Of the myriads of'Lata-classics', it's really difficult to pick a few. Even so, I give my friends a playlist where each song has a story to be told, and praise due from my end. Also, I've tried to limit myself to only solos, as duets would need a fresh review. Although it is meant to be chronological, the ranking fades once we delve into the beauty of each melody. Long live Lata Ji!
O sajna barkha bahaar Aayi(Parakh-1960)- Salil Chowdhury was a master in weaving intricate melodies, and this song is at the epitome of all his works. Majestic!
Aapki nazron ne samjha pyar ke kabil mujhe(Anpadh-1962)- It’s a known fact that Naushad Saab offered to relinquish all his compositions in awe of this exceptional Madan Mohan ghazal. Lata Ji surpassed all levels of supremacy in her rendition of it as well.
Kuch dil ne kaha, kuch bhi nahi(Anupama-1966)- Hemant Kumar composed this classic with such an undertone of melody, that it begs for appreciation on every hearing.
Ajeeb daastan hai yeh(Dil Apna Aur Preet Parai-1960)- No words would be enough to praise this marvel. Innocence of a voice matched perfectly with the perfection of lyrics and mastery of composition by the Shankar Jaikishan duo.
Rahen na rahen hum(Mamta-1966)- Roshan’s best composition was sung with such subtlety by Lata Ji that this song still remains an anthem for many a music-lover.
Ghar aaja, ghir aayi, badra saaawariya(Chhote Nawab-1973)– This was reportedly R.D. Burman’s first movie as Music Director, and it proved his mettle. Lata Ji sung this semi-classical number with such poise that it’s both soothing and amusing.
Aayega aanewala(Mahal-1949)- With aid from Khemchand Prakash’s excellent orchestration and musical excellence, Lata Ji delivered in this song, her first true work of genius.
Mera saaya saath hoga(Mera Saaya-1966)- Madan Mohan combined with Lata Mangeshkar was an attestation of brilliance, and truly her "saaya" would always be with us. Hence, this!
Ja re, ja re ud jaa re panchi(Maya-1961)- It’s a pity that Salil Chowdhury didn't compose as much with the big banners as others, because his understanding of tunes is unmatched. This song takes me into secret raptures whenever I lend an ear to it.
Raaton ke saaye ghane(Annadata-1972)- Another philosophical gem from the Lata-Salil duo. Every verse in this number is inspiring, every tune is mesmerising.
Baiyyan na dharo balma(Dastak-1970)- This was one of Madan Mohan’s toughest compositions and earned a National Award as well, and rightfully so.
Kahin deep jale kahin dil(Bees Saal Baad-1962)- Hemant Kumar was easily the best at composing haunting, spine tickling numbers. Every time I hear this song, Lata Ji’s vibrato gets me awestruck.
Jurm-e-ulfat pe humein log saza dete hai(Taj Mahal-1963)- It was a nice Roshan composition sung beautifully by Lata Ji, but what stole the show was the excellent penning by Sahir Ludhianvi. The song spoke of the pride and dignity in love better than any other.
Zara si aahat hoti hai(Haqeeqat-1964)- This is one of my favourite songs from one of my favourite movies. Every word in this song, is so true of the emotions running through the heart of a yearning lover, that it’s almost a doctrine. Madan Mohan and Lata Ji again interlaced magic!
Rajnigandha phool tumhare(Rajnigandha-1974)- I have always been in awe of Salil Chowdhury, and the perfection of this soothing number vouches for the same. Oh! What a sweet voice Lata Ji had!
Kaise bhaye sakhi, rut saawan ki(Pehli Jhalak-1955)- This is Lata Ji’s best classical rendition and is beautifully weaved by C. Ramachandra in his trademark husky backdrop of tunes and usage of variegated instruments.
Aye pyar teri duniya se hum itni nishaani leke chale(Jhanjhar-1953)– Rajendra Krishan’s lyrics of pathos in this song were so enthralling that sometimes it overshadowed the magnificence of Lata Ji’s awesome singing and C. Ramachandra’s fine music.
Allah tero naam(Chhaya-1961)- Hands down, this composition by Jaidev is the best devotional song of Bollywood.
Woh chup rahen toh mere dil ke daag jalte hai(Jahan Ara-1964)- Every song in this movie was a masterpiece reflecting Madan Mohan’s class in his early days. This one, however, ruled the roost. Lata ji sang this ghazal with such heartfelt imbibed emotions that it almost calls for tears.
