A 1998 file photo of Sivaji Ganesan and Lata Mangeshkar at a felicitation where they

were presented with life time achievement awards by "Sies" as part of their Golden
Jubillee celebrations of Indian Independence on 50 years of Indian Cinema - A
Panorama, in Mumbai
The veteran singer recalls her bond with the late actor Sivaji Ganesan on his 88th
birth anniversary on October 1

Melody queen Lata Mangeshkar says the lion of Tamil cinema Sivaji Ganesan wasnt just her
brother and that he loved her entire family, especially her mother.
Remembering the late actor on his 88th birth anniversary on Saturday, Lata said: He wasnt just
my brother, he loved my entire family, especially my mother. In the 1960s, a lot of my songs
used to be recorded in Chennai. I was quite often there, recording in studios. He would be in my
hotel and tell the driver to pick up my luggage and bring me to his home. I had to stay in his
home. I was given no choice in the matter. He was a wonderful human being.
Thick as thieves

She doesnt recall her first meeting with him, but said she shared an unforgettable experience.
Once all us siblings Asha, Meena, Usha and Hridaynath had gone to Chennai. We wanted
to travel further to see the Meenakshi Amman temple and Rameshwaram. Sivaji saab sent his
manager and three other people, two cars and his personal driver Shiva with us. Everything had
been arranged.
Only after this incident, we became really thick. He invited us home to dinner. He screened one
of his new Tamil films for us. Then after 10-12 days of his overwhelming hospitality in Chennai,
we returned to Mumbai.
She also said that he used to visit Mumbai for his theatre plays.
My mother noticed how physically strenuous it was for him to emote on stage. Before every
play of his in Mumbai, my mother sent Sivaji saab soup which we siblings would happily take to
him. In return, we got to see his plays. My mother was really fond of him.
Once he came to Mumbai en route to the US. My mother took him to her prayer room, did his
aarti, offered him prasad, and a gold chain. He left wearing the chain. When he returned from
the U.S., he came straight to our house. This was his first trip to the U.S.
After he deconstructed the back portion of his home, I had to stay in a hotel in Chennai. But a
visit and a meal at his place was a must. Though he wasnt keeping well for quite some time, he
came personally or sent his daughter to take me home. My favourite dishes were cooked. His
entire family dotes on me.
Bonding as artistes
As artistes, they both loved each others works, she said.
I thought he was awesome in all his Tamil films that Ive seen. He would send prints of films,
especially for me to see in Mumbai. The last time I saw him was in Thevar Magan (released in
1992). Till the end, he was a brilliant performer. Every Diwali, unfailingly, he sent clothes for
every member of the Mangeshkar family. Not once did he overlook this ritual. I was never
surprised by his largesse because I was his sister. Even if I forgot to send him a rakhi, hed never
forget his Diwali ritual.
She said that the two shared a rare bond.
He cared so much for me. Whenever I stayed in his house he left instructions before leaving to
shoot about which chutney I should be served with the dosa. Then the minute he returned for the
day, he would inquire about me. Asha and I had gone to Chennai together when his mother died.

While his father lived in the village, his mother lived with him. She was like a Goddess to the
entire household.
All three brothers Sivaji saabs elder brother, Sivaji and his younger brother lived
together under the same roof. The death of Sivajis younger brother shattered him. He felt he had
suffered irrevocable loss. The younger brother used to look after his entire professional interests.
Later, Sivaji saabs son Ramu took over.
The younger son Prabhu is a film actor like his father. Sivaji saab also has two daughters, both
married at an early age. He was a very orthodox man just like my father. He kept scolding my
sister Meena until her daughter Rachna was married. He completely believed in the joint-family
system. Everyone including his two sons and their wives stayed in a sprawling home.
Language of love
What language did they speak in?
The language of love. He knew enough Hindi to communicate that love. There has never been a
star like him in the south. And such humility! You cant imagine how many things he has gifted
me. I remember once I had gone to his home. I chattily expressed admiration for the nauratna
necklace that his wife was wearing.
He immediately told his Kamala Amma to take off the necklace and give it to me. It remains
one of my favourite pieces of jewellery which I wear quite often.
After the incident, she stopped expressing admiration for anything in his house.
When there was a celebration for my silver jubilee year in the film industry, he came to
Mumbai, presented me with a Saraswati idol, a gold chain and a special garland of flowers that
he had brought all the way from Chennai to Mumbai which he put around my neck in my house.
Ill always regret the fact that I couldnt meet him before his death. I recorded a song for
Ilaiyaraaja on May 17 in Mumbai.
I was supposed to go to Chennai for the recording. But was unable to do so because of ill
health. When Raja (Ilaiyaraaja) was here I inquired about Sivaji saabs health. Raja said, No no
no. He isnt well. You must go and see him or else youll miss the chance. The same night I left
for London. I told my sister Meena we must visit Sivaji saab when we return from London.
He had rung me up in London when I had received the Bharat Ratna (in 2001). He said
Congratulations He knew his end was near. Then just two days before his death, my nephew
Yogesh and I were trying Sivaji saabs number. We couldnt get through.

I think he was hospitalised on the same evening. When I heard about his death, I felt something
had been lost irrevocably. There shall never be another person like him. He used to be so warm.
He used to call her youngest sister Usha, a cat.
Whenever he came to Mumbai, he used to ask me to sing my Marathi devotional Ghanshyam
sundara. I sang for the first time for Ilaiyaraaja in the film that starred Sivaji saabs younger son
Prabhu in the film Anand. The minute Sivaji saabs elder son called me, I rushed to sing the
song.
He did act in a few Hindi films. But he always told me Hindi films didnt gel with him. He felt
uncomfortable in Hindi films, though he could carry it off. He was the lion of Tamil cinema.