Dear Editor,
Please permit me to echo the sentiments expressed on the late Lata Mangeshkar. It will take much more than a column in the dailies to write about Lata but, the essay by G.H.K. Lall is especially worthy of mention, as it is more eloquent, and fitting.
I was 11 in 1951 when my elder brother made me aware that Indian movie songs were sung by playback singers. The lip sync was so good it fooled me. My favourite singer then was Shamshad Begum, who had a unique voice. Lata also recorded songs performed by male singers, including Mohamed Rafi, “Suhani Raat” (The beautiful night) from the 1949 popular movie, “Dulari,” Kishore Kumar’s “Koi Humdum Na Raha” (I have no support) from the 1961 movie, “Jhumroo,” and Mukesh’s “Kabhi Kabhi”(Sometimes) from the 1976 movie with the same name. It is truly amazing that the majority of those who love Bollywood movies and songs do not know Hindi and cannot appreciate the lyrics.
Lata was blessed with the voice of a nightingale and many have tried to imitate her golden voice. But, her singing was a gift from God, and, although there are many other talented female singers she dominated Bollywood for decades. Lata was humble and shy, yet, resolute, and unswerving. She outlived many other popular Bollywood playback singers, male and female, that included Mukesh, 1923-1976, Mohamed Rafi, 1924-1980, Kishore Kumar, 1929-1987 and Noor Jehan, 1926-2000. Lata has left behind two sisters, Asha, 87, with over 11,000 recordings, and Usha, 86, with over 600 recordings. There are many other great female Bollywood playback singers, including Anuradha Paudwal, 67, Alka Yagnik, 55, Shreya Goshal, 37, and Neha Kakkar, 33, but the name Lata Mangeshkar and her songs will remain indelible in the hearts of millions, in every corner of the world. Her State funeral was earned and most deserving. Lata was kind and generous as she shared her gift with thousands of her overseas fans, including Guyanese (1980). Several Bollywood singers also toured Guyana, including Mohamed Rafi (1965), Mukesh (1967), Alka Yagnik, and Udit Narayan (2013).
Select YouTube from your Smart Phone and play her rendition of the sad, soothing and soul searching song originally sung by Kishore Kumar from the movie, Jhumroo, “Koi Humdum Na Raha, Koi Sahara Na Raha Hum Kisi Ke Na Rahe Koi Hamara Na Raha” (I have no support nor soulmate. I belong to no one and no one belongs to me).
Indeed we belong to Allah, and indeed to Allah, we shall return (Holy Quran, 2:156).
Sincerely,
Mohamed Majeed
Florida
