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My brother, Hridaynath

On the occasion of Raksha Bandhan, Lata Mangeshkar talks about the bond she shares with her sibling

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Lata Mangeshkar and Hridaynath Mangeshkar
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Lata Mangeshkar has collaborated with her younger brother Hridaynath many times. Their work collaborations have resulted in some timeless songs. They share a very warm bond outside the recording studio, too. On the occasion of Raksha Bandhan, the veteran singer speaks about her love for her brother and why she takes so much pride in his work...

‘I was almost like a second mother to him’

I am Didi to many in the film industry and across India, but on Raksha Bandhan, I tie a rakhi only to my brother Hridaynath. I’ve doted on him from the time he was born. I was almost like a second mother to him when he was a child —  singing him to sleep, feeding him his meals, dressing him up for school. Hridaynath was always a shy child, and we sisters — Meena, Asha, Usha and I — loved him a lot. Every time he would sneeze, we sisters would catch a collective cold. Hridaynath grew up to be an outstanding music composer. Singing his songs like Tum Asha Vishwas Hamare in the film Subah, Raja Beta Soya Mera in Harishchandra Taramati, and Yara Sili Sili in Lekin were special challenges for me. I was not just ‘Lata Mangeshkar’ when I recorded for him, I was also the composer’s sister and had to keep our dignity and reputation in mind.

‘Everyone in our house is scared of singing for him’

I have been recording bhajans in Hindi for my brother since 1956. The Meerabai Bhajans, Chala Vahi Des, that Hridaynath recorded with me in 1974 are the single most favourite recordings of mine. He is a tough taskmaster, and is very particular about the way a song is sung. Not just me, everyone in our house is scared of singing for him. He keeps asking for retakes until the recording is absolutely perfect. Sometimes I get tired of the retakes and ask him, ‘How many more times?’ And he says, ‘We can stop if you like, but then people might find faults with your singing, and I don’t want that.’

‘He never wanted me to recommend him’

He is very well-read. He loves reading Hindi, Urdu and Marathi poetry. Rival composers have tried to harm him, but he doesn’t get frustrated, though I do, for him! He never wanted me to recommend him to anyone. He produced Lekin for creative satisfaction, but it didn’t do well. I liked the film, and the songs. Even the background music in Lekin was exquisite.

‘All his achievements are his own’

I don’t dare to suggest a word when I sing for him. But if I don’t understand something in his composition, I badger him with a lot of questions. At times, his tunes are quite complex, aren’t they? But I feel he’s been maligned in this matter. He has labelled a ‘difficult composer’. In the past, Sajjad Hussain composed what you call complex songs. And rumours were spread that he’s too exacting, temperamental and egoistic. Hridaynath is so quiet and self-effacing, he never asks for anything. I’m very happy to say the work that he has done and all the achievements are his own. I am glad my brother is self made.

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