Evergreen songs: Sharmila Tagore with Rajesh Khanna in Aradhana; with Dharmendra in Anupama; and with Khanna in Amar Prem.
Lata ji is timeless. She cannot be confined to any decade or era. She is the polestar, a constant on the firmament.
I cannot remember the first time we met, but her voice was always around me. I was just a year old when her ‘Aayega Aanewala’ from Mahal became a major hit. I remember that my mother often sang it to me.
I think I must have met her at one of the film award functions at Shanmukhananda Hall in Mumbai. In those days, the entire industry came to salute the winners, unlike now, when only those who are getting awards or performing attend the event. It was not a visual age then. The famous stars were rarely seen in public, unlike now, when one’s presence on social media is so important and everyone is constantly interacting with their fans. So, seeing her at the event was a big occasion for me.
My association with her has always been one of awe and respect. She was much too senior. I had a closer association with Asha Bhosle, with whom I also did some public appearances. My first playback singer was Asha ji (Kashmir Ki Kali). Lata ji sang for me much later; I think it was in Devar (‘Duniya Me Aisa Kahan Sab Ka Naseeb Hai’) .
I remember seeing her at a recording once. In those days, actors often sat with composers and singers during composing and recordings; actresses never really did so. But Shakti ji (Samanta) invited me to accompany him to a recording for Aradhana. It was a memorable experience. I was her fan and I was floored. I remember her walking in, and we immediately felt that we were in the midst of a presence.
She read the music sheet for around 10 minutes, smiled at all of us, spoke for some time with S.D. Burman and warmly greeted the members of the orchestra. Then she entered the recording cubicle and began to sing. It was pitch perfect in the very first attempt. I was told that she rarely had to do a second take. She understood what her composers wanted, whether it was Madan Mohan, Salil Chowdhury et al. I remember that Kishore da would sit and perform, Lata ji and Mohammed Rafi would always stand and sing.
She sang so many songs for me that it is difficult to choose which my favourite is. The ones I am very fond of are ‘Kuch Dil Ne Kaha’, ‘Raina Beeti Jaaye’, ‘Gar Tum Bhula Na Doge’, ‘Aaj Ko Junli Raat Ma’ and ‘Khai Hai Re Humne Kasam’. But, there are so many other songs, too, not necessarily with me, which are also so very beautiful. Her collaboration with Gulzar sahib gave us some of the best melodies. I am particularly fond of ‘Humne Dekhi Hai Un Aankhon Ki Mehakti Khushboo’.
We were neighbours in Mumbai. I had a flat in Rashmi Building on Carmichael Road, and she lived very close by in Prabhu Kunj on Pedder Road. I would often see her pass by in one of her fancy cars.
Lata ji was not only very fond of cricket, she was also very knowledgeable on the subject. Her favourites were Sachin Tendulkar and Sunil Gavaskar, but she had a special affection for my husband; we often met socially at the Cricket Club of India, where Test matches were played then. Tiger was a huge fan of hers.
One of our treasured family pictures is of Tiger with Lata ji, Madan Mohan and Talat Mahmood. It was taken much before I entered his life. He had heard she was recording somewhere, and went, like the fan he was, to meet her. I, unfortunately, do not have a picture with her. In our times, there were no mobile phones. I do not think even if I got the opportunity, I would have had the courage to ask her for a picture. I was always so overawed by her. I feel privileged that she sang for me. I know that it enhanced my performance. And I feel so happy that she sang for both my children’s (Soha and Saif) films.
Lata ji had a very long innings. Her personal and public life was flawless. Over seven decades, amazingly, she continued to reinvent herself to suit one generation after another and kept her audience spellbound. She was a private person, but deeply engaged with her family and friends.
She had other passions apart from music. Cricket was one. The other was photography. She was a wildlife enthusiast and captured some brilliant shots with her state-of-the art camera and lenses. She loved cars. I think these interests, beyond her world of music, enriched her and kept her youthful.
Lata ji also had a close knit family surrounding her. Her relationship with her brother, Hridaynath, has been truly special. Though much younger, they supported each other. He composed for her concerts and other performances beyond cinema.
She leaves behind a vast legacy. A voice like hers comes just once in a blue moon. Lata ji has been a seminal part of India’s history and her songs will continue to bind us together. Her voice will remain immortal and will be with us always.
As told to Rekha Dixit