Hemlata, a Singer Drowned in Lata's Shadow

Hyderabad: When Dr Arvind Yadav speaks about Hemlata, there is a sense of admiration in his tone. It’s the voice of a biographer deeply invested in his subject, of a journalist seeking to uncover not just facts but the nuances of a life lived.

“She was drowned in the shadow of Lata Mangeshkar,” he says, and yet, Hemlata’s story, as put together by him in Daastan-e-Hemlata, is not one of despair but of quiet resilience, hidden triumphs, and a musical legacy that deserved to shine in its own right.

Dr Yadav, a Hyderabad-born journalist and storyteller, takes pride in uncovering what others often overlook. His biography of Hemlata, launched on November 23 at Sahitya Aaj Tak, is filled with revelations and anecdotes. It paints a picture not only of the singer’s struggles but also her spirit.

At age 13, Hemlata recorded her first film song. Over decades, she sang more than 5,000 songs in 38 languages. And yet, her life was haunted by nicknames like “Baby Lata” or “Saasti Lata” that reduced her unique talent to a comparison.

According to Dr Yadav, Hemlata’s story is far more complex than mere imitation. In 1982, heavily pregnant and long past her due date, she recorded “Kaun Disha Mein Le Ke Chala Re Batuhia” for the film ‘Nadiya Ke Paar’. At a time when doctors advised pregnant women to avoid singing beyond their second trimester.

Dr Yadav recounts this episode with admiration and awe. “No singer has ever recorded a song nine months pregnant,” he shares, adding that this biography is filled with such untold stories.

“Even Hemlata’s family, her son, and close friends are unaware of some details revealed in the book” he says. He also mentions her father, Pandit Jaychand Bhatt, who was a Hindustani classical musician of the Kirana Gharana who once trained Bengal’s Gopal Mallick.

The book also offers a rare glimpse into Hemlata’s interactions with Lata Mangeshkar. In one anecdote, Mangeshkar reads Hemlata’s palm and predicts a destiny rich with fortune, provided she continues to work diligently. Moments like these lend Daastan-e-Hemlata its authenticity.

Dr Yadav’s journey in writing this biography is also compelling. Known for his incisive journalism and biographies of luminaries like C.N.R. Rao and Dr Padmavati, he is a storyteller driven by a deep love for music. “I’ve interviewed legends like Bhimsen Joshi,” he shares. Hemlata’s story, for him, is not just a tribute to her talent but also a narrative of an inspiring woman who has had an indelible impact on Indian music and of a life well lived.

“People will be motivated,” he says, hopeful that readers will find inspiration in Hemlata’s story which is a reminder that even in the shadow of greatness, it is possible to leave a legacy of one’s own. The biography is currently available in Hindi, with plans for translations into English, Telugu, Marathi, and Malayalam by 2025.