Whenever I compose any tune, the only face that comes in front of my eyes is that of Lata Mangeshkar’s.

I have known Latadidi for more than 25 years now. Out of the 10 film songs that I have composed for films, I think at least nine have been sung by Lata Mangeshkar. I really consider myself lucky because of this reason.

I call Lata Mangeshkar 'Saraswatididi' because she truly is the goddess of music.

In the past, whenever I wanted to do any song with her, she encouraged me. She always has some suggestion or the other to improve a song, to make it more beautiful.

And I must say that her ideas are brilliant. She really knows how to enhance a song. The dedication, the commitment that she has towards her work is simply remarkable. Taking Lata Mangeshkar's voice out of the songs that she has sung is like having food without salt.

Of course, there are so many other people involved in each song -- composers, directors, producers, writers. But a singer's contribution is something else.

And Lata Mangeshkar is one singer who gives 200 per cent to her songs.

Her style, her expressions, the emotions that go into every song of hers...I really have no words to describe it. She does complete justice to every song she sings.

Today, one sees so many new singers being compared to Latadidi. But I think it is foolish to do so. She is in an altogether different league. Nobody can become Lata Mangeshkar.

She gives much more to a song than one expects from her. When she sings, you never feel that the song could have been better than this. She is a complete singer. You really don't find that kind of a singer these days.

Nobody could take the place of singers like Mukeshji, Mohammed Rafi or Kishore Kumar. They are legends whose memories are forever engraved on our minds. Their absence will always be felt. Didi too, falls in the same category.

At this moment, the only thing I can say is that I hope to hear Lata Mangeshkar's voice till the time I am alive.

As told to Kanchana Suggu