Lata Mangeshkar used to be a miracle who can’t be certain in mere phrases, says Gulzar, the poet-lyricist-writer who on Sunday discovered himself on the lookout for phrases to explain his loss on the loss of life of his long-time collaborator.
The affiliation with Mangeshkar that began from the track “Mora Gora Ang Layle” from 1963’s Bandini, Gulzar’s first as a songwriter, got here to a complete prevent with 2021’s unmarried “Theek Nahi Lagta”, which used to be recorded for a movie 26 years in the past that finally were given shelved.
In an interview with PTI, the veteran lyricist stated, “Lata ji is a ‘karishma’ (miracle) in herself and this ‘karishma’ doesn’t occur at all times and ‘aaj ye karishma mukammal (entire) ho gaya’, she is long gone. She used to be a miraculous singer, with a miraculous voice. It’s tough to seek out adjectives for her. How a lot ever we speak about her, it’s much less. You’ll be able to’t bind her in phrases. She is past phrases.”
The duo went directly to create gem stones in motion pictures like Khamoshi, Kinara, Lekin, Rudaali, Masoom, Libaas, Dil Se.., Satya, Hu Tu Tu, and Maachis, amongst others.
The track “Naam Gum Jayega” from Kinara, which Gulzar additionally directed, has come to outline the permanent legacy of Lata Mangeshkar and he stated the observe is “apt” when one talks about her.
“We had written the track for a movie. I take note I had advised her while you give an autograph you’ll use this (the traces of the track) ‘Meri awaaz hello pehchan hai aur ye hai pehchan’,” he recalled.
“I didn’t imply it considering (it’ll change into her identification) nevertheless it turned into her identification and he or she recognized (with it),” he added.
Lata Mangeshkar, who kicked the bucket on Sunday morning following a couple of organ failure on the age of 92, had stated she recalls vividly the day she did the playback for the track and the traces that Gulzar spoke to her.
“Everybody within the nation is aware of that Gulzar sahab writes fantastically. He additionally speaks fantastically. When I used to be making a song (this track), he got here to me and gently stated, ‘Meri awaaz hello pehchan hai aur ye hai pehchan’. He stated one thing like this. However later, I additionally began announcing that ‘my voice is my identification’. And now whoever sings that track or writes about me says the ones traces,” Mangeshkar advised PTI in October 2021 days after the discharge of “Theek Nahin Lagta”.
Gulzar additionally shared how worried Vishal Bhardwaj, the then tune composer of his directorial Maachis, used to be when he used to be doing his first track with Mangeshkar for the 1996 movie.
She recorded two songs, “Ae Hawa” and “Pani Pani Re” for Maachis. Whilst the latter stayed, the previous didn’t make the minimize as a result of there used to be no scenario, the singer had stated ultimate yr.
“I take note when Vishal used to be doing the primary track along with her, he used to be very worried. He advised me he’s getting very worried. Lata ji laughed and stated ‘Recall to mind me as a newcomer and train me’. Just a very very beneficiant and nice particular person like her can say this. It displays her persona,” Gulzar stated.
The 87-year-old lyricist stated he used to be “fortunate” to have met and labored for Lata Mangeshkar.
Lata Mangeshkar with Gulzar and Amjad Khan. (Picture: Specific Archive)
“I take note she had as soon as advised me ‘lately songs don’t seem to be so excellent’ and stated ‘make some great motion pictures in which there’s a scope for excellent tune and songs’,” he added.
Mangeshkar additionally produced Gulzar’s movie Lekin, for which she additionally gained a Nationwide Movie Award for very best feminine playback singer for “Yaara Seeli Seeli” which turned into specifically common at the moment.
“She produced my movie ‘Lekin’. I’m so glad that she gained the Nationwide Award,” Gulzar stated.
The movie used to be directed through Gulzar, who additionally penned the lyrics.
Lekin earned 5 Nationwide Awards, together with tune course for Hridaynath Mangeshkar, Lata Mangeshkar’s more youthful brother, and Gulzar for lyrics.
“You proportion those moments on account of her blessings, now not that I take (credit score) for the rest. She had that roughly imaginative and prescient. And I’m happy I labored along with her.”
She used to be the “voice of our tradition” and can stay the similar, Gulzar added.
“She is a part of our tradition. She is a part of on a regular basis tradition. TV got here later. There was radio and one would get up being attentive to her voice.
“Her songs could be performed all the way through all fairs from Lohri, Holi, Eid or even weddings. She had change into the voice of our tradition in her lifetime and remains to be,” he stated.