Lata Ji was ‘phenomenally’ loved by Pakistanis: Shabana Azmi

Lata Mangeshkar, whose warm and radiant voice captured hearts for more than half a century, bid farewell on Sunday amid acute grief and shock. The ‘Nightingale’ leaves behind an indelible impact on the culture industry of both Pakistan and India since the partition, when she first crooned into the ears of the infant nations.

The echoes of her voice, softest in texture but vigorous enough to create crevices into the otherwise impermeable borders, poured sweet oil on the troubled waters of the subcontinent. The heart-warming outpouring of grief from Pakistani admirers speaks volumes about this – the choral unanimity of affection has drowned out the cacophony of hostility, however short-lived it might be.

Speaking to The Express Tribune, veteran Indian actor Shabana Azmi recalled the phenomenal reverence exhibited by Pakistanis for the ‘nightingale of India’ during her visit to the country years ago.

“I remember many years ago when I visited Pakistan the outpouring of love for Lataji was phenomenal,” the Libaas actor reminisced. “I was told that much as they would love to have her perform in Pakistan all their powers put together would not be able to control her crazy fans from controlling themselves to get a glimpse of her because she was so loved,” Azmi added, for whom Lata had lent voice in many films including Masoom (1983) and Libaas (1988).

“What a compliment and testimony to the fact that music can only unite not divide.” She said the magic of the legendary singer’s voice cut through all man-made barriers. “I consider myself fortunate to belong to an era and a country where Lata Ji lived. She was like no other!”

Hours after the death of Mangeshkar, while she was being cremated, Prime Minister Imran Khan took to Twitter to mourn the death of “one of the truly great singers the world has known." He wrote, "With the death of Lata Mangeshkar the subcontinent has lost one of the truly great singers the world has known. Listening to her songs has given so much pleasure to so many people all over the world.”

Sufi maestro Abida Parveen also shared her two cents on Mangeshkar's demise. In an interview with Republic India, the Coke Studio artist said, "Lata Ji's soul was selected by God we can't picture it, she was someone whose voice sparked with its own uniqueness. Whatever songs she has sung, she would completely immerse herself into them. The pain would be reflected like a gift from God. She made the entire world her own with this gift. She was so humble, she would think nothing of herself."

Recalling an interaction with the Tere Liye crooner, Parveen went on to add, "I remember she was once asked- do you like your songs. She had replied, if I get another life, I would sing them again and correct them, she was so humble. Big people like her are never satisfied with their work. People can learn from her songs like they do from a school. I was once recording in India and heard Didi Ji is here, I left my recording, went to her and fell to her feet. I could not stop crying. She is someone who conquered souls, only spread love in this world and this is a universal message for the entire globe. She will be infamous on Earth and beyond," she said.

Pakistani politicians, along with stars of Pakistan’s entertainment industry, also paid respects and extended condolences.

“Lata was one of the best subcontinent vocalists ever. Almost all of our generations grew up listening to Lata for past 6 decades. Her contribution for promoting Urdu has been phenomenal,” PTI Senator Faisal Javed Khan said. Fawad Chaudhry also shared, “A legend is no more. Lata Mangeshkar was a melodious queen who ruled the world of music for decades she was the uncrowned queen of music. Her voice shall keep ruling the hearts of people for all times to come."

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