Lata refused to sing the song ‘ angrezi mein kehtey hai’ as it had the word “ Idiot” in it. In their London stage show, there were two unforeseen problems. In fact, she used to say he was her dada as he was older. However, Lata solved the problem by going on stage to introduce Kishore. Kishore suggested she sing first as she was his senior in the industry. Once they had a much-awaited show in London and the question arose as to who would sing first. Sometimes they performed together to the joy of the lucky audience. The stage shows of Lata and Kishore were memorable and highly successful throughout the world.

He clarified her misconception and introduced both to each other. Lata complained to music director Khemchand Prakash about a roadside ruffian chasing her. She flew into a rage saying, “ You scoundrel, why are you chasing me like a roadside Romeo!”, before hurrying into the studio. Coincidentally he got down at the same place where the girl had stopped her horse cart and walked behind her. When Dadar station came, she got down and hired a horse cart for her destination. He gave her a warm smile but got a stern look in return. Travelling in a local train, Kishore saw a young and simple girl (Lata) sitting near the window seat. Lata’s 1st meeting with Kishore da was unique.

Let us examine their association a bit more closely. Lata and Kishore were probably the best ever singing pair. She sang 440 duets with Rafi and 327 with Kishore Kumar. Lata had maximum duets with Rafi even though for some time they had professional differences on royalty and payment issues. Lyricist Majrooh Sultanpuri used to visit her daily and he voluntarily acted as her food taster. The vanishing act by her maid without taking his wages possibly hinted at this being a murder attempt by rivals/enemies. Asha, Meena, Lata, Usha and Hridaynath/ PC: indianhistorypicsĪt 33, Lata was almost killed through slow poison which made her unconscious for three days and bedridden for three months. Greatness comes from such small things as well. However, Lata immediately took diction training from an Urdu teacher named Shafi and it added finesse to her singing. A normal reaction would be obstinacy, denial, taking it to heart or protest.

Once legend Dilip Kumar observed that she had a Marathi accent. Lata was not only gifted but ever willing to learn.

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