Guwahati: years Mangeshkar’s seven-decade-long association with Assam which began in 1956 through renowned musician Bhupen Hazarika Not only was she a connecting link between Lata and Assam, but it also introduced her to a Bengali audience in the Northeast a year later.
Lata lent her voice to two songs in Hazarika’s directorial first Assamese film, Era Baatar Sur in 1956, and in 1957, she sang in Bengali under Hazarika’s musical direction. Till then, Lata had lent her voice to only a few Bengali songs.
Recalling the journey of harmony, noted composer Kamal Katki, who played guitar with Hazarika for a long time, said, “Rangeela Bansheete Ke Dake” and “Mone Rekho” – among Lata’s most memorable Bengali songs recorded in 1957 which he sang at a young age. That’s when he started singing in different Indian languages. The Assamese versions of both the songs – “Porohi Puvte Tulunga Navote” and “O Abhimani Bandhu” – remain in Hazarika’s list of all-time songs.
“In 1956, Bhupen da He went to Bombay to record Lata ji for his first Assamese film. He sang two songs in ‘Era Baatar Sur’ – ‘Jonakor Raat Asomir Mati’ and ‘Rod Puvabor Karo’. The second was a chorus with Hemant Mukherjee and Bhupen Da. That was the beginning of Lata ji’s contribution to the Assamese film industry through Bhupen Da,” said Katki. He said that the warm relationship started because of Hazarika’s iconic personality and melodies. “Lata ji was in love with Bhupen da’s composition. Bhupen da liked his Assamese accent and singing,” said Katki.
He said that whenever Lata used to come to Calcutta, she used to take rest at Hazarika’s house at 77 B Golf Club Road, Tollygunge. “Once a famous music company came to know about Bhupen da’s stay at his residence and requested both of them to perform two Bengali songs. Within two days Lata ji on Bhupen da’s tune and direction in 1957. Recorded two immortal songs,” said Katki.
Many of Hazarika’s songs have enriched Bengali music. But his association with Lata was later rewarded with evergreen songs in Bollywood. “Naino Mein Darpan Hai” was an instant hit in the Bollywood film Aaprakash (1974), where Lata performed magic with Kishore Kumar in Hazarika’s musical direction. In the 1980s, Lata sang two songs in Kalpana Lajmi’s first Hindi film “Ek Pal” under Hazarika’s directorial debut, and then sang three songs for Rudali in 1992. Rudali’s “Dil Hoon Hum Kare” was another popular Bollywood song to the tune of the original Assamese song “Buku Hom Hom Kore”. He also sang a few more Assamese film songs, including “Duyo Mukhmukhi” and “Kopi Uthe Kyo Tajmahal”. Lata visited Guwahati in 1984 and 1994 for live shows.
Renowned musician JP Das said that Latha’s death is a big blow to the Assamese music industry. “I have heard his songs since the early 1950s. His ‘these Kahan aa gaye hum is ‘my favourite,’ Das said, calling Lata a torchbearer even to some music directors. “People of Assamese salute him with the song Jonakor Rati Asomir Maati,” he said.
Lata lent her voice to two songs in Hazarika’s directorial first Assamese film, Era Baatar Sur in 1956, and in 1957, she sang in Bengali under Hazarika’s musical direction. Till then, Lata had lent her voice to only a few Bengali songs.
Recalling the journey of harmony, noted composer Kamal Katki, who played guitar with Hazarika for a long time, said, “Rangeela Bansheete Ke Dake” and “Mone Rekho” – among Lata’s most memorable Bengali songs recorded in 1957 which he sang at a young age. That’s when he started singing in different Indian languages. The Assamese versions of both the songs – “Porohi Puvte Tulunga Navote” and “O Abhimani Bandhu” – remain in Hazarika’s list of all-time songs.
“In 1956, Bhupen da He went to Bombay to record Lata ji for his first Assamese film. He sang two songs in ‘Era Baatar Sur’ – ‘Jonakor Raat Asomir Mati’ and ‘Rod Puvabor Karo’. The second was a chorus with Hemant Mukherjee and Bhupen Da. That was the beginning of Lata ji’s contribution to the Assamese film industry through Bhupen Da,” said Katki. He said that the warm relationship started because of Hazarika’s iconic personality and melodies. “Lata ji was in love with Bhupen da’s composition. Bhupen da liked his Assamese accent and singing,” said Katki.
He said that whenever Lata used to come to Calcutta, she used to take rest at Hazarika’s house at 77 B Golf Club Road, Tollygunge. “Once a famous music company came to know about Bhupen da’s stay at his residence and requested both of them to perform two Bengali songs. Within two days Lata ji on Bhupen da’s tune and direction in 1957. Recorded two immortal songs,” said Katki.
Many of Hazarika’s songs have enriched Bengali music. But his association with Lata was later rewarded with evergreen songs in Bollywood. “Naino Mein Darpan Hai” was an instant hit in the Bollywood film Aaprakash (1974), where Lata performed magic with Kishore Kumar in Hazarika’s musical direction. In the 1980s, Lata sang two songs in Kalpana Lajmi’s first Hindi film “Ek Pal” under Hazarika’s directorial debut, and then sang three songs for Rudali in 1992. Rudali’s “Dil Hoon Hum Kare” was another popular Bollywood song to the tune of the original Assamese song “Buku Hom Hom Kore”. He also sang a few more Assamese film songs, including “Duyo Mukhmukhi” and “Kopi Uthe Kyo Tajmahal”. Lata visited Guwahati in 1984 and 1994 for live shows.
Renowned musician JP Das said that Latha’s death is a big blow to the Assamese music industry. “I have heard his songs since the early 1950s. His ‘these Kahan aa gaye hum is ‘my favourite,’ Das said, calling Lata a torchbearer even to some music directors. “People of Assamese salute him with the song Jonakor Rati Asomir Maati,” he said.
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