Lata's old recording unravelled

Lata Mangeshkar's fans are in for a rare treat. A 17-year-old private recording done by the singing legend for a temple has been unearthed by a quirk of fate. The album, Sumiran is set for an early release.

Lata has always had a soft spot for devotional songs. And singing for her brother Hridayanath has been a special challenge for her.

"By god's grace, all my albums with my brother have been perennially popular. My first non-film album with Hridayanath was Mogra Phulela recorded 25 years ago. And that's still selling," Lata said.

"Hridayanath is very particular about the way I sing. And I like that. He makes me sing until I achieve the quality he desires. My brother always says, 'In a recording room there are only 10 people to hear you. Once the song is recorded 100 million people will hear it. So who loses face? People will say Lata doesn't sing the way she used to.'"

Lata added that her brother is equally particular with every singer.

"He's just as particular with Asha or Usha. Hridayanath has the knowledge to achieve high quality in recording. He not only has a sound base in classical music but he also listens to the old songs of my father (Pandit Dinanath Mangeshkar) and uses them as a foundation for some of his compositions."