Lata Mangeshkar-The Queen of Melody

English: Indian singer Lata Mangeshkar as a young woman (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

On 28 September, Lata Mangeshkar, one of the legendary singers of India celebrates her 84^th   birthday. She happens to be one of the renown and most esteemed lady playback singers and one of my favorite singers of Indian cinema. She started her singing career in 1942 and has spanned over seven decades, which is an accomplishment in itself. She has been felicitated with the Bharat Ratna, India’s highest civilian honor. She was later awarded Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award in 1993. She has sung songs for more than thousand Hindi films and also has sung songs in over thirty-six regional Indian languages. She has  also composed music for Marathi movies under the nom de plume of Anand Ghan.

Here I share with you some of my favorite songs sung by her; although the list is so vast I have to settle on just ten of her songs which I love the most.

Aayega Aanewala – Mahal (1949)-It was one of her first major hits. The music was given by music director Khemchand Prakash. The film was a suspense thriller and starred Madhubala and Ashok Kumar. Lata’s voice adds an aura of mystery to the film and also is quite melodious.

Aap Ki Nazron Ne Samjha- Anpadh (1962)- Lata sung this song under the music director  and maestro MadanMohan; who she regarded as  her brother .The song is regarded as one of  classic of songs sung by her. In this song,Mala Sinha is expressing her joy and love for Dharmendra .

Tera Mera Pyar Amar- Asli-Naqli(1962)- This song is picturised on one of the most graceful actresses ,Sadhana. The music is given by Shanker-Jaikishan.In this song Renu(Sadhana) is proud of her love Anand(played by Dev Anand) but is also worried about its future.The song is melodious as well as soothing to hear.

O Sajana Barkha Bahaar Aai- Parakh (1960)- Parakh is a Bimal Roy classic.The song is superbly rendered by Lata under Salilda’s competent music direction and is picturised  on  Sadhana who lip-synced it flawlessly. The song is enthralling and soothing to the ear.The song has a timeless appeal.

Agar Mujhse Mohabbat Hai- Aap Ki Parchhaiyan (1964)-It is one of the classic jewels of collaboration of  Lata- MadanMohan duo. In this song, the actress Supriya is requesting her love played by Dharmendra  to  share all his all worries and suffering with her. The song is gracefully sung by Lata and the sympathetic tone of the lover is evident and leaves one misty-eyed.

Jara Thehar Tujhe Samjhaoon- Pooja Ke Phool (1964)-Another golden example of Lata- MadanMohan duo; this song emphasizes  sharing other’s  sorrow as an important aspect of humanity. The song is  picturised on Mala Sinha, who teaches  her former lover  played by Dharmendra  to realize the duties and  responsibilities of his life. The song is inspiring and motivational.

Naino Mein Badra Chhaye – Mera Saaya (1966)- Yet anoher Lata- MadanMohan classic; it is an example of perfect voice modulation and shows the range of the singer.This  beautiful  and ethereal song is  picturised on Sadhana who gives it a surreal effect .It gives the listener  goose-flesh, and has a long lasting effect on him/her.The superb lyrics are by Raja Mehendi  Ali Khan.

Chalo Sajana Jahan Tak- Mere Hamdam Mere Dost (1968)-It is one of the romantic songs  picturised on Sharmila Tagore and sung by Lata. The song is mellifluous and gives the listener the ethereal effect of romance floating in the air.The music is by Laxmikant Pyarelal.

Bindiya Chamkegi- Do Raaste (1969)-This is song full of mischief and playfulness  picturised on Mumtaz; who looks dazzling and fabulous in orange and is distracting her lover played by Rajesh Khanna, who has a tough time concentrating on reading a book. Lata’s voice is in accordance with the playfulness and tempo of the song.

Kaise Rahun Chup-Inteqam (1969)- This is one of the songs in which Lataji shows her  resourcefulness as a great playback singer. The song is picturised on Sadhana who is supposedly inebriated and lost the control over herself; which is not the case. Instead, she is trying to humiliate her father-in- law to settle an old score. The song is sung by Lataji in a mood appropriate for the song. And of course Sadhana carries it out masterfully.

I conclude my post by wishing her many happy returns of the day and good health.

BTW, which are your favorite songs sung by Lataji?

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