April 24 is an afternoon when the Nightingale Lata Mangeshkar honours the memory of her late father Pandit Dinanath Mangeshkar by honoring excellence within the field of arts and social services.
This year's recipient is Madhuri Dixit, just back for good in amchi Mumbai after a lengthy residency within the US. Madhuri has always been self-declared Lata Mnageshkar fan. The highlight of her career, says Dixit, was when Lataji sang 'Didi Tera Devar Deewana' and other memorabilia for the actress in Hum Aapke Hain Kaun.
Says Lataji, "Madhuri is an excessively fine actress and some of the beautiful and graceful dancers of our cinema. I always like watching her on screen. Hum Aapke Hain Kaun and Devdas are my favourites. Whenever we meet we chatter in Marathi."
Interestingly, the function to commemorate her father's death anniversary will be the second public event Lataji could be seen attending in a month, an extraordinary feat for the super-reclusive singing legend who hardly steps out.
Says Lataji, "The function in my father's memory is something our family and that i don't miss any year. This year I'M just a bit worried in regards to the heat that's grown unbearable. As for the opposite function, for Sachin Tendulkar…how could I miss that? Sachin is like my son. He calls me Maa. His wife requested me to be there."
As for singing for Sachin, the Nightingale laughs, "I BELIEVE people were bowled over because I HAVE NOT sung publicly in a very long time. I knew 'Mera Saaya Saath Hoga' is Sachin's favourite song. But I asked him on the function. He got up and said, 'Yes it's my favourite song and I'd be honoured for those who sing two lines of that song.' Did I'VE a call after that?"
