I am still learning and I still feel like a student: Lata Mangeshkar

Nightingale of Asia and Independent India’s most distinguished daughter, Lata Mangeshkar turns a year older on September 28. However, she says, considering the state of current affairs, she will not celebrate her 87th birthday, this year. “Everything has changed; human beings, even the climate has become unpredictable. Extreme weather conditions play havoc with our lives. I am deeply saddened to see children suffer in natural calamities and during war. But I am no one to dole out gyan to anyone — I am just an ordinary citizen.” So what according to her is the solution to the current crisis in mankind’s existence With a deep sigh, she replies, “I don’t know if I am qualified to comment, but, I do wonder why nations don’t keep their own house in order, instead of creating havoc in others’ domain. Why hurl bombs at nations Why not work on making our own country beautiful instead ”

Citing the example of Switzerland she says, “It is considered the most peaceful country in the world. Why Because they’ve concentrated on making their own country better and more developed. We never hear of violence perpetrated by the Swiss,” she points out.

“Love your country,” comes the message from the lady when asked for a message for her fans on the other side of border. “I hope they live happily and in peace and let us live happily and in peace as well. I know the people there are just like us — they want peace. It’s always the fringe elements in the society who don’t want peace.”

Most recently, The Nightingale Of Asia has been conferred Bengal’s highest civilian honour, Banga Bhibhushan, by the West Bengal’s chief minister Mamata Banerjee. Lataji, who has received India’s highest civilian honour the Bharat Ratna, is ecstatic.

“My connection with Bengal is karmic. I’ve sung numerous Bangla songs including Durga puja songs and Rabindra sangeet, the two most popular genres in Bengal. I hold my visits to Kolkata very close to my heart,” she says. It’s in Bengal, she says that she has performed the maximum number of live concerts in India.

Reminiscing the times she recorded Bangla songs for the two Bangla maestros Salil Choudhary and Hemant Kumar, she adds, “Hemant da’s songs were sweet and transparent, like the man himself. His tunes were very melodious. Salil da used to record intricately layered Bangla songs with me and then he would record the same song with me in Hindi.

Although she has received almost all possible awards, she is still open for more. “It’s never too late for recognition and praise,” she says, adding, “When I received the Bharat Ratna in 2001, all my friends said there is nothing more to achieve. But I am still learning and I still feel like a student. Every word of praise, is equally important,” she concludes.