Lata Didi Will Live Forever Through Her Voice And Her Kindness: Ricky Kej

RIP Lata Didi Absolutely devastated. A true legend, the greatest ever. In February 2015, as I landed in the Bengaluru Airport after winning the Grammy Award, I got a call from a landline number. I picked up the phone and a young 16 year old voice asked me in Hindi "Is this Ricky Kej", I said yes, and asked who it was?. She said "I am Lata".. and I replied "Who Lata??" I did not know any Lata! She repeated "I am Lata, a singer".. again I asked her who she was.. just then her manager took her phone and explained.. "This is Lata Mangeshkar.. THE Lata Mangeshkar!!!!!".. I then apologized to her profusely, she laughed. I joked with her that she sounds like a 16 year old!! She laughed even more and told me that a lot of people say that. We spoke for half an hour as I circled around the baggage belt at the arrivals terminal. While I was calling her "ma'am", she told me I could call her "Didi". Didi and I spoke about music, my career, she told me she loves my style of music and she listens to it a lot. We also spoke about my grandfather, who coincidentally she knew. Didi gave me her blessings, and since then I have had the pleasure of speaking to her a few more times. Always so humble, gracious and generous with her time and words. She also sent me a beautiful citation praising my work which I have framed in my studio. Lata Didi will live on forever, through her voice and through her kindness.