Page 13 - Seniors Today -Volume no1
P. 13
singer, I should be treated cautiously. But crazy? The song was good enough as it was
after I recorded for him, he showed absolute recorded initially.”
confidence in me. In Barsaat, I ended up When I heard this, I wept. Then there was
singing for all the female characters. But I a classical musician who maligned me to
must tell you that I would have a fight with his heart’s content. I treated some music
Raj saab during every film, for one reason or directors, lyricists, producers and directors
another. like my brothers. But they all maligned me.
Like? So, I decided to stop attending functions, I
Koi aisa waisa gana aa jaye to main unse stopped talking excessively which was a habit
ladhne lagti thi. I used to quarrel with with me. I would say things in jest. But my
Jaikishen also about such songs. words would be misinterpreted and distorted.
Who needs this? I thought. That’s why I
Budhha mil gaya from Sangam, for
instance? prefer staying at home with my family. Now
Yes, they convinced me that the girl in if I’m called arrogant and unsociable I don’t
care. If I worry about what people have to say,
Sangam is newly married and she’s teasing then it wouldn’t be possible to continue living.
her husband. Hota tha aise hi kuchh kuchh.
Yash Chopra called you the most influential
Were you friendly with any of the heroines Indian of this century.
for whom you sang?
I was quite close to Nargisji. Also Meena I sang for B.R. Chopra and Yashji for the first
Kumari and Madhubala. I’m told that in her time for Ek Hi Raasta. Hemant Kumar had
contracts Madhubala would stipulate that given the music. At that time, I knew Yashji
only I would sing for her. I share a cordial vaguely. When the two brothers separated
relationship with Saira Banu to this day. Jaya I received Laxmikant-Pyarelal’s message
Bachchan is another favourite. I remember to sing for Daag. I got to know that Yashji
during the making of Abhimaan, she would always wanted me to sing in his films. When
sit and watch me sing. I used to wonder why. he called me didi for the first time I was taken
Then I saw the film. During the songs, she aback. Then we became family. I miss him.
dressed and behaved like I do during my Before Chandni, there were strong rumours
recordings. that my voice had deteriorated. Actually
Why have you been called an aloof, I’d fallen ill. Yashji had to shoot the song
arrogant and ruthless professional? How with a substitute voice. Then I got Yashji’s
and why did this image come about? urgent message, saying that I had to dub my
Do you want to know why people are nervous songs immediately or it would be too late.
of me? There’s a saying that if someone burns Reluctantly, I dubbed for Mere haathon mein
his mouth drinking milk, he even tries to cool nau nau chudiyan hain. I wasn’t satisfied with
down chhach before drinking it. In the past, my rendition at all. But he said I was fine.
I loved to laugh and make people laugh. I Since Chandni, I’ve sung for all his films.
used to bring chocolates to the recordings and
share them with everyone. People exploited Any unfulfilled wish?
my friendly nature. They maligned my name. None at all. God has given me more than I
Once, a well-known recordist kept me back deserve.
to record a small interlude in a song till late Your message to your fans?
at night. Only his assistant, my sister and Main itna hi kahungi ke mujhe unka
I were at the studio, the others had left. He ashirwad hamesha milte rahe. Main hamesha
kept making me sing the small interlude waisi hi rahun jaisa who chahte hain.
repeatedly. After a couple of days, I heard that
he was telling people, “See how I drove Lata
SENIORS TODAY | Volume 1 | Issue 1
