Happy birthday, Lataji

As the legendary singer turns a year older today, Bollywood divas wish her the best, reports Kavita Awaasthi.

As Lata Mangeshkar turns 84 today, three leading ladies from Bollywood — Waheeda Rehman, Madhuri Dixit and Vidya Balan — wish the singer.

Madhuri-Dixit

Vidya Balan “I wish I could have lip-synced a song sung by the Nightingale of India. Ninety per cent of my favourite songs have been sung by Lataji. But my
all-time favourite song by her is ‘Beeti na beetayi raina’ from Gulzar saab’s film Parichay (1972).”

Waheeda Rehman “I want to wish her a very happy birthday, good health, happiness and love always. May Allah give her a long life. Lataji is a very nice and down-to-earth person. It has been a lovely experience knowing her. My favourite Mangeshkar song has to be ‘Aaj phir jeene ki tammana hain’ from (the Dev Anand-starrer) Guide (1965).”

Madhuri Dixit “Lataji is the most humble person I know. She has a great sense of humour. Her songs are a reflection of her simple and enchanting self. It is hard to choose one favourite song of hers as she has sung some beautiful ones for me. But I would pick ‘O Ramji’ from Ram Lakhan (1989). It’s special for me because it marked the first time Lataji sang for me. I wish her all the happiness, good health and a long joyous life.

— Inputs by Shalvi Mangaokar