Be it Lag Ja Gale or Pyar Kiya Toh Darna Kya, Vande Mataram or Inhi Logon Ne, Tere Liye or Mohe Panghat Pe, the voice behind the songs hit the instant recall button in your brain. The powerful presence of a voice sweeter than sugar, Lata Mangeshkar became an international sensation early in her life. From Bollywood movies to regional cinema and multiple stage shows, she has built an empire of her talent that’s truly considered to be God’s gift.
On her 92nd birthday today, TC46 celebrates Lata Mangeshkar with 25 songs from her collection you simply can’t skip and some fun facts about the singing sensation.
Top 25 Songs By Lata Mangeshkar To Listen To
1. Na Bole Na Bole Re – Azaad (1955)
Lata Mangeshkar lent her voice to top star Meena Kumari in this song and dance number. The song is about Radha singing in praise of Lord Krishna.
2. Man Mohana Bade Jhoothe – Seema (1955)
Picturised on Nutan, this song had the trained singer realistically accompany the song on the tanpura as she lip-synched.
3. Nain So Nain Nahi Milao – Jhanak Jhanak Payal Baaje (1955)
With music by Vasant Desai, this song was a chance for Lata didi to show off her classical chops.
4. Rasika Balma – Chori Chori (1956)
This soulful number in Chori Chori is a delight with Nargis on-screen.
5. Ajeeb Dastan Yeh – Dil Apna Aur Preet Parai (1960)
An all time favourite of several listeners, this Meena Kumar song just hits the right spot.
6. Allah Tero Naam – Hum Dono (1961)
Sahil Ludhianvi’s lyrics coupled with Lata didi’s unparalleled voice added to its luster with this devotional song that gave goosebumps.
7. Naina Barse Rim Jhim – Woh Kaun Thi (1964)
This song was the centerpiece of great music in Raj Khosla’s psychological thriller.
8. Tu Jahan Jahan Chalega – Mera Saaya (1966)
This haunting melody with Sadhana in the frame is one for the books.
9. Inhi Logon Ne Inhi Logon Ne – Pakeezah (1972)
Meena Kumari’s Pakeezah had Lata Mangeshkar lending her voice for this rare dancing girl tune.
10. Ek Pyar Ka Nagma Hai – Shor (1972)
The queen of melody bestowed her voice for Jaya Bhaduri’s movie who was a thrilled newcomer.
11. Raina Beeti Jaaye – Amar Prem (1972)
From an adaptation of a Bengali story came this movie that showcased Sharmila Tagore and Rajesh Khanna.
12. Bahon Mein Chale Aao – Anamika (1973)
An R D Burman superhit, this was a different song Lata didi sang that still makes people hum along today.
13. Tere Bina Zindagi Se Koi – Aandhi (1975)
From Suchitra Sen’s famous movie, this one managed to capture the hearts of millions.
14. Solah Baras Ki Baali Umar – Ek Duuje Ke Liye (1981)
This Hindi romantic tragedy starring Kamal Haasan and Rati Agnihotri was a massive hit.
15. Yeh Kahan Aa Gaye Hum – Silsila (1981)
This megastar movie by Yash Chopra had one of most famous playlists.
16. Ae Dil-e-Nadan – Razia Sultan (1983)
Hema Malini starred in this period drama that had Lata Mangeshkar lending her voice to this beautiful piece.
17. Mere Haathon Mein – Chandni (1989)
The Sridevi-Lata Mangeshkar combination is perfect for this superhit shaadi song!
18. Tu Mere Saamne Song – Darr (1993)
Written by Anand Bakshi, Tu Mere Saamne from Darr is sung by Lata Mangeshkar and Udit Narayan.
19. Ek Radha Ek Meera – Ram Teri Ganga Maili (1985)
The last film directed by Raj Kapoor, this one stuck with the audience for a variety of reasons.
20. Tujhe Dekha Toh – Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (1995)
This cult-classic movie is unforgettable for its songs and this one just takes the cake.
21. Pani Pani Re – Maachis (1996)
The loneliness of a woman, portrayed by Tabu, is captured beautifully within the silent Himalayan ranges by the esteemed singer.
22. Are Re Are – Dil Toh Pagal Hai (1997)
Madhuri Dixit’s million watts smile with Lata didi’s melodious voice creates this amazing song.
23. Jiya Jale – Dil Se (1998)
Mani Ratnam used Mangeshkar’s voice for this number picturised on Shah Rukh Khan and Preity Zinta.
