Farida Khanum inspired by Lata Mangeshkar

Farida Khanum, the Pakistan-based ghazal exponent who enthralled audiences recently at the Aravalli Concert, paid her tribute to singer Lata Mangeshkar. She revealed that Lataji is one of the artistes who has inspired her to a great deal and is also really sweet. She stated that she has performed with a number of Indian musicians and Lataji was also one of them.

Khanum spoke about how much love she had received in India and that she wouldn"t mind living here if she was invited. She believes that both countries have so much in their musical legacies that it could bridge any kind of gap.

She revealed that she performed with Mukhtar Begum in Kolkata before the latter moved to Mumbai. It was also around the same time that she met Begum Akhtar, that Akhtar encouraged her to grow. She also reveals that Akhtar was never jealous and that"s how it used to be back in their time. Khanum performed some memorable ghazals, which included her famous track, Aaj jaane ki zid na karo…

She also expressed the desire to work with Oscar-winning Bollywood composer AR Rahman. She asserted that she met him while on a flight to the US and he exclaimed that he was waiting for the day they would work together.