A blithe, free spirit, the musical notes she sings, the notes that she renders, clear to the last bar, words pronounced with a clarity that will put the best of all to shame, the panache herself – Lata didi who is fondly also addressed as the Daughter of the Nation, the Singing Nightingale of India surely deserves many more accolades and titles that come her way. From creating a Guinness World record by recording 30,000 songs in the 1960s to carving her name on the heart of all music lovers alike, the best Lata Mangeshkar songs have been ruling the music domain for many decades now.
Daughter of Deenanath Mangeshkar, born in 1929, this maestro started learning music at a very early age. From Madhubala to Kajol to Madhuri Dixit to Priyanka Chopra and several others she has lent her voice to a host of the leading ladies of Bollywood as well as for several regional languages. Her versatility such, she has been a performer par excellence for all genres of music be it Ghazal, Pop, Bollywood, Devotional and many others.
So here we thought of assimilating and getting the best of the best. Nahi samjhe?
Arey bhai, here are the best Lata Mangeshkar songs you have been hearing for decades and revelling in.
READ: 9 Bollywood Movies that broke the stereotypes with hard-hitting content
The iconic bordered white saree, the bindi on her forehead and that middle parting are the trademark of this splendid artist. For ages now, we have been listening to and drowning ourselves in the sweet notes of her voice which seems to only get more mystical with age, casting a fine spell on the listener.
So, today I thought let’s look back and assimilate a list of some of the most iconic songs we have been fortunate enough to have indulged our souls in, thanks to Didi’s sweet voice.
Aayega Aanewala from Mahal
Kamal Amrohi’s directorial debut, this one still has the power to make the hair at the back of my neck rise….
Aye Mere Watan Ke Logon
A patriotic song was written by Shri Pradeep, this one though performed for the first time back in 1963, in the revered presence of President S. Radhakrishnan and then PM Jawaharlal Nehru, till date, has the enigmatic power to bring a lump to every throat each time it is played or performed. It commemorates Indian soldiers who died during the Sino – Indian war in 1962.
Lag Jaa Gale from Who Kaun Thi
A soul-stirring melody this still has me crooning whenever I pine for my beloved…. Hah, mushy life I tell ya!!
Ek Pyaar ka Nagma Hai from Shor
This evergreen romantic is sung alongside another notable maestro the Great Mukesh still rules the hearts with its sweet notes and rendition.
Main Chali, Main Chali from Professor
Ah, Shammi Kapoor and Mohammad Rafi, this one is a match made to suit the pangs of my lyrical heart peeps….
Rangeela Re from Prem Pujari
A blend of folk and modern this one surely chimes in with our love pangs even today…
Pyaar Kiya Toh Darna kya from Mughal-e-Azam
Oh, this one is simply the Baap of Iconic ya!! I mean how can you even remain to be unaffected by the enigma and grandeur of this one. Sigh, the ethereal beauty of Madhubala again!!
Aaja Piya tohe Pyaar doon from Bahaaron Ke Sapne (1967)
Oh, mush this one is! Don’t we all really wish we croon this one persistently for our beloved?
Ye Kahaan Aa Gaye Hum from Silsila
Amitabh and Rekha, the eternal pair, need I even say more folks? Wanna just dive into the dregs of this melody…
Dafliwale from Sargam
I guess to date this particular track is as peppy as it is happy yeah! I swear anyone can simply start swaying to this gay, beautiful number.
Dushman Na Kare from Aakhir Kyon
I feel ya folks when the strings of this one are played. Betrayal at its lethal best!!
Pardesia from Mr Natwarlal
Oh, I know this one is like the first of those songs which you simply play to gather around and dance your heart out. This one is one of the few retros that is surely played at every dance party.
Yeh Galliyan ye Chaubara from Prem Rog
Kya kahoon, this one has a special significance – I mean imagine a to be bride singing this one. Sigh, emotion at the highest plinth yeah !!
Sheesha ho Ya Dil ho from Aasha
Oh, heart-shattering and crinkly every time I hear this ya!
Kaanchi Re from Hare Rama Hare Krishna
Transported to the mountains with this one, crooning the melody of the hills…
Ye Samaa, Samaa hai ye Pyaar ka from Jab Jab Phool Khile
Who said Lata didi could not pull off sensuous notes? This one will put the best of singers to shame, the kind of passion she has infused in it through her fine baritone.
O Paalanhare from Lagaan
This one is simply another level. I mean it is a fusion, to be honest. A spiritual meets emotion meets a plea for divine help. I am aware people croon this one whenever they are in a quandary.
Dil to Pagal Hai from Dil to Pagal Hai
Possibly, the cult love track of the 90s, this was the beginning of a new era of music where there were only sweet nothings ya! Not to forget Koi ladki hai and Pyaar kar from the same movie. Oh, and who can forget Dholna? I believe only Punjabis understood the true meaning of the term Dholna back then, yet the entire mass of music lovers did not shy away from humming this one.
Tujhe Dekha Toh ye Jaana from Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge
my personal favourite and everybody else’s too, am sure. I barely know anyone who does not like this one. It can be termed the Love Anthem of our times. Not to forget Mere Khwaabon from the same movie which was every young lady’s fav back then. And Mehendi lagake rakhna which is like a “Wedding song” without which every wedding is incomplete.
Kabhie Khushi Kabhie Gham from Kabhie Khushi Kabhi Gham
I get goosebumps even today after 20 years of its release, every time I hear this one, especially the sad version. I mean how does didi do this? So much sentiment just in one track? Kya kahein, am swooning… as Rani did in this one.
Humko humise Chura Lo from Mohabbatein
Another iconic number, this one is the go-to track for all those who are in love or decide to fall in. They say a person’s voice may age with time and sound a bit flat. Not so in Didi’s case. I don’t think anyone could have sung it with more feeling than her. It is another level this one.
Hah, just can’t seem to get enough of her fabulous tracks ya. Anyways, am halting here for now. Hope you liked this ensemble of some of Lata Mangeshkar’s most iconic songs to date.
Hope you enjoyed reading 21 Best Lata Mangeshkar Songs That Have Been Ruling Our Hearts For Decades
That’s it for now from all of us at Booxoul. Stay safe, take care and do not forget to come back for your daily dose of entertainment, travel, lifestyle and all things bookish, only @Booxoul – India’s best book review and lifestyle blog.
Ciao people !!
Content Writer, Poet, Fiction Writer and a bundle of mystique, Rekha Bhagtani is a person who believes that writing is a true escapade one can get from this ruthless, mortal world. Not only is writing and reading therapeutic but also a complete life-altering experience for her, one she longs to revel and dive in every day, far from the clandestine of today, into the unknown, unexplored realms of something new every time.
Coming soon with her second book, a fiction where time travel meets romance in a fun manner, thanks to mythology. Confused? Keep watching this space…
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