Melodious memories

As Lata Mangeshkar turns 80 this September, we bring you a list of her 80 best chartbuster songs from 1949 to 1969.. and against it, our choice of songs that scored

As Lata Mangeshkar turns 80 thisu00a0 September, we bring you a list of her 80 best chartbuster songs from 1949 to 1969.. and against it, our choice of songs that scored

Unprecedented! Unparalleled! These are the words that spring to mind unsummoned when I review Lata Mangeshkar's playback singing career. To retain your position of eminence for over 60 years is an incredible feat! Lata started acting and singing as an adolescent with a Marathi film, Pahili Mangalagaur (1942).

Thereafter, she came to Mumbai to struggle as a playback singer. She became the singing voice of the heroine after the Ghulam Haider-composed Dil mera toda and achieved spectacular success by 1949. And for an astonishing 50 years from 1949 to 1998u00a0she had a hit song in every year!

Since legendary nightingale Lata Mangeskhar turns 80 on September 28, 2009, I have traced, over two instalments, her perennial hits for each year of her most gilded (in my opinion) period 1949 to 1988. I could not resist selecting one gem from each year that holds some special appeal to me. Here are 80 songs to celebrate Lata's 80 years.u00a0

u00a0
1949
Chartbuster: Aayega aayega u2026 aanewala (Mahal, Khemchand Prakash)
Annum mirabilis 1949 witnessed the true efflorescence of Lata's talent. At the young age of 20, she unleashed an unending string of superhit songs in that single year (Andaaz, Barsaat, Ek Thi Ladki, Bazaar, Lahore, Badi Bahen). The peak was scaled with 'Aayega aanewala' from Mahal. The haunting singing and the crystalline crescendo after the gradual build-up makes this pioneer of ghost songs still worthy of goose pimples.u00a0

My choice: Baharein phir bhi aayengi, magar hum tum juda honge (Lahore, Shyamsunder)
It's a fabulous composition and the way Lata handles the sher in the beginning and makes a smooth transition to high-pitched singing thereafter is an art. Lata's voice in the 1940s is innocence personified.

1950
Chartbuster: Gore gore o banke chhore (Samadhi, C Ramchandra)
All coquettish and feminine, Lata sings for the petite Nalini Jaywant and matches vocals with Ameerbai Karnataki who lends her voice to the robust Kuldeep Kaur, dressed as a man. The catchy tune ensured a smash.u00a0

My choice: Kisi ke dil mein rehna tha (Babul, Naushad)
This rare duet between Shamshad (for Munnawar Sultana) and Lata (for Nargis) proves that strong and soft can both be appealing and express the angst of unrequited love.

1951
Chartbuster: Ghar aaya mera pardesi (Awaara, Shankar Jaikishen)
Can you sit through a nine-minute-long dream sequence song? Yes, if Lata was singing part of it and Raj Kapoor had conceptualised it. The lavishly shot dream song featuring a radiant Nargis dancing in the clouds was embellished by Lata's vocals.

My choice: Hawa mein dil dole, machal kar bole (Saiyan, Sajjad Hussain)
The undervalued Sajjad Hussain gave Lata six uniquely complex compositions in Saiyyan, which she sang with verve. Madhubala's inimitable chutzpah enlivened the song further.

1952
Chartbuster: Mohe bhool gaye sanwariya (Baiju Bawra, Naushad)
Each song of Naushad's classic on classical music, Baiju Bawra, was a big hit. Lata's rendition of the Raag Bhairav-based, pathos-laden Mohe bhool gaye sanwariya made this number a forerunner to Meena Kumari's career as a tragedy queen.

My choice: Pighla hai sona u2026 door gagan mein (Jaal, S D Burman)
Lata's voice had an almost other-worldly serene quality, which complemented Sahir's mystical lyrics (Jaane yeh kisne, hasrati yeh bhed rachaye).

1953
Chartbuster: Yeh zindagi ussi ki hai (Anarkali, C Ramchandra)
The song's concluding refrain Alvida alvida with its many variations has reverberated through the ages with undimmed effect.

