Lata Mangeshkar, a cricket fan and more!

Clayton Murzello provides an anecdotal tribute to Lata Mangeshkar, who passed away on Sunday

THE LATE LATA MANGESHKAR was no ordinary cricket fan. Hemant Kenkre, a popular Mumbai cricketer and Sachin Tendulkar’s first ‘A’ division captain, who was closely associated with the Mangeshkar family, tells us that she understood the nuances of the game. She appreciated the correctness of Sunil Gavaskar’s technique in his straight drive and the elegance involved in Gundappa Viswanath’s famous square cut. In fact, Lataji’s mother—affectionately called Mai—was also a big cricket fan, whose favourite cricketer was Polly Umrigar.

HEMANT KENKRE also recalls a party hosted for the Indian cricketers during the late 1950s or early 1960s when she was pictured serving food to cricketers like Umrigar, Nari Contractor and Ramakant Desai among other cricketers. “The cricketers were presented gold rings as well,” recalls Kenkre, whose conversations with her were more about cricket than music.

Lata Mangeshkar watched by ex-BCCI chief Raj Singh Dungarpur officially invites Sachin Tendulkar over the phone to be part of an India Invitational XI v Sri Lanka Invitational XI match to raise funds for the Dinanath Mangeshkar Hospital in Pune. The match was held at Wankhede on March 29, 2003. Pic/MID-DAY Archives

IT CAN BE SAFELY PRESUMED THAT LATAJI'S GREAT FRIEND, Raj Singh Dungarpur, regaled her with some great cricket stories. If you were lucky, you could get him to talk about the queen of melody and he spoke of her with great reverence. One evening, Raj Singh got involved in a lengthy telephone call while returning from Lonavala to Mumbai with cricket writer Ayaz Memon at the wheel and former Test player Yajurvindra Singh for company. Curiosity got the better of Yajurvindra and he wanted to know who the ex-BCCI president was talking to. “A little known person called Lata Mangeshkar,” replied Raj Singh techily. There were no more queries from Yajurvindra or Memon for the rest of the journey.

KARSAN GHAVRI, the former India all-rounder remembers Lataji taking her position in the first row of the stand next to the players’ enclosure at Wankhede Stadium Test matches. She even figured in the Films Division footage of the 1979-80 India v Pakistan Mumbai Test. Ghavri reveals that a party was held after India won that Test at manager Raj Singh Dungarpur’s room where the Indian team members were presented with R5,000 by Asha Bhosle for the memorable victory—
India’s first Test win over their arch-rivals in 27 years. “The Mangeshkar family loved their cricket and we were so pleasantly surprised to receive the cash reward which was more than our match allowance,” says Ghavri.

Karsan Ghavri

UMESH KULKARNI, the Mumbai left-arm fast bowler, who was on India’s 1967-68 tour of Australia, remembers seeing Lataji and her family on numerous occasions on the first floor of the Cricket Club of India watching even inter LR Tairsee nets matches organsied by the late Vinoo Mankad, their coach. “When our side’s turn came to bat, we used to walk up and have a closer look at Lataji and her family. I will never forget her sister Ashatai coming for my benefit game in 1983 and giving me a gift. I had tears in my eyes as I watched the television coverage of Lataji’s last journey,” says Kulkarni.

SPORTS COMMENTATOR MILIND WAGLE recalls on Facebook: “I met Lata Mangeshkar a few times in my broadcasting career, But one [meeting] which I will remember forever is when I was anchoring the National Games in 1994. She was in the studios of Doordarshan to record a message for the Games. I introduced myself as Milind Wagle. Her reply stunned me. She said that Doordarshan was the only channel in the 1970s and 80s and she would watch Sports Roundup and remarked I have watched you in many shows. She ended by saying in Marathi, “Tuu chaan samalochan kartoos, maazha ashirwad (you anchor and commentate well. My blessings…)  That coming from a legend were words which always spur me on.”

Tweet talk

Sachin Tendulkar @sachin_rt: I consider myself fortunate to have been a part of Lata Didi’s life. She always showered me with her love and blessings. With her passing away, a part of me feels lost too. She’ll always continue to live in our hearts through her music.

Virat Kohli@imVkohli: Deeply saddened to hear about the demise of Lata ji. Her melodious songs touched millions of people around the world. Thank you for all the music and the memories. My deepest condolences to the family & the loved ones.

Babar Azam @babarazam258: End of a golden era. Her magical voice and legacy will continue to live in the hearts of millions worldwide. An unparalleled icon! RIP Smt. Lata Mangeshkar Ji.

Daren Ganga @DarenGanga: RIP Lata Mangeshkar, I grew up in the Caribbean listening to your timeless music…your music shall live on!!!

Mirabai Chanu@mirabai_chanu: End of an era. Rest In Peace Lata Mangeshkarji

Manika Batra @manikabatra_TT Heartbreaking #LataMangeshkar ji. Heartfelt condolences to her family. #RIP

Rani Rampal@imranirampal: Legendary singer Lata Mangeshkarji will forever live in our hearts. My condolences to her the family. May her soul rest in peace. Om Shanti

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