Yesterday it was the birth anniversary of THE Lata Mangeshkar, while on September 26, it was the birth annivesary of the forever Dapper Dev Anand. Lovely memories take root in our minds the moment we think of these movers n shakers (because both changed the existing paradigms) of a bygone era that was the golden age of Hindi cinema.
What can we say of Lataji's voice? Do read the lovely tribute P. K. Atre, one of the most acerbic satirists ever in Marathi, paid to that marvellous magic called Lata's voice. She is indeed the prima donna who was/is/will be the lead melody of measureless moments in countless lives.
Personally, I tremendously respect for being a principled artist. To begin with, in THOSE days which were absolutely patriarchal, here was this chit of a girl who stood her ground. Life must have been truly tough. Yet she never gave in.
It is due to her staunch stand that singers get any royalty at all. During that particular period, literally the whole establishment was against her, and yet she never compromised, and thence every singer, whatever be the quality of voice, has benefited, both in terms of recognition, and monetary benefits.
Why, she would not budge an inch, when she was ill-treated, be it by S.D.Burman or Mohammad Rafi, for instance. She was once insulted in Hyderabad. It took some thirty years for assauging that hurt.
Well, talent, rampant even otherwise, is god's gift. The way you respect that inborn treasure is what makes you a genius. I do not exactly believe the stories about her snuffing out others' careers, basically because Bollywood is such a bazzar. They would not bother about her if she was not useful to them. In such an ugly wor(l)d, she stands uncompromised! Salute!
Like Lataji, Dev Anand, too, was was unique. He was the Gary Cooper of the Golden era of Hindi films. A look-alike, he absolutely personifies that 'modern' charm, so distinct from the rustic roughness of a 'Leader' Dilip Kumar or the 'tramp' Raj Kapoor.
Personally, I highly respect him, yet again for being different. Why, right in the beginning of his career, he enacted extremely gray characters in films his friend, Guru Dutt, directed. In those days which could not imagine a live-in with a married woman, he did not mind being a Raju Guide! And, yes, till the end of his life, he was busy making movies, though, may be, without realising that the mode had moved on.
In brief, both these greats prove that life lived acoording to certain values and principles, makes it worthwhile. Hence this tribute on the occasion of their birth anniversaries!
Pratima@ Principled legends make magic!
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