The eternal voice. Review on Twenty Best Songs of Lata Mangeshkar

The following songs are my personal favourites . I have deliberately increased the number from 20 to 25 as these twenty five songs effectively bring out the various facets of Lataji’s voice.

1. Ayega Anewala(Film:- Mahal, Music:- Khemchand Prakash, Actress:- Madhubala)

This is the song which put Lata right at the top along with Noorjehan. She sounds very different in this song, and the typical lata sweetness is missing, nevertheless it is the pioneer of ‘haunting melodies’ in films most of which were sung by Lataji.

1. Chand phir nikla(Film:- Paying Guest, Music:- S.D. Burman, Actress:- Nutan)

This song came at the time when Lata was in her best phase. It’s a wonderful song which brings out the pain of lost love beautifully. Simple arrangements and a high pitched voice by Lata are the highlights of this song.

1. Zulmi sang aankh ladi(Film:- Madhumati, Music:- Salil Chowdhury, actress:- Vyjayanthimala)

One of the most lively and vibrant songs sung by Lata. It is a folksy number which is thoroughly enjoyable. Salil Chowdhury never missed in bringing out the best in Lata.

1. Mujhe tum mil gaye humdum(Film:- Love in Tokyo, Music:- Shankar Jaikishen, actress:- Asha Parekh)

Asha Parekh has lip-synced some of the best songs of Lata Mangeshkar, and this song is no exception. It is a soothing number and an ideal one to listen in an isolated room with only a dim light on.

1. Title song(Film:- Mera Saaya, Music:- Madan Mohan, actress:-  Sadhna)

Tu jahan jahan chalega, mera saaya saath hoga( No matter wherever you go, my shadow will always follow you.). I don’t remember the lyricist of the film but kudos to him for bringing out the essence of the title so aptly. As I have already mentioned, Lata is the best for singing haunting melodies, and this particular one is the best among them.

1. Maaye Ri(Film:- Dastak, Music:- Madan Mohan, Actress:- Rehana Sultan)

This is the mother of all tragic songs! If you don’t feel emotional after listening to this one, there is definitely something wrong with you! Exquisite vocals and excellent https://lyrics. The mutual respect the singer and the composer had for each other is reflcted in this song.

1. O Sajna(Film:- Parakh, Music:- Salil Chowdhury, Actress:- Sadhna)

This song is a personal favourite of Lataji too. This song is one of the best rain songs composed in the history of hindi films and arguably the best tune composed by Salil Chowdhury in Hindi.

1. Ajeeb dastaan hai yeh(Film:- Dil Apna aur Preet Parayi, Music:- S.J.,

Actress:- Meena Kumari)

When the queen of melody sang for the queen of tragedy, the result was sheer magic. Great musical arrangement and of course mild, soothing vocals by Lata.

9.Kya Janoon Sajan(Film:- Baharon ke Sapne, Music:- R.D. Burman, Actress:- Asha Parekh)

The first use of ‘twin vocals’ in Hindi film music and Panchamda thought of using his Lata Didi’s voice. This number haunts the listener and makes him/her fall in love with the song and the singer. An absolute gem.

1. Chalo Sajna(Film:- Mere Humdum Mere Dost, Music:- Laxmikant Pyarelal, Actress:- Sharmila Tagore)

Lata has sung the maximum no. of songs for this music director duo. Lata’s vocals enhanced the beauty of Sharmila Tagore on screen and it enhanced the expectations of the listeners off-screen!

1. Tumhe pyaar karte karte(Film:- Amrapali, Music:- Shanker Jaikishen, Actress:- Vyjayanthimala)

It is a soft, sensual number which will melt even the heart of a ruthless criminal. Such is the power of Lataji’s voice. She is just superb in this number.

1. Na koi umang hai(Film:- Kati Patang, Music:- R.D. Burman, Actress:- Asha Parekh)

Again, a title song sung with lots of pathos and emotions by Lata. It pulls the strings of your heart, and makes you empathize with the precarious situation the actress is in .

