6 February 2022, its already been 3 years since India lost a singing legend, someone who can be rightly termed as a national icon. Perhaps no other playback singer has contributed to film music as Lata Mangeshkar did in her multi-decade career. The heroines were so lucky to have her as their onscreen voice. I feel she was superlative in the 1950 to 1970 period.
Today’s post is dedicated to Lata Mangeshkar (LM) and the heroines she sang for in the 1950s and 60s i.e. the top heroines of the 2 decades who were blessed to have many or rather most of their songs sung by LM. All are romantic and happy numbers. So here we go…
1) Song: Mujhe Kisi Se Pyaar Ho Gaya
Film: Barsaat (1949)
Credits: Hasrat Jaipuri | Shankar Jaikishan | Lata Mangeshkar
Lets start with Nargis, a combination of beauty and great acting skills. LM has sung many songs for Nargis especially for R. K. Films including Awara, Aah, Shree 420 and Jagte Raho. In this song, we see a very young Nargis with Raj Kapoor. Raj Kapoor plays the violin and Nargis frolics around singing the bouncy song. This was a breakthrough movie for LM along with Mahal and Andaz the same year. She was all set to capture the listeners’ hearts with her incomparable talent.
Aankhon aankhon mein kar ke ishaare,
Kisne dil se kaha hum tumhare,
Haay yeh kya kiya, O salone piya, mora dhadke jiya,
Ho o o o, mujhe kisi se pyaar ho gaya
2) Song: Unse Pyaar Ho Gaya
Film: Baadal (1951)
Credits: Shailendra | Shankar Jaikishan | Lata Mangeshkar
A classic beauty Madhubala. Here she is at her chirpy best, bringing out all the expressions that only she can display. And that smile! Madhubala was one of the actresses for whom LM’s voice fits perfectly and this song is no different. Both enchant us in this enduring number based on raag Bhairavi. Like the earlier song, the heroine keeps talking about falling in love and what a lovely feeling that is!
Ulfat ki dekho kaisi ajab kahaani,
Aye na baadal phir bhi barasa hai paani,
Unse pyaar ho gaya unse pyaar ho gaya
3) Song: Ghadi Ghadi Mora Dil Dhadke
Film: Madhumati (1958)
Credits: Shailendra | Salil Chowdhury | Lata Mangeshkar
A southern beauty with unmatched dancing skills – Vyjanthimala. LM sings a song of waiting, the heroine is looking forward to meet Dilip Kumar. Simple lyrics and music but highly effective.
Saari umar ke badale maine maangi thi ye shaam,
Aaj yahi kho jaungi main unki baahen thaam re, unki baaahen thaam,
Pyaar mila aanchal bhar ke, dil dhadke, kyu dhadke
Aaj milan ki bela mein, sar se chunariya kyu sarke,
Ghadi ghadi mora dil dhadke
4) Song: Mora Gora Ang Lai Le
Film: Bandini (1963)
Credits: Gulzar| S. D. Burman | Lata Mangeshkar
Nutan was an accomplished actress and good at singing. She was one of the actresses who could lip sync the songs so well being a singer herself. And if the singer is LM, the result is pure gold! This is Gulzar’s first song as a lyricist. The heroine has realized she has fallen in love and brings out her emotions. She even admonishes the moon for peeping at her from the clouds and teasing her plight.
Badari hataa ke chandaa, chup ke se jhaanke chandaa,
Tohe raahu laage bairi, muskaaye ji jalaai ke,
Ho o o o, mora gora ang lai le
5) Song: Ek Tu Jo Mila
Film: Himalay Ki God Mein (1965)
Credits: Indeevar | Kalyanji Anandji | Lata Mangeshkar
Mala Sinha was a singer on All India Radio before she moved to Hindi movies and had a long career as a heroine. In this song, the heroine has realised that the hero (Manoj Kumar) is the one for her. She acknowledges the feeling in an evergreen song based on raag Charukeshi. LM is in top form singing with all emotion and verve in this fast paced composition.
