Ranu Mondal became an overnight Internet sensation after a video of her singing one of Lata Mangeshkar’s songs at Ranaghat railway station went viral. The lady got an opportunity to sing a song, with Himesh Reshammiya.
Ranu has recorded 3 songs ‘Aadat’, ‘Teri Meri Kahani’ and ‘Aashiqui Mein Teri 2.0 with Himesh Reshammiya for his upcoming film Happy Hardy and Heer.
Well now, when Lata Mangeshkar was asked about Ranu Mondal, she said, “Agar mere naam aur kaam se kissiko bhala hota hai toh main apne-aap ko khush-kismat samajhti hoon (If anyone gets benefited from my name and work then I feel fortunate).
Lata Mangeshkar on Ranu Mondal’s success
“But I also feel imitation is not a reliable and durable companion for success. By singing my songs or Kishoreda’s (Kumar), or (Mohd) Rafi Saab’s, or Mukesh Bhaiyya or Asha’s (Bhosle) numbers, aspiring singers can get short-term attention.
“But it won’t last,” says Lataji, at the cusp of 90.
She feels great concern for the talent on the music shows on television. “So many children sing my songs so beautifully. But how many of them are remembered after the first flush of success? I only know of Sunidhi Chauhan and Shreya Ghosal.”
Lataji’s advise to aspiring singers: “Be original. By all means sing the evergreen songs by me and my colleagues. But after a point the singer must seek and find his or her own song.”
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Railway station singer Ranu Mondal records her second song with Himesh Reshammiya, watch
Lataji gives the example of her own sister. “If Asha (Bhosle) had not insisted on singing in her own style she would have remained in my shadow forever. She is the biggest example of how far individuality can take one’s talent to.”