‘I was a big admirer of KL Saigal saab’
Legendary singer Lata Mangeshkar recorded her first-ever song, a Marathi number, Natali Chaitraachi Navalaai, for the film, Pahili Mangalagaur in 1942. She went on to sing thousands of songs and is now fondly known as the ‘Nightingale of India’. As the songstress nears her 75th year in the music industry, ask who has inspired her the most, and she says, “First and foremost, my father [the late Deenanath Mangeshkar], who taught me to sing. I was five years old when I started learning singing from him.”
Mangeshkar says KL Saigal’s singing has had “a lot of influence” on her. “I was a big admirer of Saigal saab’s music, and later, I attempted to sing like him (smiles). While singing, I used to try and pronounce the Urdu words the way he did. I also heard Noor Jehan, and I really liked the way she sang. But I have always made it a point to never copy anyone. I have always sung songs in my style,” she says.
The 87-year-old also counts Master Ghulam Haider, Madan Mohan, Jaidev, and Naushad among her influences. “Naushad saab, in particular, used to keep an eye on my Urdu a lot [while singing]. So, all of them have helped me in my career, and I have learnt a lot from all of them,” she says.
Ask Mangeshkar if she watches music-based reality TV shows, and she says, “I do, but seldom and only if it’s a kids show. I have also called them the singers on reality TV shows] up after watching them perform. Some of the artistes are really good,” she says.
While Mangeshkar believes that it’s great to feature children on such reality shows, they have a slim chance of finding work in the industry. “A kid won’t be able to singi for a hero or a heroine.i But their studies might get affected, and then they are asked to perform on stage and earn money. So, those children’s lives change,” says Mangeshkar, adding that education is very important today. “Back in the day, a less educated person would have been okay, but now, times have changed,” she says.
I used to try and pronounce the Urdu words the way he did. I also heard Noor Jehan, and I really liked the way she sang. LATA MANGESHKAR, SINGER