World Music Day: Lata Mangeshkar shares tips for aspiring musicians
As the eldest child the responsibility of looking after my siblings, my three sisters and a brother fell on me. Since singing was all I knew I set out to recording studios all over Mumbai in my cotton saree and chappals, travelling from one end of the city to the other by train, often on an empty stomach. Kind composers like Naushad saab and Sajjad Hussain Saab would offer me lunch…”
Today’s generations have it relatively easy. Songs are recorded on computers. In our times the live recordings had as many 100 orchestra members playing instruments live. When we sang duets Rafi Saab and I, Kishoreda and I were together sharing the mike. Nowadays a duet is recorded from two continents. The emotions are missing.”
An imitation is an imitation. It cannot take you anywhere worth going to. Find your own voice. Learn Indian classical music, know the ragas, and practice…Do riyaaz every single day. I unfortunately became so busy that I neglected my riyaaz. It is the one regret I have as a singer. I wish I had made time for my riyaaz every day. My advice to young singers is, treat your voice as a temple.”
