Lata gifts Sonu a radio show

Lata gifts Sonu a radio show

Lata Mangeshkar's childlike laughter reflects her personality when she talks about lending voices for young Bollywood sirens.

"Since the time I started my career, I knew what I wanted. Be it a sad song or a classical number, I would give it a character. People identified with my voice, which I believe is still young," smiles the legendary playback singer, who recorded a show with Sonu Nigam for RadioCity. Lata playfully taps Sonu when he confesses that interacting with her was the best gift he could ever get on his birthday.

When she recalls that the last time she recorded a radio show was with RJ Ameen Sayani years ago, Sonu smiles: "I had heard the show live didi." This new show, besides playing Lata's hit numbers, was also an occasion to catch up with her. "I love going out though I have arthritis and cannot travel too much," she sighs.

When reminded of her fellow singers - from late SD Burman to late Kishore Kumar — she admits to missing all of them. "I was with Kishore Kumar on last his birthday before he passed away. We were in London and he was cracking jokes, making us all laugh. I miss all my old friends who are no more."