Kishore da scolded me for laughing before a rehearsal, recounts Kavita

Time of India

4 hours ago

Kavita Krishnamurti, reflecting on World Music Day, fondly remembers her experiences with musical giants like Manna Dey and Kishore Kumar. She recalls being deeply moved by Manna Dey's songs as a child and later performing with him for 18 years, learning valuable lessons through his silent presence.
On the occasion of World Music Day, today, (June 21) Kavita Krishnamurti goes down memory lane and recounts the lessons she learned from renowned veterans of the music world like
Kishore Kumar
and
Manna Dey
.
She says, "As a child, I remember being moved to tears when Manna Da's song Poochho Na Kaise played on the radio. I didn't understand the words, but I felt them deeply. Manna Da was like a God to me. Years later, when I first rehearsed with Manna Da, I had to pinch myself. I was singing with the legend who sang that song. Eventually, I began accompanying him for concerts. On stage, he didn't say much, just smiled, but his presence taught me everything.
I sang with him for 18 years, and each performance felt like an exam."
When asked about her experience with Kishore Kumar, Kavita revealed, "I never performed on stage with Kishore Da, our time was limited to the studio. I saw his dedication up close while recording for Mr. India. He began telling me stories about Khandwa, Ashok Kumar, BR Chopra, complete with sound effects from his mouth! I was in splits and then, when Pyare Bhai (Pyarelal of Laxmikant–Pyarelal) called for a mic rehearsal, I realised that my voice was affected by all that loud laughing.
Kishore Da then looked at me and said, 'You forgot you're supposed to sing!? Stop laughing; remember your responsibility.' That hit me. He was having fun, but he never lost focus. That day, I learned something unforgettable: no matter the joy or chaos around, when it's time to perform, you give it your all. That's the kind of professionalism I saw in legends like him."