New Delhi: Veteran actor Saira Banu keeps sharing various anecdotes about her and her late husband Dilip Kumar on Instagram. On the occasion of Raksha Bandhan, Saira shared about the brother-sister bond between Dilip Kumar and singer Lata Mangeshkar.
Saira took to Instagram and shared a few pictures of Dilip Kumar and the singer and wrote a long note recalling their love for each other. The actor said Kumar and Mangeshkar would travel to their work locations in local trains and shared their "thoughts, experiences, and sought each other's advice".
"The Kohinoor of Indian Cinema Dilip Sahib and the nightingale of the Music Industry of India Lata Mangeshkar held a connection beyond the dazzle of their stupendous stardom. They shared the bond of a brother and sister. In those golden quiet bygone days this legendary two-some found it comfortable to travel from their homes to their work spots in local trains which are also known as the life-line of this marvellous city Mumbai.”
“It was during this travelling time that they shared their thoughts, experiences, and sought each other’s advice. It was at one such journey that Sahib guided Lataji on how much the heart of Urdu lies in its flawless pronunciation and how something as simple as a Nukta adds a beautiful addition to words. Sahib emphasised that one must own the spoken languages with mastery. Lataji, an obedient sister in every sense, worked upon his advice and sought an Urdu tutor’s assistance. Since then, the world bore witness to her flawless pronunciation in her songs,” she added.
Banu also said despite being occupied with their work commitments, the actor and the singer would meet on every Raksha Bandhan.
“Despite being busy with work or travel or any personal commitments, they both would find a way to meet each other on Rakshabandhan and Lataji would tie the sacred Rakhi on Sahib’s hand. To my delight they both unfailingly followed this ritual year after year and I in return to this beautiful gesture sent her a brocade sari to her taste each time!”
Saira Banu also shared that Dilip Kumar introduced her at the Royal Albert Hall in London.
She continued, “Dilip Sahib bestowed upon her the honour of being introduced at the prestigious Royal Albert Hall in London where the echoes of the first Indian concert resounded. With utmost simplicity he called her on the stage , implicit charm. “Ye meri choti si behen bohat mukhtasar si, main inhein introduce karne aaya hoon”. The audience roared with appreciation. Thousands of long playing records were made and sold to the public of this same function. Many years later he introduced her again similarly at the London Palladium.”
She said the bond the two icons shared remained intact "until the very end".
She concluded, “This bond of brother and sister remained until the very end, in sickness and in health. She often came to our home to visit Sahib and they ate lunch or dinner together. The very last time that she came here she lovingly fed him with her own hands and they made such a loving picture together. Such was the love they shared…monumental!”
Dilip Kumar died in July 2021 and Lata Mangeshkar passed away a year later in February.