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Nightingale of India Lata Mangeshkar passed away on Sunday, 6th February. A tribute by this author.
Having recorded in 36 plus Indian languages, as well as a few foreign languages, and having won all possible movie and national awards for singing, Lata Mangeshkar was a strong singing force to reckon with and an inspiration to many, including me.
Whatever little I have learnt in singing, whether it was Indian Classical or Rabindra Sangeet, it was all because of her mesmerizing voice that stirred my heart and inspired me during my growing up years, whenever I listened to Bollywood blockbuster songs.
Yes, I was never into – English songs, pop, jazz, metal, instrumental or even classical, but only and only Hindi movie songs, that too after I had seen them on the screen! Most of my favourites were sung by Lata Mangeshkar.
Her first impactful Bolly song for me, in my life, was ‘Yashodaa Kaa Nandalaalaa‘ from movie Sanjog (1985).
Those were my primary school days and since we were in a joint family system, my mother often used to sing it to my newly born cousin and alongside to her own children i.e. my siblings and myself.
We used to love this song, often sing it’s first few lines and intently hear it when mommy used to play Sanjog audio cassette on the tape recorder (rarely).
Post that I was hooked to quite a few of Lata ji’s songs throughout the late 80’s, the entire 90’s and even early 2000. They were –
‘Aate Jaate Hansate Gaate‘ and ‘Dil Deewana Bin Sajna Ke’ from Maine Pyar Kiya (1989)
‘Yaara Seeli Seeli’ from Lekin (1991). She won National Film Award for this song.
‘Mornii Baagama Bole‘ and ‘Kabhi Main Kahoon‘ from Lamhe (1991)
‘Sun Beliya‘ from 100 Days (1991)
‘Kabhi Tu Chhalia Lagta Hai‘ and ‘Tumse Jo Dekhte Hi Pyar Hua‘ from Patthar Ke Phool (1991)
‘Kuch Na Kaho‘ from 1942: A Love Story (1993)
‘Tu Mujhe Kabool‘ from Khuda Gawah (1993)
‘Goriya Re Goriya‘ from Aaina (1993)
‘Didi Tera Devar Deewana’ and ‘Maye Ni Maye‘ from Hum Aapke Hain Kaun..! (1994). She got Filmfare Special Award for the former one.
‘Ho Gaya Hai Tujhko‘ and ‘Tujhe Dekha To‘ from Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge (1995)
‘Are Re Are‘ and ‘Koi Ladki Hai‘ from Dil To Pagal Hai (1997)
‘Jiya Jale‘ from Dil Se.. (1998)
‘O Paalanhaare‘ from Lagaan (2001)
‘Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham‘ from Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham (2001)
Mostly I loved her combo with Sridevi and S. P. Balasubrahmanyam.
Strangely, S. P. ji was 17 years younger to Lata ji and 17 years elder to Sridevi ji! Sadly, all three are no more. They died within 2 years of each other, from youngest to oldest!
But much before I was hooked to Lata ji’s Bolly numbers, I was enchanted with her rendition of ‘Aye Mere Watan Ke Logo’ (1963).
This song commemorates the Indian soldiers who died during the Sino-Indian War in 1962.
It was and is invariably played loudly on loudspeakers every Independence and Republic Day.
Even in school, out of all the patriotic songs that we were taught, I always liked this one the most. In fact I still sing it with my little niece and nephew.
Thank you Lata ji for enchanting three generations with your beautiful voice and making Hindi cinema more magical for cinema enthusiasts like us.
Today, as you bid adieu to this iconic avatar of yours, we can only wish you peace and a better existence hereafter.
Om Shanti.
Prity Poddar is the leading vegetarian Food Blogger of Kolkata. She pens her food posts on her food blog and thirty plus local, national and international food groups and multi social media platforms, like – Facebook, read more...
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Rajshri Deshpande, who played the fiery protagonist in Trial by Fire along with Abhay Deol speaks of her journey and her social work.
Rajshri Deshpande as the protagonist in ‘Trial by Fire’, the recent Netflix show has received raving reviews along with the show itself for its sensitive portrayal of the Uphaar Cinema Hall fire tragedy, 1997 and its aftermath.
The limited series is based on the book by the same name written by Neelam and Shekhar Krishnamoorthy, who lost both their children in the tragedy. We got an opportunity to interview Rajshri Deshpande who played Neelam Krishnamoorthy, the woman who has been relentlessly crusading in the court for holding the owners responsible for the sheer negligence.
Rajshri Deshpande is more than an actor. She is also a social warrior, the rare celebrity from the film industry who has also gone back to her roots to give to poverty struck farming villages in her native Marathwada, with her NGO Nabhangan Foundation. Of course a chance to speak with her one on one was a must!
“What is a woman’s job, Ramesh? Taking care of parents-in-law, husband, children, home and things at work—all at the same time? She isn’t God or a superhuman."
The arrays of workstations were occupied by people peering into their computer screens. The clicks of keyboard keys were punctuated by the occasional footsteps moving around to brainstorm or collaborate with colleagues in their cubicles. Most employees went about their tasks without looking at the person seated on either side of their workstation. Meenakshi was one of them.
The thirty-one-year-old marketing manager in a leading eCommerce company in India sat straight in her seat, her eyes on the screen, her fingers punching furiously into the keys. She was in a flow and wanted to finish the report while the thoughts and words were coming effortlessly into her mind.
Natu-Natu. The mellifluous ringtone interrupted her thoughts. She frowned at her mobile phone with half a mind to keep it ringing until she noticed the caller’s name on the screen, making her pick up the phone immediately.
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