It is end of an era in Indian music fraternity as legendary singer Lata Mangeshkar left for her heavenly abode today. While the entire nation is mourning the loss of the legend, ETimes caught up with Veteran lyricist Mehboob Kotwal.
He said, “It has been sad morning. I am extremely saddened to hear the news of Lata didi passing away. We are all heartbroken. Not just the people of India, but music lovers across the globe must be mourning her loss because I believe she has touched everyone’s soul through her voice. I feel fortunate that she has sung songs written by me – ‘Khamoshiyaan Gungunane Lagi’ from ‘One 2 Ka 4’ and ‘Maa Tujhe Salaam’ with AR Rahman.”
Sharing some fun anecdote with the veteran singer, Mehboob added, “Lata didi was very childlike. I remember when I first met her she addressed me as ‘Mehboob Bhai’. I told her that she is too elder to me to be calling me bhai. So I urged her to call me ‘Mehboob’. Didi said, ‘Thik hai Mehboob Bhai, main aapko Mehboob Bhai hi bulaungi’. She didn’t listen. She was so humble in nature that she never thought of anyone as below her.”
“When we were recording ‘Maa Tujhe Salaam’ with her, I wanted her to sing in a particular way. So I requested her, not sure if she would even take my advice. But to my surprise, she did. I felt very happy at that point. After the recording I heard her saying, ‘Kuch bhi bolo, Mehboob Bhai gawa ke hi rahe mujhe waisa’. When I went behind her and told her I was listening to her. She turned and started laughing. I can’t forget her innocent and melodious laughter even today. She blessed me by saying, ‘Aap bahut tarakki karoge’. I am very honourned and thankful to my God that a legendary singer like her, has sung my song and has blessed me. I just want to say may God bless her soul,” he concluded.
The legendary singer's last rites with full State honours will be conducted at 6.30 pm today.
