EXCLUSIVE: “I got here to be referred to as the voice of Smita Patil,” says Preeti Sagar
“Music is my inheritance”
Happily, I used to be uncovered to one of the best of the each worlds, schooling and leisure. My mom, a Gujarati, was an English professor at Bhavan’s Faculty, whereas Dad was a Mathur from the Kayastha neighborhood in Northern India. The Kayasthas have songs for each event, weddings, childbirth, festivals. As a toddler, I loved singing with Dad. Music is my inheritance. As soon as Lata Didi’s Tu jahan jahan chalega (Mera Saaya, 1966) was taking part in on the radio. I too sang alongside. Mom realised my potential however she didn’t encourage me as I used to be solely within the seventh normal. It was within the late ’60s, once I was in school 10, that I sang the primary industrial for the newly launched Vividh Bharti within the late ’60s. It was for Kashmir Snow, a chilly cream. I started getting affords to sing jingles. The Liril cleaning soap jingle, composed by Vanraj Bhatia, turned extraordinarily widespread. Vanraj uncle and my mom had been pals. They’d studied on the New Period Faculty. Vanrajji advised me in his inimitable model, “Chalni mara maate gaani!” (Come on, sing for me!). By way of the years, each time the Liril advert was revamped, I used to be requested to render the signature melody. I sang greater than 10,000 jingles, together with these for Nirma, Pan Paraag, Hawkins, Lipton, Amul…
“My coronary heart is thrashing”
I’d simply joined St Xavier’s Faculty when music director Rajesh Roshan requested Dad if I’d sing an English composition for Julie (1975). Dad mentioned, “Dekh lo!” (See for your self!) I used to be nervous on the recording day. Dad infused confidence in me, saying, “Beta, we didn’t method them. The music has come to us. You give it your finest. For those who really feel you may’t do it, express regret and depart. There’s nothing to concern.” We had been recording the music at Mehboob Studio. Rajesh Khanna and Shammi Kapoor had been capturing for Bundal Baaz (1976) on the ground beneath. Once they heard the observe, they got here as much as see who the singer was. On seeing Dad, they mentioned, “We didn’t know you had such a grown-up lady. The place had you hidden her?” Being an English music, I believed it could play within the background or at a membership within the movie. However once I watched Julie, I used to be stunned. It was filmed on the heroine Lakshmi. Rajesh had guided me to usher in the feelings, what phrases to emphasize, and how one can raise the notes. Additionally, the accent was pure, with out an American twang, so Indian audiences might relate to the quantity. I heard some individuals sitting behind me say, “Who’s sung the music? It doesn’t appear to be Lata Mangeshkar or Asha Bhosle.” I needed to show round and say, “I’ve sung it.” However I felt awkward. I acquired the Filmfare Award for it. It was a silver trophy as a result of Filmfare was celebrating its silver jubilee yr. I visited Delhi to obtain yet one more award for the music. Whereas I used to be strolling on the streets there, I might hear My coronary heart is thrashing taking part in from each home. It was heartwarming.
“Piya baaj pyaala piya jaaye na… was so complicated”
I’d sung many commercials composed by Vanrajji and made by Shyam Benegal’s Blaze Movies. So, when Vanrajji composed the music for Shyamji’s Nishant (1975), he supplied me the classical Piya baaj pyaala piya jaaye na. It was filmed on Shabana Azmi, who was my senior at school. The complicated Piya baaj was in distinction to the lighthearted Julie quantity. Surprisingly, it was okayed in a single take, although I’d not undergone any coaching in classical music. However for the following three days, I couldn’t speak. I’d exerted my vocal cords, the notes being excessive. Vanrajji’s speciality was that whilst you sang in a single observe, his music took one other route. However when heard collectively, the consequence was stunning.
“I used to be pregnant once I acquired the Filmfare Award for Manthan”
Shyam Benegal’s Manthan was impressed by Dr Verghese Kurien, the daddy of the White Revolution. A music was first written by a widely known Gujarati author. However on studying the lyrics, Shyamji mentioned, “This isn’t what I need. I need a mix of the Hindi and Gujarati dialect.” My sister, Neeti requested if she might try writing the lyrics. That’s how Mero gaam kaatha parey happened. On the recording, Shyamji advised me, “I don’t need the Preeti Sagar of Julie. I need you to sound like a folks singer, like a rabaran (a tribe in Gujarat).”
