Memories, a fundamentally confusing set of images, thought, and senses one applies to fill the void left by the loved ones is immensely painful but it is the only treasure one can possibly hold on to. Remembering Lata Mangeshkar, Adinath Mangeshkar fondly said, “Realisation of who she was happened much later in life. To talk about her in limited time would be unfair. She continues to live in our every breath.”

The evening dedicated to Lata didi’s era was a delight to music enthusiasts. The teary-eyed fans remembered the legend through her many songs and fond memories narrated by Adinath Mangeshkar himself. Vibhavari Apte-Joshi brought the charm and gaiety of Lata Mangeshkar’s song ‘Mogra Phulala’ to life. Commenting on the song, Mangeshkar said, “It is almost impossible to analyse and dissect the tune. This is one of her 50 favourite songs.” Bringing out many dimensions of her personality, Adinath Mangeshkar talked about her fondness to spicy food, cricket, excellence in swordsmanship and golf. “Her self-control, discipline, and determination was unimaginable”, he added.

Capturing the expression and feeling of the evening Vibhavari Apte-Joshi singing softly some beautifully restrained vocals in ‘Kuch Dil Ne Kaha Kuch Bhi Nahin’ the scientific miracle in music, was a soul-stirring experience. Present at the event, Rahul Deshpande said, “Lata bai was blessed by the Goddess Saraswati and the source of inspiration to artists. Her voice is the nurturing hand of the mother-rocking her baby to sleep. I cannot explain in words, what she taught me.”

Where words failed to communicate, music through its many intricacies continued to convey the feelings. Joshi, through her diction and tone sang ‘Jeevan Dor Tumhi Sang Bandhi’, a delicate expression of love; the soulful and haunting ‘Ghar Aaja Ghir Aaye’; ‘Kalpa Vruksha Kanye Sathi’ an evocative tune; and many such beautiful renditions. India’s entry to Cannes ‘Piya Tose Naina Lage Re’, left an imprint on the audience.

Compered by Dr Amit Waikar, the programme was organised by Saktak Nagpur at Persistent Systems.