In Search Of Lata, is a biography of Lata Mangeshkar, the best-known and most respected film singers in India by Harish Bimani.
It is a very well written book mainly dealing with Lataji’s personality and talent and various concerts she undertook in her later career.
The author has a 14-year-long “concert association” with Lata ji, which took them “through 21 countries, 53 cities and 123 shows “. He takes the readers on a privileged ride along, enabling them to eavesdrop on conversations aboard air-craft, in hotel lobbies and rooms, backstage in concert halls, rehearsals, parties, just about everywhere.
Bhimani does attempt to give a portrait of the singer as a person. And the picture which emerges is one of a rather shy but firm individual. All steel beneath her lovely, rustling silks and half-smile.
The author says, as an individual Lata ji was very determined towards her work and ethics but at times she was very autocratic . She was also very much aware of her rights as a singer.
The author does not forget to mention Lata ji’s fondness for cars. She bought her first car, a Hill-man, when she was just eighteen .
There has been almost a conspiracy of silence about Lata ji’s private life, her relationships. Bhimani tries to throw some tantalising titbits regarding the same.
The book has some really good collection of photographs. They tell more of the story of the life of India’s nightingale. Whether it’s the child Lata with ambition shining in those shy eyes, a teenaged Lata posing proudly beside her new Hillman, Lata as a fairy, lip-synching her first Hindi song, off-guard family shots. They tell a beautiful story in themselves.
Overall it is a great book on Lataji’s life and work. Although Bhimani has tried to cover a lot, Lataji is such a huge legend, it’s hard to cover even twenty five percent of her life in one book.
After reading the book, we understand Lata Mangeshkar as one strong willed woman who is with the heart of gold and the one who cannot stand injustice. She is dignity personified!
No doubt, a must read for all Lata fans and fanatics!
- ©️Sheetal Pradhan Deshpande
