/> The passing away of Pandit Bhimsen Joshi brings to an end an entire ethos of Hindustani classical music. Pandit Joshi shared more than just the highest civilian honour the Bharat Ratna with Lata Mangeshkar. The two legendary singers shared a common affinity on many levels.

Recalling her close association with Panditji Lataji says, "I'd say a whole era of classical music ended with Bhimsenji. I knew Bhimsenji from the time when he was not that famous. As just another young classical singer he was introduced to me by sound recordist Minoo Katrak.

Minooji told me,'Bahut achcha gaata hai ladka. Tum usske liye kuch karo.' Luckily Shankar-Jaikishan called Bhimsenji to sing for a film called Basant Bahar. Shankar-Jaikishan invited me to listen to Bhimsenji singing.I sat enraptured all through the recording. It was a jugalbandi duet featuring Bhimsenji with Manna-da (Dey).

Kamaal ki baat yeh hai.It was song situation showing the hero locked in a jugalbandi with another singer. Since the hero sang in Manna-da's voice Manna-da won, Bhimsenji lost the jugalbandi when in fact his riyaaz-trained voice was unbeatable in the classical arena.Such was the cinematic licence!We were very sad to see Bhimsenji lose in the jugalbandi."

Lataji's bonding with Pandit Joshi started at this point. "After the historic recording with Shankar-Jaikishan I met Bhimsenji in Kolkata when I had gone for a show.One morning at 4 am there was loud knocking on the door of my hotel room.

We were frightened.When we asked who it was the familiar warm voice said,'My Bhimsen hoon'. I asked him what brought him to my door so early. He had heard my father (Pandit Dinanath Mangeshkar) sing.

And he wanted to share his joy at hearing my father's song with me. That morning in Kolkata Bhimsenji sang one of my father's songs. I was spellbound.Bhimsenji turned out to be very familiar with my father's music. It bonded us for life."

Thereafter Pandit Joshi's climb to renown started.

Recalls Lataji, "Panditji became so famous.He built his own home in Pune.Whenever I was in Pune it was mandatory for me to visit him.Here in Maharashtra we have delicacy in which butter is spread over a roti. Bhimsenji used to invite me home to have that roti. His wife too loved me lot."

The two also bonded as Bharat Ratna winners. "After I got the award he never called me'Lata'. He addressed me as'Bharat Ratna'. When I'd visit him he'd announce me arrival with,'Aa Bharat Ratna aale.Prepare something good for her to eat.'

Lataji is fond of the entire Joshi family. "He loved me like a daughter.I am very close to the family specially the eldest son.My home in Pune is very close to his. In minutes I'd drop in at his place. I was a frequent visitort to his place.

The one thing thast I noticed about Bhimsenji was his passion for singing and music. He was totally single-minded in his devotion to music. And he only talked about music. He kept singing constantly.His elder son Jayanta too loves me a lot. I'm part of their grief now. "

Lataji and Bhimsen Joshi collaborated on a Bhajan album called Ram Shyam Gun Gaan. Recalls Lataji, "It's true we belonged to two different disciplines of music. But Bhimsenji sang quite a lot for films in Hindi, Kannada, etc.

Music composer Srinivas Khale suggested that Bhimsenji and I do an album together.Pandit Narendra Sharma who was also very close to me, wrote the Bhajans. Bhimsenji had done many other albums with Khale Saab.

But it was a first for me. Very frankly I was scared to sing with Bhimsenji.What if I faltered? !....He was known for his Bhajans. At his concerts he was more in-demand for Bhajans than any other kind of singing. ...He did regular riyaaz. I sang in films.I kept shying off facing him at the mike.

But he was so relaxed with me.He never let me feel he was such a great singer.It was almost like I was singing with Mohd Rafi Saab.The recordings went off smoothly. The album was immensely liked."

Fond memories merge into a sense of regret. "For some time now Bhimsenji was ill and unable to sing properly. But even during illness when he couldn't sit up properly he's prop himself up and sing.

He continued to host an annual music festival in honour of his guru Sawai Gandharva for many years every winter.Bhimsenji never forgot to honour his Guruji. I think that's lovely.

At the annual festival classical musicians from every discipline performed. Every musician loved and respected him. He lived so simply and so austerely. His wife (his former student)'s premature death deeply affected Bhimsenji. I feel deeply saddened. The appeal of classical music is waning. I'd like to go back to my classical riyaaz. But it doesn't seem possible."