY FOR THIS.
REGARDS
SAGAR
Lata, Asha may move home from Peddar Rd
Nauzer Bharucha
[ 28 Aug, 2006 2345hrs ISTTIMES NEWS NETWORK ]
RSS Feeds| SMS NEWS to 8888 for latest updates
MUMBAI: Is the controversial flyover at Peddar Road finally forcing the legendary sister duo of Lata Mangeshkar and Asha Bhosle to move out of their Prabhu Kunj residence? It would seem so after their recent investments in residential properties which are a mere 15-minute drive from their Peddar Road home of more than four decades.
TOI has learnt that about three months ago, the veteran singers purchased two sprawling apartments in the heart of the mill land area of Parel. Real estate sources have confirmed that the sisters have booked flats in Casa Grande, the upcoming residential towers in the Matulya Mill compound on Tulsi Pipe Road. Two towers, each about 23 floors high, are being constructed by the developer, Ashford Housing.
When contacted, Latadidi, as she is popularly known, declined to comment. “I don’t wish to say anything on this,” said the diva of song as she emerged from the Ganesha aarti on Monday evening.
Asha Bhosle, 73, has booked a duplex – about 4,000 sq ft in size – on the third and fourth floors of the tower while her elder sister, 78, has settled for a 2,000 sq ft apartment in the second tower. If real estate sources are to be believed, the sisters must have spent roughly Rs 8 crore to Rs 9 crore collectively for the two flats. The rates in the two towers are about Rs 15,000 to Rs 17,000 per sq ft.
Ever since the Peddar Road flyover project was announced by the state government more than five years ago, the sisters have threatened to pack up and leave. At one stage, the media had even quoted Asha Bhosle as saying that she would shift to Dubai if the flyover came up.
Lata Mangeshkar had once jokingly said she would be able to shake hands with motorists on the flyover from her balcony. For several years now, both the sisters have been complaining about the increasing noise and air pollution on Peddar Road, which is one of the most congested arterial stretches in south Mumbai.
The singing duo owns two flats on the first floor of Prabhu Kunj building where they have been staying with their families since the early 1960s. Latadidi lives in one of the flats with her brother Hridayanath and his family, and their sister Usha Mangeshkar.
Asha Bhosle resides with her son Anand and his family in another apartment. Bhosle’s daughter also lives with her.
Those close to them say that the family has been growing, hence its need to find a larger residential space.
Hi Sagar!
Lata, Asha may move home from Peddar Rd
Nauzer Bharucha
[ 28 Aug, 2006 2345hrs ISTTIMES NEWS NETWORK ]
RSS Feeds| SMS NEWS to 8888 for latest updates
MUMBAI: Is the controversial flyover at Peddar Road finally forcing the legendary sister duo of Lata Mangeshkar and Asha Bhosle to move out of their Prabhu Kunj residence? It would seem so after their recent investments in residential properties which are a mere 15-minute drive from their Peddar Road home of more than four decades.
TOI has learnt that about three months ago, the veteran singers purchased two sprawling apartments in the heart of the mill land area of Parel. Real estate sources have confirmed that the sisters have booked flats in Casa Grande, the upcoming residential towers in the Matulya Mill compound on Tulsi Pipe Road. Two towers, each about 23 floors high, are being constructed by the developer, Ashford Housing.
When contacted, Latadidi, as she is popularly known, declined to comment. “I don’t wish to say anything on this,” said the diva of song as she emerged from the Ganesha aarti on Monday evening.
Asha Bhosle, 73, has booked a duplex – about 4,000 sq ft in size – on the third and fourth floors of the tower while her elder sister, 78, has settled for a 2,000 sq ft apartment in the second tower. If real estate sources are to be believed, the sisters must have spent roughly Rs 8 crore to Rs 9 crore collectively for the two flats. The rates in the two towers are about Rs 15,000 to Rs 17,000 per sq ft.
Ever since the Peddar Road flyover project was announced by the state government more than five years ago, the sisters have threatened to pack up and leave. At one stage, the media had even quoted Asha Bhosle as saying that she would shift to Dubai if the flyover came up.
Lata Mangeshkar had once jokingly said she would be able to shake hands with motorists on the flyover from her balcony. For several years now, both the sisters have been complaining about the increasing noise and air pollution on Peddar Road, which is one of the most congested arterial stretches in south Mumbai.
The singing duo owns two flats on the first floor of Prabhu Kunj building where they have been staying with their families since the early 1960s. Latadidi lives in one of the flats with her brother Hridayanath and his family, and their sister Usha Mangeshkar.
Asha Bhosle resides with her son Anand and his family in another apartment. Bhosle’s daughter also lives with her.
Those close to them say that the family has been growing, hence its need to find a larger residential space.
Taken from “Lata Mangeshkar, The Living Legend”, biography:
Generations of composers, heroines and film makers have looked upto Lata as their source of inspiration. Raj Kapoor regarded Lataji as a re-incarnation of Goddess Saraswati. He made an entire film ‘Satyam Shivam Sundaram’ on her incredible vocal skills. Films have sold on the strength of her vocals and gone on to become history. Lata has reigned through Father and Son composing teams. A rare honour for a rare artiste. Sardar Malik and Anu Malik, Roshan & Rajesh Roshan, S.D.Burman & R.D.Burman, Chiragupt & Anand Milind.
Co-artistes have been kept on their feet by the small wonder. Duets with Lata were always a healthy competition between colleagues. Rafi, Mukesh, Kishore, Manna da would be amazed by the sudden last minute improvisations in the final take. Improvisations that took the song beyond the stipulations of the compositions into the realm of eternity. This unpredictability, this heightened anticipation gave that added edge to scores of duets sung with other legends. Much of this friendly rivalry was indulged in by Lataji with another formidable artiste Mohd. Rafi . Workaholic, perfectionist, master technician, brilliantly versatile Rafi matched her ‘Gayaki’ note to note.
Rafi saab my heart gos out for a thought that you are not with us anymore but trust us you live in the hearts of millions of us who love you. You gave us the songs which we cherish with love and joy. You are truly the greatest singer produced by India and loved by miilions across the world.
Saleem (UK)
Yes Rafi saab you will and remain the greatest singer ever.
Khalid Rashid
Yu to hamne laakh gaayak suney hai
Tumsa nahin suna
Rafi saab u were, u r and u will remain the greatest singer for all times
p k viswanath
Bhagwan kare rafi sahab ke baare me hamesha isi tarah se baatein hoti rahe.Jo kuch bhi unke baare me kaha jaye kam hi lagta hai.
I agree, let us hope that GOD/Allah will give her a long staying here on earth. Rafi sahaab wherever you are, my sincer greetings to you…
Rafi Lata Duets are the greatest songs
Nice interview of melody queen…