Lata Mangeshkar death anniversary: She forgave all her detractors and critics – Times of India

It’s been one year since we lost the Goddess of all melodious things. Not a day goes by when the fans and followers don’t mourn Lata Mangeshkar’s physical absence. Those who’ve known her, still believe she is just a phone call away. Just that the fans who care don’t want to disturb her.
It is maddening and saddening to hear the people who tortured Lataji all her life shedding crocodile tears and making up lachrymose stories about how much they loved adored and worshipped her when all they did was trouble her all her life. One member of her family was especially a handful.

Lataji once burst into tears at this demanding and unreasonable family member’s behaviour. This was the only time one heard her lose self control. That person must know that Lataji forgave them. Many of those around her didn’t.
Many musicians whose careers Lataji encouraged, if not made, badmouthed her, called her monopolistic. But why would she need to get insecure about Vani Jairam, Runa Laila or Anuradha Paudwal? It’s like Neil Armstrong getting insecure about Elton John just because he sang Rocket Man.

When Vani Jairam and Runa Laila came to Mumbai, Lataji welcomed them personally, invited the former home, gifted her a saree. When Runa Laila recorded her first song in Mumbai, Lataji showed up at the recording with flowers. As for Paudwal, her first two hits Tu Mera Janu Hai and Ding Dong in Subhash Ghai’s Hero were courtesy Lataji who did not get the time to sing these songs and suggested Paudwal’s number.

So jealous were the competitors that at one point in the 1960s she was being slow-poisoned. The doctors said she would never be able to sing again. They didn’t know whom they were dealing with.

Her conversations with well-wishers and friends grew more and more sparse as her health deteriorated. Her friends pretended she would be well again and then they would have long conversations with her where she would laugh her magical laughter every time they spoke about someone giving himself (or herself) too much importance.

One of the last means of communication with Lataji was on WhatsApp. She was no longer in a position to talk. But she sent her well-wishers a voice note. Without going into details of what she said, one can only reveal that she said she could never be upset with her fans.

That message from the Goddess remains a precious gift in life of the fans. That last message from her, gives the fans hope that she is in a better place, leaving us in a better place with her songs.