Lata Mangeshkar talks about her Sufi Album

By Subhash K. Jha -

May 7, 2014 - 5:34 AM IST

Singing legend, Lata Mangeshkar, 84, releases new album of Sufi songs for the first time. She speaks to Subhash K Jha about music, Amitabh Bachchan, Ranbir Kapoor.

Your new album coincides with your father the great Dinanath Mangeshkar's death anniversary?

Jee haan. We released my new album on my father's death anniversary on April 24 for my label L M Music. It's called Ya Rabba. For the first time I've sung Sufi devotional songs. I know they are very much the trend these days. But I've never gone by what the market wants. I've always followed my heart.

Lata Mangeshkar talks about her Sufi Album

So what made you do a Sufi album?

My nephew Baijnath. He has composed the numbers and sung a duet in the album with me. If it wasn't for him I wouldn't have attempted this genre. But Bainath is so shy he doesn't even say anything beyond a hello and a bye to even me. I had to virtually coax him into doing the album.

You do go all out for your family, don't you?

It isn't as if they ever ask me to do anything for them. My brother Hridaynath whom I consider one of the most talented musicians in this country, never asked me to recommend him to my producers. Unko jitna mila apne lagan aur haq se mila. My family is too self-respecting to seek favours from anyone including me. Like I said I took the initiative for this album. Because I wanted Baijnath's efforts to be heard.

You've sung duets with everyone from Manna Dey and Kishore Kumar to Kumar Sanu and Adnan Sami. What was it like singing with your own nephew?

When I am standing in front of the microphone I forget who's singing with me. I become one with the song. And when it's a devotional number I am even more immersed in the words and the feelings. In fact the reason I launched my label LM Music was to be able to sing devotional music. You'll notice all my albums on the label are spiritual or devotional.

The words have always been very important to your singing.

Yes, poet-lyricists like Pradeep and Bharat Vyas would write their lyrics with the tune. Music is an integral part of poetry.

I noticed you've sung in Punjabi in your new album?

Yes. But it isn't the first time. I've sung in Punjabi many times in the past. In fact I've sung in nearly every Indian language and also in English. Let's see how my efforts are liked this time. Nowadays music hardly sells off the shelf. It's all on the internet or the I Pod. L M Music has tied up with Saregama to ensure my new album reaches out as far and wide as possible.

You recorded your new album Ya Rabba at your own studio?

Yes, when we launched our label we also opened our own recording studio in Andheri (Mumbai). It's a very small studio.

No place where you work can ever be small?

(Laughs) That's the Lata bhakt talking. The truth is, trends and tastes have changed so much I no longer feel I am part of the music industry.

That isn't true. After more than 65 years of singing you continue to be our national treasure. What summits remain for you to conquer?

(Laughs) It's difficult to put full stops to an artiste's goals and achievements. Speaking for myself as a singer, new destinations have appeared during the journey of life. One needs an incentive to keep moving forward. The day an artiste feels she has done it all she's finished. Whether it's a writer, actor or a star he or she should never feel I've nothing more to achieve.

On the occasion of your father's death anniversary you also honoured Rishi Kapoor for his excellence in acting?

Yes I've always thought very highly of Rishiji's acting talents. The whole family, Rishiji, Neetuji, their son Ranbir and daughter Riddhima came for the function. It was very kind of them. As you know my links with the Kapoor khandaan go a long way. Ranbir and I share the same birthday. In fact Raj Saab's daughter Reema was also born on the same day as me (September 28).

Tell us about your bonding with Mr Raj Kapoor?

He was a musician himself. The music in his films had his contribution to a very large extent. He would often play the songs and then the composer would take it up. I love the sound he created for Ram Teri Ganga Maili. I've heard that in some rural centers audience would stop the screening of Ram Teri Ganga Maili and demand that the song 'Sun Sahiba Sun' be played again.

You've been saying that Mr Amitabh Bachchan should get the Bharat Ratna.

Bharat Ratna toh dur ki baat, unhein abhi tak Dada Saheb Phalke award se bhi sammannit nahin kiya gaya. Unke jaisa koi our nahin hai.