Shabbir Kumar Recalls Being Mesmerized By Lata Mangeshkar

MUMBAI, (IANS) – Popular 1980s singer Shabbir Kumar, who sang some memorable tracks in movies such as ‘Betaab’, ‘Coolie’, ‘Mard’ and ‘Woh 7 Din’, recalled his first meeting with legendary singer Lata Mangeshkar and getting an opportunity to sing with her.

Shabbir said: “I was recording for Pancham da (R.D. Burman) for the film ‘Betaab’ and that was when I got an opportunity to sing with didi (Lata Mangeshkar). You can say it was one of the biggest achievements of my life. In the beginning, I didn’t even know that I was going to sing a duet with Lata didi, it was Pancham da who broke the news to me later, just before recording the song.”

He added: “I was shocked that how can someone so legendary get ready to sing with me without taking any auditions or voice tests because if I was in her place, I would have definitely not sung with a newcomer rather I would have auditioned somebody first.”

Shabbir remembered how he was mesmerized by her voice. He said: “Without any test or anything I was there with her recording the song ‘Baadal Yuu Garajataa Hai’, and I was completely lost in didi’s voice that I messed up my lines repeatedly. Lata didi sensed that I was being nervous, so she asked Pancham da to take a break and then offered me to have tea with her, and I said ‘yes’ immediately. She started initiating normal conversations with me about my house, my family, etc to make me feel comfortable. Gradually I opened up and started feeling more relaxed around her, and then we went up to record the song.”