1. Aap mujhe achche lagne lage(Film:- Jeene ki Raah, Music:- Laxmikant Pyarelal, Actress:- Tanuja)

One of the sweetest numbers ever sung by Lata. No wonder she got her last Filmfare award for this one after which she made avenues for younger singers and steered clear of award nominations.

1. O ghata saanwri(Film:- Abhinetri, Music:- Laxmikant Pyarelal, Actress:- Hema Malini)

Lata’s vocals matched perfectly with the eternal dream girl, and this song is a perfect example of this. This song is sensual but not at all vulgar and it shows the bubbly and playful quality of Lata’s voice.

1. Abhi Abhi thi(Film:- Zakhmee, Music:- Bappi Lahiri, Actress:- Reena Roy)

Another playful, naughty rendition by Lata. Bappi da in his early days was a melodious composer and used to work with Lata a lot. I especially like the chali reee echo.

1. Bahon mein chale aao(Film:- Anamika, Music:- R.D. Burman, Actress:- Jaya Bhaduri)

I have absolutely no words to describe the song in detail. The recording, the voice modulations by lataji and of course excellent tune by panchamda make this song a winner in every aspect.

1. Tumse Milke(Film:- Chor Police, Music:- R.D. Burman, Actress:- Parveen Babi)

I happened to listen to this rare gem for the first time on vividh bharati and fell in love with it. It’s a sweet, innocent song with excellent lyrics by Nida Fazli.

1. Na jane kyon(Film:- Chhoti Si Baat, Music:- Salil Chowdhury, Actress:- Vidya Sinha)

This song talks about the little things of your loved ones which you always remember when they are away from us. The western classical influence enhances the overall effect of the song.

1. Waada Na Tod(Film:- Dil Tujhko Diya, Music:- Rajesh Roshan, Actress:- Rati Agnihotri)

I really like this song and I don’t know why. Perhaps the honesty with which Lataji sings this number makes me attracted to it. Really foot tapping!

1. Solah Baras Ki(Film:- Ek Duje Ke Liye, Music:- Laxmikant Pyarelal, Actress:- Rati Agnihotri)

It is an excellent number and again has been sung with lots of emotion and also a rebellious streak by Lataji. Rati Agnihotri is looking really pretty in this song.

1. Aisa Sama Na Hota(Film: - Zameen Aasman, Music:- R.D. Burman, Actress:- Anita Raaj)

I have also mentioned this song in the 20 songs of R.D. Burman. In the 80’s Lata’s voice was not in the best of form but still she manages to carry it off with elan. The lyrics by Anjaan goes hand in hand with the excellent tune.

1. Nindiya se jagi(Film:- Hero, Music:- Laxmikant Pyarelal, Actress:- Meenakshi Sheshadri)

I can bet even if you are listening to this song in a house surrounded by filth it will enhance the beauty of that place, such is the magic of this song. ‘Magical’ is the only word to describe this song.

1. Paani Paani re(Film:- Maachis, Music:- Vishal Bhardwaj, Actress:- Tabu)

One of the best songs sung by lataji in the past ten years. She has always given a new lease of life to Gulzaar’s lyrics and this one is no exception.

1. Jane dil mein(Film:- Mujhse Dosti Karoge, Music:- Rahul Sharma, Actress:- Rani Mukherjee)

I know many people do not like Lataji’s songs sung in recent times but I would request them to listen to this romantic number. It is amazing to notice how she, at the age of 75 puts so much of romance in a song sung for a girl of her grand daughter’s age.

1. Ajkal paon(Film:- Ghar, Music:- R.D. Burman, Actress:- Rekha)

My last choice, this one is an all time favourite. No dil, pyar mohabbat stuff but still the ‘nasha’ of romance is brought out beautifully. Aajkal paon zameen par nahi parte mere, bolo dekha hai kabhi tumne mujhe udte huye?