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Discourse with Radha Mangeshkar
July 7th, 2009
Saregama, one of the largest music archive in India recently released Radha Mangeshkar’s debut album “Naav Mazaa Shami”. She belongs to Mangeshkar gharana and therefore has in-built talent and voice. She is daughter and disciple of Pandit Hridayanath Mangeshkar and niece of Lata Mangeshkar. Lataji did the honours and released this Marathi album. The album consists of 6 songs, diverse yet tuneful in their own way. The album gives new expression to the traditional folk songs highlighting varied culture and colors of Maharashtra. She is all set to make a mark and create a standard for her own self by only inheriting talent and not the tag. She optimistically conversed and shared her experience, thoughts and future prospect in the rap session.
Q. 1: What made you debut with a Marathi album?
Ans. 1: I have been staying connected to Marathi songs by performing in several stages shows since childhood. I even use to sing duet songs along with my father. And it wasn’t pre- decided that I’ll debut with Marathi album. This was an opportunity that came on my way and I went ahead with it.
Q. 2: What does it feel to be successor of two generations of Mangeshkar family? And do you undergo any pressure because of the ‘tag’?
Ans. 2: I feel blessed to belong to family which has produced artist with golden voice. And I respect and value this treasure. I am avoiding pressure on me. And feel the need to go easy with it. But, unwanted pressure from people around and media comes automatically.
Q. 3: What you have to say about the album?
Ans. 3: Album is based on Marathi folk songs. It will showcase varied colors of Maharashtra. One is a koli song, two are Goan-based. The album is conceived by my father. One can’t say that through this album we are re-discovering our roots.
Q. 4: What are your views about several reality shows on singing?
Ans. 4: It’s difficult to make your ground in this industry and every are not born with silver spoon unlike me. I just have display my work others need to work on their identification and struggle the way out. That’s why I feel these reality shows form a platform for the talents which are in ample in our country but lack in explosure.
Q. 5: Whom do you admire and look up to?
Ans. 5: I admire Lata Mangeshkar and my father. Whatever I’ve learnt is from them and therefore I dedicate my knowledge and my understanding of the music to them.
Q. 6: What do you listen to?
Ans. 6: I really like soft old film numbers by Lata didi. I loved music composed by Lakshmikanth Payarelal. And in western music, I love Beatles, Barbara Streisand and Celine Dion. In Bollywood I love Sunidhi Chauhan’s voice.
Q. 7: Whom you desire to lend voice in Bollywood?
Ans. 7: All the leading female actors of Bollywood are doing awesome work. I can’t pick one of the slots. Will love to lend voice to all of them.
Q. 8: What are your future plans?
Ans. 8: I am the easy-going type. Won’t rush with offers. Whatever opportunity comes in the way, will surely grab it. But I’ve no hurry to scuttle with things, be it Marathi offers or Hindi ones.