Ruke ruke se kadam ruk ke baar baar chale(Mausam-1975)- This song had a pretty tricky tune by Madan Mohan matched with convoluted lyrics, but Lata Ji charmed her way past that with finesse and flair.
I started with naming 20 songs; then moved on to 50 and so on- I could go on for eternity and yet Lata Ji’s greatness would be short of measurement. Yet, here go my chosen few:
Tere bachpan ko jawani ki dua deti hoon
Lag ja gale
Naina barse rimjhim rimjhim
Uthaye ja unke sitam
Mora gora ang laile
Rasm-e-ulfat ko nibhaye toh nibhaye kaise
Jo tum todo piya main nahi todu re
Woh bhooli dastaan, lo phir yaad aa gayi
Bada natkhat hai re, kishan kanhaiyya
Garjat barsat bheejat aayi lo
Hum pyar mein jalne walon ko chain kahan
Haaye re woh din kyu na aaye
Yun hastraton ke daag mohabbat mein dho liye
Bekas pe karam kijiye sarkar-e-madina
Bedard tere dard ko seene se lagakar
Aaja re pardesi
Najaane kyu, hota hai yeh zindagi ke saath
Jyoti kalash chhalke
Jab pyar kiya toh darna kya
Jaago mohan pyaare
Humne dekhi hai un aankhon ki mehekti khushboo
Aye mere watan ke logo
Kya jaanoon sajan hoti hai kya
Apne aap raton mein
Aaja ab toh aaja, mere kismat ke khariidaar
Rehte the jinke dil mein
O beqaraar dil
Rulake gaya sapna mera/ Tune haay mere zakhm-e-jigar ko choo liya
Jhoom jhoom dhalti raat
Aye maalik tere bande hum
Maine kab tumse kaha tha ke mujhe pyaar karo
Piya bina, piya bina basiya
Aa jane jaan, aa ke mera yeh husn jawan
Tum na jaane kis jahaan mein kho gaye
Aye mere dil-e-naadan, tu gham se na ghabrana
Lo aa gayi unki yaad, wo nahi aaye
Phaili hui hai sapno ke baahein
Gudiya humse roothi rahogi
Dil hum hum kare
Yeh sham ki tanhaiyya aise mein tera gham
Dil ka diya jala ke gaya, yeh kaun meri tanhai mein
Aaj kal paon zameen par nahi parte mere
O basanti pawan paagal
Tere bina jiya jaaye na
Yaara sili sili
Yeh kahaan aa gaye hum
Is duniya mein jeena hai toh, maan lo meri baat
Ab mera kaun sahaara
Na, jiya laage na
Tujhse naraaz nahi zindagi
Dil ne phir yaad kiya, bewafa laut bhi aa
Marna teri gali mein
Dheere dheere machal aye dil-e-beqaraar
Jaane kya baat hai/ Thare rahiyo
Bahon mein chale aao/ Mohe bhool gaye saawariya
Yeh dil aur unki nigahon ke saaye
Dil se bhula do tum humein
Ae ri, jaane na doongi
Bedardi balma tujhko
Mujhe tum milgaye humdum
Chalte chale yuhin koi mil gaya
Mohe panghat pe nandlal chhed gayo re
Satyam shivam sundaram
Mose chal kiye jaye
Ghungroo kya bole
Aye dil-e-naadan
Ae ri pawan
Aye mohabbat meri duniya mein tera kaam na tha
Megha chhaye aadhi raat
Kaise din beete, kaise beete ratiya
Sapne mein saajan se do baatein
Neend kabhi rehti thi aankhon mein, ab rehte hai saawariya
Rasik Balma
Nigahon mein tum ho, khayalon mein tum ho
Saajan ki galyian chhod chale
Hai isi mein pyar ki aabroo
Aa jao tarapte hai armaan, ab raat guzarnewaali hai
Unko yeh shikayat hai ke hum kuch nahi kehte
Aurat ne janam diya mardo ko
Mohabbat ki jhooti kahaani pe roye
Main toh chhod chali babul ka des
Aaja piya tohe pyar doon
Jaane kyu log mohabbat kiya karte hai
Panchi banu udti phiru
Piya milan ko jaana
Suniyo ji araj maari
Kisi ne apna banake mujhko muskurana sikha diya
Chhod de saari duniya kisi ke liye
Bhor bhaye panghat pe
Jhooti muthi mitwa aawan bole
Nagari nagari dware dware
Na koi umang hai, na koi tarang hai
Roz sham aati thi
