'I do plan to sing again very soon'

'There is so much division in the country. People are getting more and more into 'Main Hindu hoon woh Mussalmaan hai'.' 'This climate of suspicion and hostility must stop,' The Legend, 92 today, tells Subhash K Jha in an exclusive interview.

- Subhash K Jha

Another year, another birthday, Didi, how do you feel?

Main aapko sach bataoon? Main andar se dukhi hoon. There is so much division in the country. People are getting more and more into 'Main Hindu hoon woh Mussalmaan hai'. This climate of suspicion and hostility must stop. I had hoped and prayed that this kind of divisive atmosphere would have long ago ended. But I am sorry to say it's getting worse. People are killing one another in the name of religion.

The one factor that unifies all Indians is your voice.

That is music to my ears. Believe me, when you say this I feel very humbled. At the risk of sounding immodest...

You and immodest? Impossible!

(Laughs.) Nahin mujhe bolne dijiye. I feel I've received more love and respect than anyone else in this country. Indians everywhere love me. They react with strong affection at the very mention of my name. And this has been the scenario for more than 75 years of my life.

It is because you have given us so much joy with your songs. More so now in these dark desperate times of corona.