This week, we continue listing our favourite Lata Mangeshkar songs completing the list of 80 songs. The years in focus, 1969-1988 when 45-year-old Lata sang for actors in their teens

Last fortnight, to commemorate Lata Mangeshkar reaching the benchmark age of 80 on September 28, I wrote about how the legendary singer has enjoyed singular success over the last 60 years and counted down her chartbusters from 1949-1968. I also distilled from her extensive oeuvre one personal favourite of mine for each of those 20 years. This time, I explore the next 20 years.u00a0


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1969
Chartbuster:u00a0 Bindiya chamkegi, chudi khankegi (Do Raaste, Laxmikant Pyarelal)
Lata and LP remained partners-in-rhyme for decades because of chartbusters such as these. In this song, a pug-nosed Mumtaz distracts nascent superstar Rajesh Khanna from studying with the help of Lata's caramel-coated vocals. Lata impresses with the fluidity of her Punjabi rendition and her feistiness, which even LP's rumbustious dhols cannot subdue. And can anyone cry as musically as Lata does before an antara?

My Choice: Kaise rahoon chup? (Intequam, Laxmikant Pyarelal)
The Helen cabaret Aa jaane jaa from Intequam is ranked as a busting-out-of-the-box departure for Lata, but for me the virtuoso display is Kaise rahoon chup, in which a supposedly drunk Sadhana lashes out in Lata's voice and makes an unholy scene at a party. Even Lata's hiccups (a la Anarkali's Mohobbat mein aise) are in rhythm.
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1970
Chartbuster: Achha toh hum chalte hain (Aan Milo Sajna, Laxmikant Pyarelal)
In this popular popcorn ditty picturised on Asha Parekh and Rajesh Khanna (at the peak of his stardom), both Lata and Kishore glide as though on greased rails between the knowingly farcical question-answer routine u2014 Der kar di badi, zara dekho toh ghadi is greeted with Oh ho, meri toh ghadi bandh hai. Priceless.
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My Choice: Zamaane mein aji aise kayee nadaan hote hain (Jeevan Mrityu, Laxmikant Pyarelal)
In this well-penned mujra u2014 Wahan le jaate hai kashti jahan toofan hote hai is the second line u2014 Lata's nuanced interpretation dominates the song despite the weighty words. Zeb Rehman was lucky to bag this song onscreen.
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1971
Chartbuster: Maar diya jaaye (Mera Gaon Mera Desh, Laxmikant Pyarelal
Lata could be provocative as well as pristine. This vitriolic vamps's number would evoke whistles in theatres as Lata imbued her singing with the sentiment of scoffing while intoning, Aa raha hai taras teri jawaani pe u2026