Lata Mangeshkar took over India and later the Asian households by storm with her beautiful voice in the 40s. The music sensation has impressed generations with her melodious voice and it’s a pity that she is no more. However, the songs of the esteemed singer will forever remain in our hearts and memories and we will continue to pass them on to our next generations.
The singer has sung more than 25,000 songs in several languages in her long career. On the unfortunate demise of a legendary singer and India’s Nighingale, it is only apt if we revisit her some of her finest works and pay tribute to her golden era.
1. Lara Lappa Lara Lappa — Ek Thi Ladki
The Punjabi duet is the most famous part of Ek Thi Ladki about a girl (Meena Shorey) running away from a blackmailer and working as a secretary. It is one of those classics that not many people know is sung by Mohammed Rafi, Lata Mangeshkar and G. M. Durrani. This song is penned down by Aziz Kashmiri and composed by Vinod.
2. Ajeeb Dastan Yeh — Dil Apna Aur Preet Parai
Meena Kumari’s lip-synching matched Mangeskhar’s voice perfectly in this love triangle directed by Kishore Sahu with music from Shankar-Jaikishen.
3. Aaja Piya Tohe Pyar Du — Baharon Ke Sapne
Lata Mangeshkar won the country over with this song from the film Baharon Ke Sapne. RD Burman composed the music while Majrooh Sultanpuri penned the lyrics for this number.
4. Inhi Logon Ne — Pakeezah
A rare dancing girl tune as Mangeshkar was pretty strict about lending her voice to anything that smelled unsavory. The story itself was pretty chaste, a young girl (Meena Kumar) raised in a brothel who falls in love and wants to marry, which goes against society’s expectations.
5. Bahon Mein Chale Aao — Anamika
Jaya Bhaduri attempts to seduce Sanjeev Kumar with this come hither (literally, the words mean come into my arms) tune from Rahul Dev Burman.
6. Tere Bina Zindagi Mein Koi — Aandhi
Suchitra Sen stars as a politician who reconnects with her ex-husband during a trip in a story that had many allusions to then-prime minister Indira Gandhi (although she was a widow by the time she ascended to power).
7. Tune O Rangeele — Kudrat
Lata Mangeshkar once again teamed up with music director RD Burman to give us this number that captures the essence of young love.
8. Yeh Sama, Sama Hai Ye Pyar Ka — Jab Jab Phool Khile
Lata Mangeshkar’s mellifluous voice is the perfect match for this unforgettable tune from Jab Jab Phool Khile.
9. Aa Jane Jaa — Intaquam
We can’t thank Lata Mangeshkar enough for this dreamy melody from the film Intaquam.
10. Lag Ja Gale — Woh Kaun Thi
Lag Ja Gale is one of the most popular love songs and for good reason. Despite several modern-day renditions and covers by artists, her original rendition from the film Woh Kaun Thi remains unparalleled.
11. Yeh Galiyan Yeh Chaubara — Prem Rog
Lata Mangeshkar won hearts with this classic composed by the duo Laxmikant-Pyarelal for the film Prem Rog.
12. Aap Ki Nazro Ne Samjha — Anpadh
With actors Mala Sinha, Balraj Sahni and Dharmendra and singer Lata Mangeshkar, this song from Anpadh is a classic.
More Recent Ones
13. Jiya Jale — Dil Se
Helmer Mani Ratnam gave Oscar winner his big break and for the director’s Dil Se, he used Mangeshkar’s voice for this number picturized on Shah Rukh Khan and Preity Zinta.
14. Khamoshiyan Gungunane Lagi — One 2 Ka 4
Featuring Shah Rukh Khan, Juhi Chawla and Jackie Shroff in the lead roles, this film’s song Khamoshiyan Gungunane Lagi is sung by Lata Mangeshkar and Sonu Nigam.
15. Lukka Chuppi — Rang De Basanti
Lukka Chuppi from Rang De Basanti, an emotional ride into the life of a mother, enacted by Waheeda Rehman, who lost her son, enacted by R. Madhavan, while he was serving India, his country. The music is directed by music maestro A.R. Rahman.
And the list goes on from songs of Zubeida, Mohabbatein, Lagaan, Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham, Mujhse Dosti Karoge, Veer-Zaara amongst others.
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