The winning combination

Says Lata, “Pancham always gave the right song to both of us. He would tell me, ‘Whatever I compose for you, I can never let Asha sing and vice versa’. Therefore, songs like Raina Beeti Jaye or Beeti Na Beetayi Raina came to me. And why just the classical numbers? R D gave me Bahon Mein Chale Aao, which I consider as his career’s best.”

Sources say that on one occasion, he told Asha Bhonsle that she was the Gary Sobers of film music, while Lata was the Don Bradman.

Lata’s rapport with R D remained unaltered even when he married Asha. It so happened that Lata had sung R D’s first and last tracks.