AR Rahman’s heartfelt tribute video for Lata Mangeshkar
Shortly after tweeting his four-word tribute to Nightingale, Mozart, AR, of Madras, Rahman posted a stunning tribute video on his Instagram account in honor of Lata Mangeshkar, with whom he most memorable in films like ‘Dil’. had co-operated. Se’ and ‘Rang De Basanti’. Earlier in the day, Rahman posted a picture of himself sitting at Nightingale’s feet and tweeted: “Love, respect and prayers.”
In the video, Rahman talks at length about the music icon. Noting that “it was a very sad day for all of us,” he added: “Someone like Lataji is not just a singer, not just a symbol. (She is) I think a part of the soul She is a part of India’s consciousness, Hindustani music, Hindi poetry, Urdu poetry, Bengali and many other languages she sang in. And this void will remain for all of us forever.”
Recalling his father’s respect for Lata Mangeshkar, Rahman said: “My experience with her goes back to my father (he passed away when I was young), whom I believe There was a picture of him by his bed. So he would get up and get inspired and go on recording. That’s where it starts.”
He then spoke about his association with Nightingale, saying: “Coming to me, I was lucky enough to record some songs with her, sing with her, be a part of her shows, where I probably got the most. One learned from. Important things about performing on stage.”
The music director said he had once seen before a live show, after rehearsals ended at 4 p.m., went back to his room with his assistant to re-sing each song.
“Very slowly, clearly every song. I just walked over to that side and asked myself, ‘Is she rehearsing for the show?’ That one incident changed my life. After that, every show I go to, I go out and have a tambura and practice. Get a warm-up done. Every song that comes out, the way it comes out should be,” Rahman said.
The music director also spoke about the time and effort that the legend invested in each song.
“One day, I was talking to him and he said, ‘In those days Naushad sahib used to call us for rehearsals for 11 days.’ I said, ‘How long will it take you? I’ll learn to sing right away.’ Still, he used to insist that we all came for rehearsals in 11 days’,” Rehman recalled.
And then he commented: “Then you understand the depth of each song. There’s so much investment of time, love, spirituality, passion in it. For the younger generation, I think it’s so important to delve so deeply into something, Trust him.. Give it all. Don’t expect any return.
“That’s probably the kind of thing I learned from one of the last pillars of the Indian musical legacy of the last century.”
Rahman concluded by saying: “There is going to be a huge void. Even though we have a treasure trove of his songs, his not being physically there is a void that will be very difficult to fill. I know there are hundreds more.” There are thousands of singers who have been inspired by his songs and singing and are probably taking it a long way in their own way.
“Still, I think the influence, the foundation that his generation has laid – he, along with Rafi sahab, Kishore Da, Manna Dey, Shakeel saab, Naushad sahab, SD Burman, Salil Chowdhury (all stalwarts) – is something like What I will truly value for the rest of my life. We can only celebrate and learn from this legend who has left us. May his soul rest in peace.”
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