Gairon pe karam, apno pe sitam
Aa ja aayi bahaar
Sajna hai mujhe, sajna ke liye
Tum hi meri mandir
Pawan diwaani
Hai tere sath meri wafa
Yeh raatein nayi puraani
Woh din kahaan gaye bata
Pal bhar mein yeh kya ho jaye
Aansoo bhari hai, yeh jeevan ki raahe
Raina beeti jaaye
Sapne suhaane ladakpan ke
Hawa mein udta jaye mera laal dupatta malmal ka
Yeh nayan dare dare
Dil ki duniya basake saawariya
Chanda hai tu, mera suraj hai tu
Dil apna aur preet parayi, kisne hai yeh reet banayi
Jo humne daastan apni sunai, aap kyu roye
Rimjhim gire saawan
Balma bada naadan re
Chaand madhyam hai, aasmaan chup hai
Dil toh hai dil, dil ka aetbaar kya kijiye
Saawan ke jhoole pare
Ghadi ghadi mora dil dhakde
Dil mein baji pyar ki shehnaiyya
Ruk ka raat theher ja re chanda
Daiyya ri daiyya, yashoda maiyya
Aaj phir jeene ki tamanna hai
Agar mujhse mohabbat hai, mujhe sab apne gham de do
Dil ki kahaani
Mushqil hai bohat mushqil chaahat ka bhula dena
Hum tere pyar mein saara alam kho baithe
Bane ho ek khaak se, toh door kya kareeb kya
Duniya mein aaye hai toh
Guzra hua zamana aata nahi bhulana
Naino mein badra chhaye
Khuda nigehbaan ho
Neend churaye, chain churaye, daaka dale teri bansi
Jaana tha humse door/ Bachpan ki mohabbat ko
Rangeela re
Katate hai dukh mein ye din
Aji rooth kar ab kahan jayiega/ Mausam hai aashiqana
Thandi hawaayein lehraake aayi
Main tulsi tere aangan ki
Tune o rangeele
Sansaar se bhaage phirte ho
O mere bairaagi bhanwra
Bole re papihaara
Mera salaam le ja, dil ka payam le ja, uran khatole wale raahi
Payal ki jhankaar raste raste, dhoonde tera pyar raste raste
Awaaz deke mujhe tum bulao
Nadiya kinare gher aaye, aayi kangna
Mere bhaiyya, mere anmol ratan
Ghunghat nahi kholungi saiyyan tore aage
Dikhai diye yun
Tumne piya diya sab kuch mujhko
Ek radha ek meera
Honthon pe aisi baat dabake chali aayi
Sandhya jo aaye
Kaahe ko der lagai re
Bahaaron mera jeevan bhi sawaron
Sitaaron ki mehfil saji, tum na aaye
Na tum bewafa ho, na hum bewafa hai
Aaj sakhi ri more piya ghar aaye re
Awara aye mere dil, jaane kahan hai teri manzil
Zeehale muskin
Sharm aati hai magar aaj yeh kehna hoga
Humein kaash tumse mohabbat na hoti
Betaab dil ki tamanna yehi hai
Lo ishq muquraya
Sheesha ho ya dil ho aakhir toot jata hai
Banke panchi gaaye pyar ka taraana
Jeevandaata jagat pita tum
Na ja, o mere humdum
Nigahen kyu bhatakti hai
Maine kaha phoolon se
Gumnaam hai koi
Humeen karen koi surat unhe bhulane ki
Ja re ja o harjai/ Dhoondo dhoondo re saajna more kaan ka bala
Ek bewafa se pyar kiya
Jiya beqaraar hai, chahyi bahaar hai
Ek tu jo mil, saari duniya mili
Meri sunle araj banwari, tere dwar khadi dukhiyaari
Main toh tum sang, preet lagake
Roothe roothe piya
Mere chanda mere nanhe
Naajane kaise pal mein badal jaate hai
I present the playlist, only to notice that a large chunk of the songs are from the 50s and 60s. 70s and 40s too have a few entries, 80s onward not many. That's how I rank Lata Ji's transitions I suppose. Similarly, many a composition of Madan Mohan, Salil Chowdhury, Shankar Jaikishan, C. Ramachandra, S.D. Burman, Hemant Kumar find place, whereas to my personal amazement R.D. Burman and Naushad Saab aren't quite there in numbers. Anyway, I wish all of you have fun reverting to at least a few riveting renditions in here, that have faded into oblivion.
