Hridaynath Mangeshkar leaves Dubai spellbound

Youngest Mangeshkar sibling takes legacy forward at concert as he visits Dubai to launch website on Lata Mangeshkar.

When Hridaynath - 'Lord of hearts' - as his name indicates took to the stage to mesmerize 500 plus music lovers at 'Al Adil presents Hridaynath Mangeshkar - Bhaav Sargam' at Emirates International School, Dubai, the applause and affection showered by Dubai residents on the youngest of the Mangeshkar siblings and maestro of Marathi and Hindi music knew no limits.
In an exclusive interview with Khaleej Times, Hridaynath and his daughter Radha shared their experiences and the challenges of carving a niche beyond the huge legacy of the Mangeshkar dynasty. "We all are independent and unique and cannot be measured with one yardstick. Didi, Asha, Usha, Meena and me, we all have our own talents and to evolve out of the conventional assumption of the Mangeshkar name and to stand out as our own talent has always been a challenge but a rewarding experience. My sole aim is that my music should not be forgotten in two days' time but create a spell and make a place in my audiences' hearts for days and years to come," said Hridaynath.
Apart from performing at the concert, the composer and singer, who is in his late seventies, was also visiting Dubai and Muscat to inaugurate the website www.lataonline.com, started by Dubai-based Dr. Mandar Bichu.
Hridaynath has played a pioneering role in training Radha, who is in her mid-30s and conducts her own programme titled Meera Soor Kabeera. "Yes I have been trained by my father and am blessed to be born in the Mangeshkar family, but I have worked very hard for it. The journey was never easy. I have done my 'riyaaz' ( singing classical songs for hours to get that perfect style) and have arrived where I am today. Blessed by my father who is also my guruji, I have managed to carve new compostions and music," said Radha.
Radha is now currently doing her Ph.D in Indian philosophy and is busy working on Rabindrasangeet, a programme of which is shortly scheduled in October itself.
The programme at Emirates International School was spiced up with Hirdayanth singing his popular tracks as well as slightly out of the way numbers with his daughter Radha proving to be a perfect foil. They were accompanied by wonderful percussionists, a superb violinist (who also sang a song earning shouts of 'once more'!) and a veteran keyboard player. Tracks performed included Gagan Sadan, Mogara Phulala, Dolkar, Maaje Raani Maaje Moga, Gomu Sangatine, Jambhul Pikalya Zadakhali, Vedaat Marathe Veer Daudale Saat, Ne Majsi Ne, Jivalaga, and Dayaghana.
The listeners were in a for major surprise, when in the midst of the programme, Hridaynath called Lata Mangeshkar and made her speak to the audience assuring fans of her affection and arrival in Dubai.

Dr Mandar Bichu, Managing Director, Mandar Medical Centre, on the website www.lataonline.com
"Indian melody queen Lata Mangeshkar's music has created the deepest impact on my sensitivity and creativity.After writing two books on her music (Gaaye Lata Gaaye Lata in Marathi and Lata -Voice of the Golden Era in English), I realised that even though I have given my perspective on her art and sociocultural influence through my own writing, I should also try and involve a much larger community of readers and writers in appreciating her incomparable contribution. The launching of www.lataonline.com was a step in that direction. It has already archived more than 4000 videos/songs, hundreds of photographs and dozens of insightful articles, interviews and tributes. It is a work in progress and will keep adding new material.
"As an editor and curator of the site, my job is to bring like-minded writers together and make this stuff available to the general public at one portal. It is a labour of love.
"Hridaynath Mangeshkar, besides being Lataji's brother, is a singer-composer par excellence and a legend himself. Many of Lataji's finest albums have been composed by him. I am thrilled that he has launched this website.
"The only wish now is more and more music lovers keep visiting. So please bookmark the site and immerse yourself in the timeless musical world of Lata Mangeshkar!"