Page 23 - Rotary 3201 GML March 2022

Changing Lives Through Their Tallents...

ODE TO A NIGHTINGALE

The ‘Nightingale of India’, Lata Mangeshwar left this earthly abode recently leaving behind a legend which
few can match – having recorded over 25,000 songs in 30 languages. The melodious voice of
Lataji became symbolic of India. Her songs became a part of Indian households, whether
it was a Puja at home or to liven up a dull afternoon or to relax in the evening or the
happy occasion of a wedding – the dominant voice in the background was always Lataji’s.
A very humble person , always ready to help let it be the defenders of our country
or the sportsmen of our country. She loved her cricket and had a special connection
with many cricketers right from Rajsingh Durgarpur, former President of BCCI to
superstar Sachin Tendulkar. Indeed she performed at a special concert at Eden Gardens
in honour and support of the Indian Cricket Team on winning the 1983 World Cup because
the cricketers at that time did not make as much as they do now.
A moment of glory was when she was invited to sing a Marathi prayer song at a midnight congregation at
Shivaji Park on 1st May 1960 to mark the formation of the State of Maharasthra . In 1963 she was invited
to a rally at Delhi organized in support of the soldiers who had laid down their lives in the Indo- China war.
When she sang her legendary song’ Ae Mere Watan Ke Logon’, Prime Minister Panditji was so moved by it
that there were tears in his eyes !
She received her initial training from her father Dinanath Mangeshwar , an actor- singer from Goa. Later
she trained under the best Ustads of that time but with the untimely death of her father at the young age
of 14 she was forced to take up the responsibility of the sole breadwinner of her family with 4 younger
siblings. Composer Ghulam Haider was instrumental in getting her a break into Hindi cinema and with lots of
hard work , total commitment and blessed with a beautiful voice she started her journey to be acclaimed as
the Best Female Playback Singer !
Over decades she had produced innumerous memorable numbers, having worked with most of the top
composers, lyrists and fellow singers. During the 1990’s her songs in DDLJ went on to become a integral part
of every Indian wedding. ‘Luka Chuppi’, a moving piece from Rang de Basanti is considered her Swan Song – a
sort of Grand Finale to an Epic Life !

BAPPI LAHIRI INDIA’S DISCO KING

Bappi Da as Bappi Lahiri was fondly called, was the undisputed Disco King Of India from the
70’s – 90’s. He set Bollywood on fire and the public tapping away with his reverberating
music starting from “I am a Disco Dancer, Chalthe Chalthe, Tamma Tamma Lage, Ooh
La La” among many others. The success of Disco Dancer was not only was his launch
pad to national and International Fame especially in China and Russia, it was the launch
pad for his fellow Bengali Mithun Charaborty who after this super hit and many others
came to be known as the John Travolta of India. In fact few of Big B, Amithab Bachan’s
movies like Namak Halal and Saharabi became super hits because of his memorable work.
He was a complete musician. He could sing, compose and play various instruments. Coming
from a musical background he first trained under Guru Samba Prasad and was hailed as a Tabla Prodigy at
just six. He understood the feel of the character and composed accordingly. He would do 6 – 7 recordings
a day. In fact during his peak in 1985, he gave music to 33 movies (30 Hindi, 2 Bengali and 1 Tamil) - which
meant a film was released every 12 days!
He was known for his flamboyant style with Gold Chains and shades in many ways influenced by another
flamboyant superstar - Elvis Presley. He used to say “Gold is my lucky Charm and my Pechchaan”. He leaves
behind a ‘Foot Tapping Legacy’. He once said “Simply put, my life is Dhilp Kumar to Ranveer Singh, from
Dharam Adhikari to Gunday, I’ve done it all”. Some of his own lines would be the best way to pay Tribute to
Bappida – “Chaar din ki zindagi hai, Chalthe Chalthe Yeh mere Geeth Yaad Rakenha aur Kabhi Alvida na
Kehna ! ”
Rtn. Suresh Lund
Editor
OUR LOVELY PLANET MARCH 2022 23