Lataji is Bharat Ratna indeed!. Review on Twenty Best Songs of Lata Mangeshkar

Those who speak Hindi and regularly listen to old Hindi songs would know Lataji's songs very well anyway, but I hope this review will help those who do not regularly listen to Hindi songs and who are keen to learn a few old songs of Lataji. I am mainly going to include her solo songs from the 50s and 60s(I shall discuss her duets in a separate post). The songs are in no particular order, and are purely based on my own taste.

1. Aap Ki Nazaron from Anpadh- This is among the several songs that I'd prefer to listen to if I have had a stressful day, especially late in the evening when surroundings are queit. You do the same, and you will know what I mean(video should be available on youtube). I read somewhere that Naushad remarked to the composer Madan Mohan that he would give away all his songs in exchange for this one song!

   
   




2. Tu Jahaan from Mera Saaya- Another bedtime song. Lataji at her best! What more can I say? Probably one of the best songs to have ever been composed in Hindi(I also love Naino Mein Badrachaye from the same movie).

   
   




3. Suno Sajna from Aaye Din Bahar Ke- Beautiful melody from Lakshmikanth Pyarelal!

   
   




4. Na Jiya Laage Na from Anand- there is a similar song by SPB from the tamil movie Azhiyaatha Kolangal(Naan ennum pozhuthu). Both were composed by Salil Chaudhry.

   
   




5. Mein Tulsi Teri Aangan ki from movie of the same name- Some may be surprised by my inclusion of this song among the top 20, but I personally love the way Lataji has sung this song.

   
   




6. Dheere Dheere Machal from Anupama- A song that takes you out of this world!

   
   




7. Aaja Re Pardesi from Madhumathi- Another bedtime song. Lataji got her first filmfare award for this song. Nectar just flows in her voice. For many years, I thought this was a S D Burman song, and didn't realise that the composer was actually Salil Chaudhry.

   
   




8. Phaili Hui Hai from House no 44. Here is one from my favourite S D Burman! Absolutely beautiful singing.

   
   




9. Sapne Mein Sajan from Gateway of India- You don't have to know Hindi to appreciate this beautiful song. One of my all time favourites.

   
   




10. Yun Hasraton ki Daag from Adalat- Another absolute beauty. What a voice!(I also love Unko Yeh Shikayat from the same movie). There is not a single song like this these days.

    
    

11, Aap Kyon Roye from Woh Kaun Thi- One of the best sad songs(there are two other beautiful songs from the same movie- Naina Barse and Jiya Lage Na Mora)

1. Mujhe Tum Mil Gaye from Love in Tokyo- Wonderful composition and wonderful singing!

   
   




2. Ek Diya jala Ke Gaya from Akashdeep- Listen to this song, and you will know why she is called the queen of melody. So softly rendered.

   
   




3. Mohabbat Aisi Dhadkan from Anarkali- Another beautiful sad song(another song that I love from the same movie is Yeh Zindagi Usi Khai)

   
   




4. Thandi Hawayen from Nau Jawan- Another beauty from SDB- Lataji combination. I am a big fan of Alka Yagnik and Shreya Ghoshal, but have to say that those golden times when they composed such absolute beauties are behind us.

   
   




5. O Sajna Barkha Bahar from Parakh- Melody at its best!

   
   




6. Sathyam Sivam Sundaram from movie of the same name- there are no adjectives to describe this song!

   
   




7. Tera Mera Pyar Amar from Asli Naqli- Another sad song beautifully rendered by Lataji.

   
   




8. Kisliye Mein Pyar Kiya from The train- Very good song. Again beautifully sung.

   
   




9. Teri Aankhon ke Siva from Chiraag- Rafi Saab's version is of course very popular, but I like Lataji's version too.

   
   

There are not many songs of Lataji that I like from the 80s and 90s when Alka Yagnik started to rule, but I have to mention Tera Bina from Ghar, Nindiya Se from Hero and Maye Ni Maye from Hum Aapke Hain Kaun. Lataji truly deserves her Bharat Ratna!