Brig MK Ganju’s Tribute To Melody Queen Lata Mangeshkar

Lata Mangeshkar is no more. It seems my mother has died the second time. Her voice would solace the distressed, sooth the depressed, put to sleep an infant, wake a sleeping person, romanticize a lover, inspire a soldier and heal the sick. This voice has become silent now.She had said, "When I die, I don't want to be reborn.” She said this in the context of her struggle and personal eventless life. But it is true Lata Mangeshkar will not be born again, till this universe exists. She had also said, "when I die my songs will fade away". This is not true. Her songs will keep on pleasing the ears of millions of people for time immemorial. My thoughts go back to 1977 when I met her at Jammu airport and I requested her for an autograph, which she happily gave. I was in my uniform then and she gave a standing invite to me to meet her in Bombay. This was her love for the armed forces. That invite still echoes in my ears and I feel deprived that it was not to be. She sang, "when I die, I will appear in the form of my voice from a blooming flower and spread the fragrance of my affection in the garden of love.” So all the music lovers, sleep tonight to dream Lata Mangeshkar and sooth yourself with her voice in this hour of grief. Aum shanti satagati Aum shanti satagati Aum shanti satagati