I pushed my voice to convey the sense of abandon. The phrase ‘doodh ki nadiya’ is metaphoric of the ‘milk revolution’. The road Mhare ghar angna na bhoolo na (Don’t neglect my residence, my courtyard) hints on the delicate romance between Girish Karnad and Smita Patil’s characters. When Prime Minister Shri Deve Gowda visited Anand in Gujarat, Dr Kurien invited me to sing the music. Prince Charles too visited Dr Kurien’s dairy farm in Anand in 1982. Dr Kurien requested me to return there and carry out dwell for Prince Charles as he beloved the music. The farmers had been current on the occasion too. Really, music has no language. Once I was honoured with the Filmfare Award for Manthan, I used to be anticipating my first child. Being within the final month of being pregnant, I walked as much as the stage slowly. I couldn’t maintain the ‘heavy’ Black Woman. Plus, there was an enormous hamper of cosmetics. Shashi Kapoor helped me carry it. Manthan re-released in India in June 2024. I attended the screening on the Eros theatre. Naseeruddin Shah got here and sat on the ground close to me and mentioned, “It’s taken me 48 years to let you know how a lot I like Mero gaam…”
“I used to be referred to as Smita Patil’s voice”
Bhumika (1977) is Smita Patil’s landmark movie, reportedly primarily based on the memoirs of Marathi actress Hansa Wadkar. I rendered three songs – Mera ziskila balam na aaya and Tumhare bina jee na lage and Saawan ke din aaye sajanwa. I got here to be referred to as her voice. The songs featured in a movie inside the movie. The lavni Mera ziskila balam had latkas and jhatkas. It needed to be sung with the identical gusto. Tumhare bin jee na lage was being filmed on Smita at Jyoti Studio. I bear in mind watching the shoot. Smita was my senior in St Xavier’s Faculty. She was already a newsreader on Doordarshan then. We’d admire her from a distance. She was dusky, had sharp options, and wore cotton sarees. Her automotive would come to select her up. She was so unassuming and easy that it was troublesome to think about that sooner or later she’d grow to be a movie star. In a memorable gesture, She visited me in hospital once I delivered my first little one, Akansha. When Smita handed away in 1986, I used to be shocked. She’d simply delivered a child (Prateik). I met Prateik not too long ago. He hugged me and mentioned, “Aunty, although I’ve by no means met you earlier than, I do know you as my mom’s voice.”
“Shashi Kapoor was sooo… charming”
In Shyam Benegal’s Kalyug (1981), the music What’s your downside? was filmed on newlyweds Anant Nag and Supriya Pathak on their honeymoon. Supriya’s character carries a cassette participant, which performs this music. I lent a carefree vibe to the observe. The lady is far youthful and identifies with the jargon of the music, whereas Anant’s character doesn’t. Shashi Kapoor, being the producer, was current in the course of the rehearsals and recording. He was so cute and charming. The second I’d see him, I’d concern how I’d have the ability to sing. He’d tease me, saying, “Theek se gaa varna dekh!” (Sing correctly, or else be careful!)
“No music was taken away from me”
My mother and father had been extraordinarily protecting of me and my sisters, Neeti and Namita. Dad accompanied me for each recording. I’d take a look at him for approval. He was my critic and cheerleader. The truth is, even business individuals referred to as me ‘Bitiya’. My mother and father insisted on preserving it dignified. They mentioned, “You’ll not ask for work. Individuals will method you if they need you.” I didn’t face any rivalry. No music was ever taken away from me. Individuals blame different singers, saying they didn’t allow them to are available. However nobody did that to me. I didn’t step on their toes both. Individuals get indignant in the event you attempt to snatch their work. By God’s grace, there was no want to do this. I used to be born with a silver spoon. Music was a pastime I pursued.
“I wasn’t positive if I’d be an excellent actress”
After showing within the music present Aarohi within the mid-’70s, I acquired many movie affords. The truth is, I used to be round eight once I was first supplied the function of Mini in Balraj Sahni’s Kabuliwala (1961). Dad had declined the supply. I used to be egocentric in a manner. I knew my vocal cords would maintain for a very long time however I wasn’t positive if I’d be an excellent actress. What if I flopped? As an actor, you must preserve your determine. It’s a must to torture your physique, perhaps resort to some pulls and tucks, even Botox. As a singer, individuals respect you however don’t hassle you. On the most, they might ask for an image. I don’t want bodyguards round to push away individuals attempting to the touch me. Above all, I’m a non-public individual. As soon as my music is over, I’m going residence. I’m not the partying or networking variety. That’s why after making a mark, my mother and father mentioned it’s time to cool down. Mine was an organized marriage. My husband, Soami Saran, was working with Mahindra & Mahindra. He retired as President of Various Applied sciences. After marriage, I might have continued and sung one million songs. I used to be supplied many reveals. However my daughters, Akansha and Aneesha, wanted me. In the present day, they’re married and have grown-up youngsters.
“Don’t get over-ambitious”
I’ve no regrets. I dabbled with every kind of music – bhajans, nursery rhymes, pop songs, a Fairy Tales collection… Even grey-haired males say that they’ve grown up on my nursery rhymes. That makes me marvel what my age is. It’s humorous and cute too! Within the Nineteen Nineties, Angela Movies, my father’s firm, produced the youngsters’s TV present Phulwari Bachchon Ki, hosted by Namita. We’ve made public service movies for all ministries in Delhi, together with the Ministry of Water Assets, Abroad Indian Affairs… We’ve additionally made company movies. I’ve began my YouTube channel referred to as Preeti Sagar Nursery Rhymes. I like youngsters. They appear to be uncared for in in the present day’s age of consumerism. My message to new singers is: don’t get over-ambitious. It might probably result in frustration. First, safe your bread and butter. Then pursue your ardour. If it’s meant to occur, it can. I by no means meant to be a singer. It was written in my haathon ki lakeer (the strains of my palm). Your total well-being is vital. I’ve lived a dignified life. The love of my followers is immense. What extra might I ask for? Kya laye the, kya lekar jaayenge…! (What did we convey, what’s going to we take away…)
