Raju Bharatan

Stories by Raju Bharatan

Lata loved to sport jeans

Lata loved to sport jeans

Rediff.com   10 Feb 2022

Where Shamshad Begum was charging Rs 900 for a song, Lata was prepared to settle for Rs 50 as she came on the scene. Raju Bharatan recalls yet another memorable incident from Lata Mangeshkar's incredible life.

When Lataji Stunned Noorjehan

When Lataji Stunned Noorjehan

Rediff.com   8 Feb 2022

Was this indeed the Lata who had started out with her, as a child star, in Badi Maa (1945)? Raju Bharatan recalls yet another memorable incident from Lata Mangeshkar's incredible life.

After Lata Arrived, Others Melted Away

After Lata Arrived, Others Melted Away

Rediff.com   7 Feb 2022

She came like a whirlwind to wipe out, in one stroke, practically all female singing competition, recalls Raju Bharatan.

How Lata Mangeshkar Proved Dilip Kumar Wrong

How Lata Mangeshkar Proved Dilip Kumar Wrong

Rediff.com   6 Feb 2022

"Those words stung me to such an extent that the following morning itself I started, seriously, learning Urdu with the sole idea of proving the great Dilip Kumar wrong."

When Dilip Kumar and Lata Mangeshkar didn't speak for 13 years

When Dilip Kumar and Lata Mangeshkar didn't speak for 13 years

Rediff.com   9 Jul 2021

The way Dilip came to the porch to receive Lata, you would never have guessed something was amiss between the two. Raju Bharatan's many wonderful insights into Dilip Kumar's life.

When Kishore Kumar created magic with the Burmans!

When Kishore Kumar created magic with the Burmans!

Rediff.com   1 Aug 2019

If Kishore Kumar were alive today, he would have turned 90 on August 4.

How Mohammed Rafi regained his confidence

How Mohammed Rafi regained his confidence

Rediff.com   24 Dec 2017

The incomparable Mohammed Rafi would have turned 93 today, December 24. Raju Bharatan salutes the legend.

The man who kept Rafi on his toes

The man who kept Rafi on his toes

Rediff.com   1 Oct 2008

Elitist critics dismissed him as a workhorse compared to singing thoroughbred Mohammed Rafi. For all that, Mahendra Kapoor -- who passed away on September 27 -- stayed the course, with a hoi-polloi following of his own, through 50 years. As a playback artiste of rare mental discipline, Kapoor never really went away.

She was one of a kind

She was one of a kind

Rediff.com   22 Aug 2007

A dear friend pays tribute to celebrated Urdu writer Qurratulain Hyder who passed into the ages on Tuesday