Not without her voice!

Subhash K. Jha / TNN / Sep 28, 2005, 23:59 IST

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Lata Mangeshkar turned 76 recently, Sanjay Leela Bhansali sings an ode to her.

Lata Mangeshkar turned 76 recently, Sanjay Leela Bhansali sings an ode to her.
I've learnt everything about filmmaking by listening to Lataji's voice. There is a different Lata Mangeshkar experience for every decade.
It's fascinating to see how she has sung differently for all composers ranging from S D Burman to Madan Mohan to R D Burman.
As a singer she has done it all.We cannot have another Lata Mangeshkar.

It's my desire to try and reach her level of excellence through my work. Not a day passes when I don't listen to her music. Her songs are the only shield and sustenance I have against the incessant blows from the world.
Lataji's voice has healed and nourished me from childhood. I have been fascinated by her since childhood. I remember as a child I'd read up every bit of information on her. For me every detail about her was precious.

I've always been intrigued by this diminutive woman with the most powerful voice in the world. How she takes up the most complex notes and makes them sound so effortless is something I've failed to understand.
Lataji is mystical and mythical for me. Her voice quality is so exceptional that...
... I cannot treat her as a real person.
She is multi faceted -- maternal, devotional and sensual. Very few have dared get to know the real person.
The only time I had this opportunity of meeting her was when she came to the recording studio to sing R D Burman's 'Kuch na kaho' for the film 1942 A Love Story. I was behind her when she came out of her car.
I froze. I just kept looking at here. She looked beautiful in her white sari and diamonds. When she was escorted to the lift I followed and didn't have the courage to get into the lift with her.
I chose to run up the flight of steps instead. As I watched her sing I couldn't believe that a person could generate beauty, harmony and goodness through her vocals.
Whenever I drive pass her home in Peddar Road I wish to grab a glimpse in her little balcony. Maybe one day I'll get lucky and catch a glimpse of her. Maybe one day she'll sing for my film.
My work is incomplete without her voice. Through her songs she taught me that excellence perfection and beauty have no full stops.

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