Lataji was, IS, a national treasure, a talent beyond measure. As Yash Chopra, a huge fan of his Mata Saraswati, once said, “There is only one sun, one moon and one Lata Mangeshkar.”
Believe it or not, Lataji never listened to her own songs. “I’ve started listening to my own songs only recently,” she confessed shyly once during a conversation in 2016 with me. “Earlier, I was extremely cautious—almost embarrassed—about listening to my voice, so much so that I’d leave the room if I heard my song playing on the television. This created practical problems. When people would congratulate me for this or that song, I’d give them a blank look. Finally, after all these years, I am beginning to be comfortable with my voice.”
And which of her songs does she listen to? “I enjoy my non-film songs, particularly the Meera bhajans that my brother (Hridayanath Mangeshkar) composed for me. I don’t listen much to my film songs even now. Actually, it all started when I got a music system installed in my car. Now, when I commute, I have time to sit back and relax. Might as well do so listening to my own voice, don’t you think?”
What did she think of the voice that has wowed millions around the world? After some thought, she said, “Average, very average. You may not agree with me, but that’s how I feel about my singing. I don’t think I’ve achieved even an iota of what the classical greats do in their music.”
