The Scandalous Tune

Parth Chauhan | Nift Mumbai

Recently, our melody queen Lata Mangheshkar has been accused of having an affair with well renowned Assamese balladeer Bhupen Hazarika by his estranged wife. The incidence has brought a lot of disgust and contempt to the fans of both Lata Ji and Bhupen Da. But, unlike this case of extra-marital affair where Lata Ji has been the target, she has also been on the other side being an accuser. Lata Ji claimed that Mohammed Rafi had apologised to her in writing for his bad actions about some royalty issues. This case resulted in an intensive outrage from the fans of Rafi Saab and his own son. People regarded this incidence as a big dishonour to the memory of the singer who is widely famous for his humble and kind behaviour and undoubtedly for his gifted talent of music.

  

The question that arises out of both these cases is that what the possible outcome of such claims and accusations is. Just for the sake to grab some public attention and media lights is it really necessary to pull such issues from the past and tarnish the image of these musical giants? What possible benefits can Ms. Priyamvada Patel reap from such a story about her ex-husband even if it is true and more than three decades of Rafi Saab’s death is Lata Ji still wary of competition in the Indian Cinema? Whatever the motive of these claims and revelations are, it is definitely not worth the havoc and damage it is causing to the various entities of music.

It is too sad to witness such issues being brought up by people who either have been very close to or those who themselves have been the maestros of this pure and divine form of art. Such actions are ravaging and sabotaging the very meaning of music and along that hurting the feelings of people who possess a passion for it. In this age of modern era, one should now realize the need to get out of these petty issues and try to focus on the bigger picture. The subjects of self-improvement and personal motivation are way far from jeopardizing other’s identity and if all that is too hard to understand, at least the purity, divinity and soul of music should not be tampered with in any case. Because, the people who have love for music are the ones who have faith in those who propagate it, and at some level the platform is same for all  no matter who that is Lata Ji, Bhupen Da or Rafi Saab. So, let us all try and follow the tune of ambrosial rather than scandal.