A 'Lata Rarities' Playlist

To many fans, Lata Mangeshkar’s birthday is but an excuse to throw themselves back to the time they heard that one particular song. The occasion evokes melodious nostalgia to a big chunk of music listeners, yet there are more than a few gems which I have been seeing vanishing from the ‘popular Lata Mangeshkar Playlists’ which are often dominated by the popular aapki nazron ne samjha’ and tujhse naaraaz nahi.

So here's just a tiny effort to share with you some of the songs without which my playlist can never be complete.

Uthaaye jaa unke sitam (Andaz, 1949)

The drowning feel of the song owes much more to Lataji than to the ghazal like setting created by Naushad sahab with good help from excellent violins. Hear how Lataji slides once a while in the song with the tune and yelps, portraying the contrasting scenarios life put the protagonist on the screen.

Tu pyaar kare yaa thukraaye (Dekh Kabira Roya, 1957)

A song that sounds extremely simple to most of us but you try to sing along only to realise the variations it is filled with. Lataji makes it all too simple for the listeners without making it a ‘big deal’. Weaved into a melodious thread by Madan Mohan, the song doesn’t get the ‘clicks’ it warrants. Do check it out!

So gayaa saara zamaanaa (Miss Mary, 1957)

Lataji at her pleasant best. A fairytale music setting with a romantic reflection on one’s sleeplessness was never done better. I am not sure why this song doesn’t dominate many playlists I have come across, but my list cannot be complete without this immensely amiable song by Lataji.

Aye Dilruba (Rustam Sohrab, 1963)

Right from the opening aalaap which has Arabian nuances, this song has only Lataji to thank for the effect it quietly creates and leaves you wanting to hit the repeat button again and again. The sensual aspect of Arabian music has been mostly been stereotyped in Hindi films, but here we have a song that conveys sadness and melancholy with consummate ease largely because of Lataji’s fabulous singing.

Wo chup rahein to (Jahan Ara, 1964)

Composed by Madan Mohan, the ghazal king of Hindi films of his times, listen how Lataji makes you believe how the silence of a lover burns a hole in his beloved’s heart with her subdued singing in the mukhdaa and heart piercingly high notes in the antraa. Despite all this, not once do you lose interest in the song.

Tum gagan ke chandrama ho (Sati Savitri, 1964)

In this duet with Manna Dey, Lataji's part might sound too self-effacing, even ‘submissive’, to the Gen Y, but hear the beautiful exchange in the lyrics and you will know the intention behind the words. To hold and do exceedingly well in a song that had the master of classical singing Manna Dey is no mean feat and all this while retaining the feel of the song, a legendary achievement that echoes long after the song ends.

Mehlon ka raja mila (Anokhi Raat, 1968)

With the ‘vidaai’ fast vanishing as a genre from Hindi films off late, there is a good chance this song might have missed your attention. Irony is, the song plays itself out at a critical junction in this film with no context of ‘vidaai’ at all. Still, this remains one of the best songs Lataji has sung for the occasion. I remember this song only because it was ‘dubbed’ over almost all the wedding home videos I was subjected to as a kid, in 1990s. Good luck holding your tears!

Kitne din aankhein tarsengi (Naya Zamana, 1971)

Trying to mention a song that had the formidable S.D. Burman-Lata combo is running the risk of hearing, ‘Oh it is my favourite song!’. This song reassures with its hopeful message in many ways thanks to Lataji’s singing. My favorite is the ‘nayaa zamaana aayega’ part. It gives me hope as I am sure it will to you as well.

O Ghata Sanwari (Abhinetri, 1970)

The way Lataji has emoted this song was (especially towards the end of every antraa), if I dare say so, much ahead of its time. A beautiful rain with delicious singing on display. The ‘leher’ in the voice of Lataji is specially adorable when she goes ‘Har baat hai, bikhri hui’.

tuu Chandaa, main Chandanii (Reshma aur Shera, 1972)

At the risk of putting up an obvious song in the list, I cannot forget this beautiful composition by Jaidev to which Lataji gave a mounting like no singer of those times could have, while retaining the innocence of a lover who is besotted by her better half. A song that to my mind, has no equal, till date.

Gadh se to Meera Bai Utri (Chala Vahi Des, Non-filmi)

Lata mangeshkar did an album of Meera Bai bhajans named Chala Vahi Des. This bhajan is from that album and if you haven’t heard this, do give it a patient hearing and you are sure to look up the entire album. This one remains my favourite for the simple and effective singing by Lataji. Hridaynath Mangeshkar gave a fluid composition to Lata and she converted us to an image of Meera Bai’s devotion via this beautiful song.

I am sure every reader of this column has that one, or several songs, which she likes but hasn’t seen it being discussed on public platforms as much as they would want. While wishing Lata Mangeshkar all the peace and good health on her 85th Birthday, why don't you share that one song you feel should be added to this list in the comments section below?

Rohit Mehrotra is a music listener who is continuously looking for a good song recommendation. Language, genre, artist no bar!