Lata Mangeshkar defends A R Rahman over CWG theme song

"I have not heard the song. What I am hearing is continuous criticism, which I don't like at all. Rahman is an extremely dedicated composer and people are getting too harsh because of just one failure," Lata Mangeshkar told PTI .

"It's just like people should not expect century from Sachin (Tendulkar) in every match. It happens in music also. Even the veterans do mistakes sometimes. I cannot say that every song of mine is perfect. Many a times I am not satisfied with what I have sung," said the Bharat Ratna awardee.

The CWG theme song "Oh Yaaro, Ye India bula liya" has got a lukewarm response. People have been saying that it lacks lustre and was either a result of a hurried job or the composer's powers were no longer as potent as before.
Although Rahman charged a whopping Rs. 5 crore as fee for the theme song, but it desperately lacks the verve or pace of Shakira's "Waka, Waka", which became a global hit during this year's football World Cup. It also falls well short of the composer's own rousing hits of the past.

Lata Mangeshkar, who turned 82 today, however, applauded the dedication and devotion of the Oscar winning music director.

"Whatever Rahman has created, must be a result of a lot of hard work. Sometimes audience do not like what we feel is our best. It happens and one cannot avoid it. In this case neither Rahman is wrong nor the audience," said the legendary singer.
The Indian nightingale, who has rendered her voice in some of the gems from Rahman like 'Jiya Jale' (Dil se), 'O Paalan haare' (Lagaan) and 'Luka Chhipi' (Rang de Basanti), felt that music is a passion for the Mozart from Madras and he wants to bring something new every time.

"I remember when he was working on his album "Vandemataram", one day at midnight he went to the Tamil director Bharat Bala and told him that he was ready with the song and wanted to record it then.

"They did the recording at night and then Bala made the video. It shows how sincere Rahman is towards his work," she added.

Bala, incidentally, is also the creative head of the ceremonies committee for the Delhi Games 2010. The video of CWG theme song is conceptualised and produced by Bharat Bala productions.