24. Ek Tu Hi Bharosa – Pukar (2000)
A R Rahman returned with Lata Mangeshkar for one of her last song performances in a middling film that stood out mostly for its music.
25. Tere Liye – Veer Zaara (2001)
This Shah Rukh Khan, Preity Zinta song is a tearjerker with its grand opulence and soul touching music.
5 Fun Facts About The Legendary Lata Mangeshkar
Leading a life of reverence, she is still looked up to for her unparalleled singing talent. Here are a few interesting facts about Lata Mangeshkar.
1. The Mangeshkar Family
Born on September 28, 1929 to classical singer and theatre artist Pandit Deenanath Mangeshkar and Shevanti, Lata didi is the eldest daughter of the family. She was born as Hema to a Goan father and a Gujarati mother in the princely state of Indore. Her name was later changed to Lata that was inspired by ‘Latika,’ a popular character from her father’s play titled Bhaaw Bandhan.
Deenanath Mangeshkar had 5 children; Lata Mangeshkar, Asha Bhosle, Usha Mangeshkar, Meena Khadikar and Hridaynath Mangeshkar. Asha Bhosle is best known as a playback singer in Hindi cinema. Usha Mangeshkar is an Indian singer who has recorded many Hindi, Marathi, Bengali, Nepali, Bhojpuri and Gujarati songs. Meena Khadikar is an Indian Marathi and Hindi language playback singer and composer. Hridaynath Mangeshkar is a music composer and singer, popular for his work in Marathi.
2. The Gurus Who Created The Gem
In 1942, her father’s untimely death put the onus of providing for the family on her shoulders. In 1949, she moved to Bombay (now Mumbai), where she began learning Hindustani music from Ustad Aman Ali Khan.
On 11th February 2021, Lata Mangeshkar shared an ode to her late Gurus with a heartfelt post on Twitter. She shared three pictures of her teachers where they can be seen striking a pose. One can also notice the monochrome picture being safely kept by the singer. Along with the picture, the singer also penned a heart-warming note revealing details about the same. She wrote, “Mere jeevan pe jinka bahut prabhav raha un char guruon mein se 3 Gurujanon ki aaj punyatithi hai. Mere adhyatmik guru Jammu maharaj ji, mere sangeet ke guru Ustad Aman Ali Khan Bhendi bazaarwale ji aur Mahakavi Pandit Narendra Sharma ji in sabko main koti koti pranam karti hun”.
3. The First Of Manys
The category of best playback singer at the Filmfare Awards was introduced in 1959 after Lata Mangeshkar’s protest. In 1974, she became the first Indian to perform at the Royal Albert Hall. Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru was moved to tears when Lata Ji sang the iconic song Aye Mere Watan Ke Logo on January 26, 1963. In the year 1938, she sang publicly for the first time at the age of nine at the Nutan Theatre, Sholapur. She sang two Marathi songs and Raag Khambavati.
4. Anandghan
The leading female playback singer also composed music for some of the Marathi films under the pseudonym Anandghan. Using the pseudonym, which means “cloud of joy” in Marathi, Mangeshkar composed music for four Marathi films in the 1960s: Mohityanchi Manjula (1963), Maratha Tituka Melvava (1964), Sadhi Manasa (1965) and Tambadi Mati (1969). Well before Anandghan made an appearance, Mangeshkar had written music for a Marathi film in 1950 under her own name. Then barely 20, she handled the score for Dinkar D Patil’s Ram Ram Pahune (1950). A prolific filmmaker, Patil made tamasha music popular in Marathi cinema. Not only was the movie a big success, but also its songs were extremely popular. In a role reversal of sorts, Mangeshkar even got composer-singer C Ramchandra to sing a catchy duet for her, Mazya Shetat Sonachi Piktay, along with her sister Meena.
5. The Queen Of Awards
Lata Mangeshkar has received several awards and accolades during her eight-decade-long career. She is the recipient of three National Film Awards, 15 Bengal Film Journalists’ Association Awards, four Filmfare Best Female Playback Awards, two Filmfare Special Awards, Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award and many more. Lata Mangeshkar was bestowed with the Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 1989. In 2001, she was awarded the Bharat Ratna, India’s highest civilian honour. The government of France conferred on her its highest civilian award (Officer of the Legion of Honour) in 2007. Along with these, Lata Mangeshkar holds the distinction of being the most recorded artist in the history of Indian music in the Guinness Record in 1974. The Indian government honoured her with the Daughter of the Nation award on her 90th birthday in September 2019.
