Aaja Shaam Hui….

Last week during the Beating the Retreat ceremony, when the Military Band played “Ae Mere Watan ke Logon”, my eyes were moist. Whenever I listen to this song it has that impact, no wonder it brought tears to many. I am sure not the only one who experiences that.

 

We did not know that the eyes would be moist once again so soon, not because of the song but the singer who finally bid us goodbye. Lata Ji left this world at a ripe age, seeing her go through challenges over the past year, the signs were there. Still, the heart didn’t want to believe. Eventually, the end came.

 

 

If it was ‘Ae Mere Watan ke Logon’ in 1962 had painful memories of the China war associated with it, in 1971 it was her “Aago Badho Kahate, Satyamev Jayate ..” after the Bangladesh war, embodying the spirit of the win over evil forces.

 

When Lata Ji was awarded “Bharat Ratna” in 2001, no one had a doubt about her being a “Ratna” (Gem) of Bharat that is India. No controversy or debate on why she was given or why someone else was more deserving. It was not only for the highest civilian honor but any title conferred on her, be it Gaan Saraswati, Swar Samragy, Gaan Kokila, Malik-e-Tarannum, any many more. She more than deserved it, that was Lata ji, far above controversy, focussed on her singing.

 

She has given so many songs of such a wide variety that it would need pages and pages to even make a brief mention of them. When she sang “Main 16 baras ki” for the movie Karz in 1980, she was 51. The song was a superhit as people could relate her voice to a 16 years old. It was only later songs like “Aaja Shaam Hui ….Luka Chuppi Bahut Hui ..” in Rang De Basanti (2005) that her voice showed signs of aging. Still the song emotionally connected with all, expressing the pain of a mother. She must have been 76 then.

 

There were generations and generations of singers who tried to copy her, unsuccessfully. Even now every upcoming female singer in reality shows or orchestras tries to imitate her with varying degrees of success. That is what legends are made of.

 

One thing I will always be proud of, she was born in Indore (M.P.), which is my birthplace too. Next to Ahilya Bai Holkar, probably it would be Lata Ji who lent fame to Indore by their name.