Lata and Asha both have a strong classical base.. and it is also said that had they not entered film music or had Master Dinnanath lived longer, they would have certainly become classical singers.
And why not? The range they show even in their classical songs is tremendous !So talking of classical songs, the mere thought of having both of them singing in tandem in a pure classical format is something that even God's up there in heaven will wait and listen to and this is exactly what happens in this song.
Its more of a duet (though technically a triet) as Mannada (as the Tansen) just starts the song and Lata-Asha (as Tana-Riri) take the song forward and sing the bulk of the song (rather nearly the entire song). But what is exasperating is the fact that both of them are in full form... with singing reaching the highest pinnacle of musical brilliance.
The taan's at the end are unbelievable.. you have to necessarily pinch yourself to believe what you hear.. Asha starts, Lata takes over, Asha proceeds, Lata picks it up and goes to the taar saptak, the tempo increases, Asha continues to swirl in the taar saptak and then just as the clouds burst, both of them literally burst in the 'aati-taar' saptak showering us with rain of magical genius... mesmerizing music.. nerve-numbing dexterity.
This Megh Malhar from Sangeet Samrat Tansen (1962) composed by S.N.Tripathi is the ultimate edifice of startling, staggering, scintillating rendition. Hats off to these two musical magnum opuses!