I never thought on writing a review on this topic. In fact I must admit, I am not worth it. I mean how can one do justice to greats like Shanker-Jaikishan, Madan Mohan, S. D. Burman, Salil Choudhary, Kalyanji-Anand ji and many more legends who have given their everything so that we get to listen some good music.
With only ten songs in my kitty(Of course I can write about 15-20 songs as many people do, but a rule is a rule and I believe it is meant to be followed), and nearly 70 years of music behind me, even I pick up one song from each year, I will end up choosing 70 and still a lot of injustice will be present in the air around me.
So here I start my be-insaafi:
1. Aaja Panchhi Akela Hai
Mohd. Rafi and Asha Bhosle
Movie: Nau Do Gyarah
Year - 1957
Music – S. D. Burman
Lyrics – Majrooh Sultanpuri
This song tops my list of ten. Many of you might have started feeling the injustice straightaway. Anyways as I have started, I will continue.
This song is my favorite because of the beautiful “fight” in the song which is extremely well sung by both the singers. When Rafi sahib sings “Aaja Panchhi akela hai”, the reply of Asha ji is “So ja nindiya ki bela hai”. The music has a bit of Bengali touch. The lyrics are not extra-ordinary but yes the song is.
Ud gayi neend yahan mere nain se
Bas karo yunhi pade raho chain se
Laage re darr mohe laage re
O ye kya darane kii bela hai
O aajaa panchhi akela hai .
2. Mujhko Apne Gale Laga Lo
Mohd. Rafi and Mubaarak Begum
Movie: Humrahi
Year - 1963
Music – Shankar-Jaikishan
Lyrics – Hasrat Jaipuri
A song describing the immense love of a person towards his/her beloved. This song had to be in the list because of the totality in the song. The song has excellent music, lyrics, instrumentation, rhythm and above all, soulful singing by both the singers. Especially listen to Mubarak Begum’s voice in
jab tum mujhse door rehte ho jiya mera ghabaraata hai
neend aankhon se udd jaati hai chaand gagan barsaata hai
donon pehloo jal jaate hai aag mein aag lagaata hai
jaise tadpe bin jal machhli pyaar mujhe tadpaata hai
pyaar mujhe tadpaata hai
iss uljhan se mujhko bachaalo aye mere humraahi
tumko kya batlaau main ke tumse kitna pyaar hai
3. Abhi na jao chhod kar
Mohd. Rafi and Asha Bhosle
Movie: Hum Dono
Year - 1961
Music – Jaidev
Lyrics – Sahir Ludhiyanavi
A song describing the request of a lover towards his beloved who is about to go. The song has excellent melody. The vocals of Ashaji and Mohd. Rafi are at their best. The music of Jaidev ji was excellent in this movie especially for songs like this one and Main zindagi ka saath. The composition is not so easy to sing but Rafi sahib and Ashaji made it look so simple. I can still see people trying to see this song in music competitions unsuccessfully.
4. Do dil dhadak rahe hain
Talat Mehmood and Lata Mangeshkar
Movie: Insaaf
Year - 1956
Music – Chitragupta
Lyrics – Asad Bhopali
Now who can say that Talat Mehmood did not have a soft and deep voice. I rate his voice as second most sincere one after Mukesh ji. This song has some lyrics which talk about the happiest feelings of being together. The vocals are powerful and so is the soft music accompanying it.
5. Tujhe Jeevan Ki Dor Se
Mohd. Rafi and Lata Mangeshkar
Movie: Asli Naqli
Year - 1962
Music – Shankar Jaikishan
Lyrics – Hasrat Jaipuri
For those who feel I have chosen a wrong song for my list, I can only say, I am on the heights of doing injustice to many a great songs. I like this song all because of its vocals. Now what would you call as a perfect duet. It is not the song in which two voices are supplementary, but the song in which the voices are complimentary. The soft and silky voice of Lataji when mixed with the greatest voice ever, the result is this song.
6. Main Sitaaron Ka Taraana
Asha Bhosle and Kishore Kumar
Movie: Chalti ka Naam Gaadi
Year - 1958
Music – S. D. Burman
Lyrics – Majrooh Sultanpuri
Again the concept of complementary comes into picture. This song has a unique thing which a person with some musical background can very easily understand. The tonal quality of both the voices is same. Both the singers have sung their heart out and the result is an excellent chhed-chhad song.
7. Aasmaan Ke Neeche
Lata Mangeshkar and Kishore Kumar
Movie: Jewel Thief
Year - 1967
Music – S. D. Burman
Lyrics – Majrooh Sultanpuri
The best duet of Kishore Kumar and Lata Mangeshkar. This song had some very good music and very good https://lyrics. The best part being the energy imparted to this song by the singing of Kishore Kumar. Remember the movie, he sings this song for Vaijayanti Mala and she replies back in style. A great song.
8. Tumse Milke Aisa Laga
Suresh Wadekar and Asha Bhosle
Movie: Parinda
Year - 1989
Music – R. D. Burman
Lyrics – Khursheed Hallauri
A copied song, directly copied from the all time hit “When I need you” has featured in my list solely because this list talks about the great Duet songs and not great compositions. The composition might be copied but the romance which it spreads around you is definitely original. The silky voice of Suresh Wadekar mixed with the golden voice of Lata Mangeshkar does the trick.
9. Ae Mere Humsafar
Udit Narayan and Alka Yagnik
Movie: Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak
Year - 1988
Music – Anand-Milind
Lyrics – Majrooh Sultanpuri
If had not included this song in my list, I would not have slept with ease tonight. The song which brought a new era to love in Indian movies. The fresh and energetic singing by Udit and Alka provides the back bone to the song. The song is such that you listen to it and romance begins. Now that is what I call a great duet.
10. Waada Raha Sanam
Abhijeet and Alka Yagnik
Movie: Khiladi
Year - 1992
Music – Jatin-Lalit
Lyrics – Anwar Sagar
The song which opened the doors of hit bollywood movies for Jatin-Lalit. All the songs which I have mentioned earlier are chhed-chhad, romancing, fast numbers. This number talks about the bad times of a person. These are the times when you need your beloved the most. And this song shows that he is there for you. A song which has the capability of bringing tears in your eyes if you have the feelings.
I know that I have done injustice to many a great duet songs. Some of the which come straightaway to my mind are Dekha Ek Khwaab - Silsila, Gata Rahe Mera Dil - Guide, Baahon ke dariyaan - Khamoshi, Pehla Nasha - Jo Jeta Wohi Sikandar.
If you feel that I have not included some of your favourite songs, do point me out.
I know I cannot make an absolute list and thus have included the same drawback in Cons.
Good or Bad - Comments Welcome.