My choice: Kaare badra tu na ja, na ja (Shikast, Shankar Jaikishen)u00a0
Rain songs are a genre onto themselves. This Lata-Nalini Jaywant nugget is as breezy and invigorating as the first rains of the season.u00a0u00a0u00a0

1954
Chartbuster: Man dole mera tan dole (Nagin, Hemant Kumar)
If further proof of this song's eternal popularity is needed, the remix of the tune from Love Aaj Kal, is the ringtone of my daughter's generation. In the film, Vyjayanthimala's sinuous dance was a bonus.

My choice: Dil jale toh jale (Taxi Driver, S D Burman)
Oozing sensuality was not Lata's forte? Tune into this song and think again. Sheila Ramani's smouldering siren act is abetted by Lata's smooth rendition of this softly blazing torch song.

1955
Chartbuster: Pyar hua iqrar hua (Shri 420, Shankar Jaikishen)u00a0u00a0u00a0
This Lata-Manna Dey duet is often sighed upon as the last word in romance. The visuals of Raj-Nargis under an umbrella are etched into our minds as is Lata singing: Main na rahungi, tum na rahoge, phir bhi rahengi nishaniyan.u00a0u00a0

My choice: Chand madham hai (Railway Platform, Madan Mohan)u00a0
Lata could infuse just the right amount of emotion required for a song even without raising her voice u2014 evident in this song and Phaili hui hai sapno ki bahein, another iridescent 1955 gem.

1956
Chartbuster: Aaja sanam madhur chandni mein hum (Chori Chori, Shankar Jaikishen)
Lata glides through this hit romantic duet, just effortlessly.

My choice: Aa mere Ranjhana (Heer, Anil Biswas)u00a0
At this stage, Lata could sound mellifluous at any pitch u2014 just listen to this unusual composition. Anil Biswas and Lata are a truly virtuoso combination.

1957
Chartbuster: Aye malik tere bande hum (Do Aankhen Barah Haath, Vasant Desai)
Lata's fervent devotion is manifest in her rendition.

My choice: Ho umad ghumad kar aayi re ghata (Do Aankhen Barah Haath, Vasant Desai)
A friend says this song has the power to lift his mood at most times; and indeed Bharat Vyas' poetic lyrics and Lata and Manna Dey's vocals just brim over with irresistible joie de vivre.

1958
Chartbuster: Aaja re pardesi, main toh kab se khadi iss paar (Madhumati, Salil Chowdhury)
The song's stronghold over listeners was undiminished even when it was played 13 years later in Guddi (1971). Vyjayanthimala has had many a superhit song sung by Lata but has become synonymous with this gem.

My choice: Meri jaan meri jaan (Yahudi, Shankar Jaikishen)
Lata is seductively teasing in this song and whoops it up with a merry 'Wai wai wai'. A rare joyous song picturised on Meena Kumari.

1959
Chartbuster: Woh chand khila woh taare hase (Anari, Shankar Jaikishen)
Nutan was excellent at bang-on lip sync and does full justice to Lata's gift for crystal clear enunciation.

My choice: Intezar aur abhi aur abhi (Char Dil Char Rahein, Anil Biswas)
Lata's voice rises and falls entrancingly in tune with the trepidation-filled expectations of Nimmi's character in the film.

1960
Chartbuster: Jab pyar kiya toh darna kya (Mughal-e-Azam, Naushad)
K Asif'e eye for grand visuals, Naushad's high on drama music, Shakeel Badayuni's stirring lyrics (pardah nahee jab koi khuda se, bandon se pardah karna kya), beauteous Madhubala's defiant dance, and, sone pe suhaga, Lata's melodious outburst u2026 Mughal-e-Azam was a befitting swan song to the magical Madhubala-Mangeshkar association.

My choice: Haaey re woh din kyon na aaye (Anuradha, Ravi Shankar)
This song testifies that Lata may have sung innumerable sad songs yet seems to save up some distinctive emotion for each song.

