Continued from part one…
But Pradip asked me to wait. Later he told me that he telephoned Lata and she agreed to sing with sister Asha. I think this incident took place on January 21, 1963, if I remember correctly…
Lata vs Asha – Who is the loser..?
On January 23 I called up Lata and Asha for rehearsals in Mumbai. Lata came first, followed by Asha later on. I wrote down the song and gave it to them, but before rehearsals could begin, Lata said to Asha, “Why don’t you tell Ram (C. Ramchandra) that you are unwell, and cannot perform at the Republic Day function..?”
Asha took me outside the rehearsal hall and said, “Anna (C. Ramchandra), Lata doesn’t want me to sing the song. I’m not coming to Delhi.” I said to Asha, “But I’ve already booked a flight for you, and you’ve promised that you would come. Please come.” But Asha swore, “I’m not coming,” and she left the hall. I felt sad and utterly disappointed to see Asha pull out…
Tight secrecy about the song:The song begins with a happy note but later on it turns sad. Only few of my musicians knew about it. Even Lata had not done any rehearsals yet. I taped the song for her and asked her to come to Delhi a day earlier ahead of the concert…
Lata Mangeshkar arrived in Delhi on January 26 and stayed in Ashoka Hotel, where I was also put up. That day she rehearsed very hard for hours on end. The programme was scheduled on January 27 at 2.30 in the afternoon. Two plane loads of musicians, artistes, chorus boys and girls arrived in Delhi from Mumbai on the morning of January 27…
Then my turn was last, and an announcement was made to that effect. Lata, myself and the musicians walked over to the stage. As I was standing, I said, “One, two…,” but the music didn’t start. Somehow (best flautist in the film industry) Manohari had forgotten how to play his piece due to lack of rehearsal. I was nervous and began to sweat heavily. Then I instructed Manohari, “You must start now. Once again, one, two…” and it started well…
Thank God..! All went smoothly, rest is the history…
At the end of the concert, music maestro Naushad Ali, Raj Kapoor and Dililp Kumar showered me with complimentsand affection. Movie moghul Mehboob Khan remarked, “Annaji, all the film industry is very proud of you. We’ll walk around with our chins up!”
That was the happiest day of my life and the climax of my musical talent. The tremendous appreciation for the artiste in me was never like it before and never will be again… Jai Hind, Jai Hind Ki Sena, Jai Hind..!
1-3) Rare Original 78rpm records part 1& 2… 2) C. Ramchandra with Lata Mangeshkar at the historic live performances of the song, ‘Aye Mere Watan Ke Logo’ on Republic Day, January 26, 1963…
By the way, Kavi Pradeep was not invited to New Delhi for that historic function.But Kavi Pradeep sings “Aye Mere Watan Ke Logon” in the presence of Jawaharlal Nehru at a function at R.M. High School, Mumbai on March 21, 1963…
To be continued in part three… Pranam Un Dulahno Ko Mera – Asha Bhosle, Kavi Pradeep and C Ramchandra.Stay in tune with regards,Jayant.
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