Our first interaction was when we had to collaborate for a song. I don’t recall which track it was. I had gone for the rehearsals, and he told me that he had been wanting to work with me for several days. My sister, Usha Mangeshkar, who had been working with him since long, often praised him—for his skill and kindness. He was a simple man, with simple means. Despite being famous, he lived like a common man. He never thought twice before saying what he wished to. I remember him as a jovial man, who loved to play the harmonium and mimic people. I enjoyed his mimicry.

I asked him why he kept his name Raam Laxman. He said that initially, there were two of them [referring to his partner, Surendra]. He was Laxman, and his partner was Raam. When his partner passed away [in 1976], he decided to retain the name, like composers Shankar Jaikishan did.