1961
Chartbuster: Do hanson ka joda bicchad gayo re (Ganga Jamuna, Naushad)u00a0
Dilip Kumar paces in jail. Vyjayanthimala paces in her confined courtyard. And Lata's voice encapsules the piercing anguish of her shattered dreams.

My choice: Jyoti kalash chhalke (Bhabhi Ki Chudiyan, Sudhir Phadke)
A serene bhajan listen to it at dawn and you will sail through the day. When Pandit Narendra Sharma penned a song (the title song of Satyam Shivam Sundraram), Lata scaled new heights in tunefulness.

1962
Chartbuster: Kahin deep jale kahin dil (Bees Sal Baad, Hemant Kumar)u00a0u00a0
This Filmfare-award winning song showcased that Lata's voice had retained its trademark lilt even after an illness.

My choice: Tera mera pyar amar (Asli Naqli, Shankar Jaikishen)
Lata's voice resonates with purity in this wistful exploration of romantic idealism.

1963
Chartbuster: Jo waada kiya woh nibhana padega (Taj Mahal, Roshan)u00a0
Lata's non film song, Aye mere watan ke logon was the undoubted sensation of the year. Onscreen, Taj Mahal's duet with Rafi was a treat.u00a0u00a0

My choice: Khuda-e-bartar teri zameen par, zameen ke khatir yeh jung kyon hai? (Taj Mahal, Roshan)
Lata and lyricist Sahir make an impassioned plea for pacifism.

1964
Chartbuster: Budhha mil gaya (Sangam, Shankar Jaikishen)
O mere sanam may be a personal favourite but Vyjayanthimala putting up a floor show for Raj Kapoor was the undoubted showstopper.

My choice: Lag jaa gale ke phir yeh haseen raat ho na ho (Woh Kaun Thi, Madan Mohan)
A will o' the wisp quality distinguishes this Miss Mystery rendition with Lata furthering strengthening the enigma of Sadhana's character.

1965
Chartbuster: Kaanton se kheench ke yeh aanchal (Guide, S D Burman)
This ode to freedom makes the soul soar like an unfettered bird. The sheer exuberance that this Shailendra song evokes is peerless. Lata's voice is as pliant and graceful as Waheeda's dancing.

My choice: Yeh sama (Jab Jab Phool Khile, Kalyanji Anandji)
This dreamy number smoothens 'baby' Nanda's transition to a glamorous heroine Lata's voice is as silken and sensual as Nanda's white gown.

1966
Chartbuster: Tu jahan jahan rahega (Mera Saaya, Madan Mohan)
The Sadhana-Raj Khosla-Lata Mangeshkar-Madan Mohan combination was fertile. Lata gives full play to her voice in the title song of Mera Saaya, which was pitched high not just on the scales but also in terms of musical ambition.

My choice: Rahein na rahein hum (Mamta, Roshan)
Promises of eternal love for the mature at heart u2026 Lata helped make them believable.u00a0

1967
Chartbuster: Honthon pe aisi baat (Jewel Thief, S D Burman)
Vyjayanthimala's character's inner turmoil couldn't have found a more befitting expression.

My choice: Kareeb aa yeh nazar, phir mile, mile na mile (Anita, Laxmikant Pyarelal)
Lata's voice ebbs intermittently as Sadhana slurs and staggers from the bar stool to admire her reflection in a mirror. Hear this number kareeb se, and you will be left perplexed about why Lata shied from seductive numbers.

1968
Chartbuster: Main toh bhool chali babul ka desh (Saraswatichandra, Kalyanji Anandji)
No garba raas is complete without this upbeat folk song. My feet go into tapping auto mode each time it plays.

My choice: Gairon pe karam, apno pe situm (Aankhen, Ravi )
Lata scales high notes in the opening bars of this song with veteran ease. This song with Oriental orientation, gets throb from Mala Sinha's surprisingly minimilastic acting (she puts a lot into the twitch of a bare shoulder) and Lata's emotion-laden voice.
This article will continue Sunday after next

"Exciting news! Mid-day is now on WhatsApp Channels