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and composers like AR Rahman, Vishal and Hindi words.
Bharadwaj, Anu Malik and Jatin-Lalit? What else would you say was remarkable
(Firmly) Nahin. In my opinion, a singer about the composers of yesteryear?
should never be conscious of such things. I’ll tell you another thing about Sajjad
Irrespective of the generations they belong saab’s music. He was very particular about
to, all music composers try to do their best. melody. Even if one instrument was slightly
As a singer, I used to enjoy the challenging off-key, he would be livid. Once during a
compositions of the past. I admit the young recording, he asked a famous singer to stop
music directors of today are a little scared of at the gandhar. The singer wanted to know
me. But I’ve never ever misbehaved with any what gandhar was. Sajjad saab was aghast.
composer or told him that his tune is no good Sometimes I wonder what he would have
or that I’ll sing it in my own way. said about today’s singers. Like my brother,
But they might find it difficult to tell you Sajjad saab used to get angry over any trace of
what they want! imperfection.
I don’t mean to praise myself. But to date, I’ve Are any of the top composers of today
always tried to grasp the nuances of a song perfectionists?
by sitting with the composer, like a student I don’t know how many of them have a deep
sits before a teacher. In the past, I would knowledge of classical music. The earlier
make suggestions while singing for Madan composers were steeped in classical music.
bhaiyya (Madan Mohan), Shankar-Jaikishan Burman dada’s knowledge of folk music was
and Laxmikant-Pyarelal. Even Burman tremendous. He also used to sing with great
dada. Quite a few directors encouraged me to feeling. Pancham was the master of rhythms.
suggest an alaap here or a taan there. But I’ve Pyarelal had learnt to play the violin from
never forced my suggestions on any music his father. Laxmikant too knew a bit about
director. classical music. Madan bhaiyya was exposed
How would you describe your professional to classical music in Lucknow. Sajjad saab
interaction with your brother Hridayanath would compose nothing but classical music.
Mangeshkar? He played the mandolin superbly.
I don’t dare to suggest a word when I sing As for my brother, he speaks his mind. He
for him. But if I don’t understand something doesn’t hesitate to praise a fellow artiste. I
in his composition, I do badger him with a remember once Madan bhaiyya had come
hundred questions. home for a meal. The music of his Jahan Ara
At times, his tunes are quite complex, had just been released. My brother liked the
aren’t they? songs so much that he asked Madan bhaiyya
For a singer, yes, they’re complex. But I feel to autograph the record. If Hridayanath
he’s been maligned in this matter. In the doesn’t like any of my songs, he criticises me
past, Sajjad Hussain composed what you call immediately. I don’t mind that all. In fact, I’ve
complex songs. And rumours were spread always valued frank opinions in my life.
that he’s too exacting, temperamental and
egoistic. Actually I loved Sajjad Hussain’s
music because like Naushad saab and Madan
bhaiyya, he insisted on poetic lyrics. These
composers understood and appreciated Urdu.
Those who had some difficulties with Urdu or
Hindi would consult specialists. For instance
Burman dada and Salil Chowdhary would
make a thousand enquiries about the Urdu
RD Burman’s first Hindi song was sung by Lata
SENIORS TODAY | Volume 1 | Issue 1
