A Pious Day – Lata Mangeshkar’s Birthday
Where do I begin? Where do I end? She is part of my continuum; a companion of my life; a portion of my soul. She is like the gushing blood in my veins; the air that breathes through my lungs; the beats that thunder in my heart. She sat with me in that school bus on a frosty Greek winter morning, even though I did not recognize her. She walked with me on this potted pavement on a hot Delhi summer afternoon. There, on that rusty bench at the park corner, where I sulked, she soothed my frayed nerves. Here, I was lonely and feeling bored, she came and entertained me. That day, when I joked with friends, she naughtily teased me. This hour, when I saw my first crush, she whispered hauntingly.
I crossed thresholds from childhood to adolescence to youth to thirties – she did not leave my side. At each curve, she was there – solid and secure. Rather, she became recognizable and more ardent in her affection. I have spent hours with her, and during those times, I have been lost to the world. Now, whenever I am happy, she is present in the tinkle of my laughter; whenever I am sad, she flows through my tears. My emotions are dead twigs without her shower’s nurture. How do I begin? How do I end?
She is my only obsession- and I am pleased about that. She is my addiction – and I do not want to leave it ever. She is my veneration – and I will million times bow my forehead to her. Human life is accorded after 864 lacs rebirths; it is considered the luckiest for the soul. I am a step ahead of that luck, for I got the human birth in an era when she lives! It is my personal boon from God; she is mankind’s boon from Heavens.
She is none other than -Bharat Ratna Lata Mangeshkar- the most perfect voice God ever created: a voice that can launch a thousand emotions, a million feelings and a billion positive thoughts. For me, she is beyond just a voice – her entire personality is a lesson: sharp in her dealings; focused in her work; talented in her field; student in her life; quiet and calm in her demeanor; never say give up in her attitude; humble in her personality; warrior in her convictions; and, wonderful and warm as a human.
Her songs serenade my soul; her renditions are riveting; her geet are gracefully gratifying; her mellifluous music is must and meaningful; she is pious, pure, precious and perfect; dhanak-sidhanwaan in dhairya; novel, notable, nugget and nightingale; she has sculptured sangeet as it should be. (In case you didn’t notice, the entire para is written with music notes alliteration- music that is Lata Didi’s love, and her devotion).
Lata Didi – Many Happy Returns of the Day!
Lata Didi – on your 76th Birthday – let me reiterate – I am proud to be your fan!
Related Reading - Celebrating 76 Years of Lata Mangeshkar – A Mindlblowing Article By Subhash K. Jha
Random Expressions, My Other Blog
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