Kabhi jo na bichade wo saathi hu mai,
Tu mera diya teri baati hu mai,
Bujhaya bujhi, jalaya jali,
Khila jo mera dil saari bagiya khili,
Ek tu jo mila
6) Song: Piya Tose Naina Laage Re
Film: Guide (1965)
Credits: Shailendra | S. D. Burman | Lata Mangeshkar
An intense actress and a skilled dancer, that was Waheeda Rehman. Guide was one of her most famous and challenging roles, which did not fit into the normal definition of a Hindi film heroine. While the song showcases her dancing and rise as a performer, it also shows the progressing of romance between the 2 lead characters played by Waheeda Rehman and Dev Anand. This is a long and tough song, Waheeda is magic on screen and LM off it.
Rat Ko Jab Chand Chamake, Jal Uthhe Tan Mera,
Mai Kahu Mat Kar O Chanda, Iss Galee Kaa Phera,
Aana Mora Saiyya Jab Aaye,
Chamakana Uss Rat Ko Jab Milenge Tan Mann, Milenge Tan Mann
Piya Tose Naina Laage Re, Naina Laage Re
7) Song: Suno Sajana
Film: Aaye Din Bahar Ke (1966)
Credits: Anand Bakshi | Laxmikant Pyarelal | Lata Mangeshkar
Asha Parekh was known as the “hit girl” who had a string of hits to her credit. In this song, the heroine informs the hero about the arrival of spring. Flowers are blooming all over and so is love. LM’s voice is infectious right from the first alaap; the song on screen showcases the chirping of birds and glory of the nature, slowly blossoming into a romantic number.
Dekho na aise dekho, marzi hai kya tumhaari,
Bechain kar na dena, tumko kasam hamaari,
Hum hi dushman na ban jaaye, kahi apni qaraar ke,
Sambhal jaao chaman waalo, ke aaye din bahaar ke
8) Song: Unse Mili Nazar
Film: Jhuk Gaya Aasman (1966)
Credits: Hasrat Jaipuri | Shankar Jaikishan | Lata Mangeshkar
Saira Banu was another beautiful heroine of the 60s. The song involves a cute and funny sequence in the movie. There is a realisation of love song but the lovers are yet to admit it. The heroine describes the hero, her attraction towards him, totally unaware he is in her room under the bed and listening with all interest. It is worth noting how LM modulates her voice to suit the heroine and matching the pace and nature of the song. What a delight to the listener!
Jab woh mile mujhe pehli baar,
Unn se ho gayi aankhein chaar,
Paas na baithe pal bhar woh,
Phir bhi ho gaya unn se pyaar,
Itni thi bas khabar, itni thi bas khabar,
Itni thi bas khabar ke mere hosh udd gaye,
Unn se mili nazar ke mere, hosh udd gaye
9) Song: Kis Liye Maine Pyar Kiya
Film: The Train (1970)
Credits: Anand Bakshi | R. D. Burman | Lata Mangeshkar
Nanda had to work as a child actress to support her family and later became a successful heroine. It is said that LM’s voice is a perfect match for her. This is a soft romantic song. Nanda is in a joyous mood and eagerly waiting for Rajesh Khanna’s arrival at her house. He is going to speak about their marriage with her mother.
Aankho mein maine kajal dala, maathe pe bindiya lagai,
Aise me tu aa jaye to, kya ho ram duhai,
Chhup ke mann mein armano ne li kaisi angadai,
Koi dekhe to kya samjhe ho jaye rusvai,
Maine kyon singar kiya, dil ko yuhi bekarar kiya,
Sham savere teri raah dekhi, raat din intazar kiya ho,
Kis liye maine pyaar kiya
10) Song: Mausam Hai Aashiqana
Film: Pakeezah (1972)
Credits: Kamal Amrohi | Ghulam Mohammed | Lata Mangeshkar
And finally, Meena Kumari, a beautiful and brilliant performer. One of the finest from the 1950s & 60s era. Dramatic circumstances lead to the heroine meeting the hero, steering her life in a new direction. The protagonist realises she has fallen in love and bursts into song. LM makes the raag Yaman Kalyan song sound so easy and does full justice.
Suraj kahi bhi jaaye tum par na dhup aaye,
Tumko pukarate hai in gesuon ke saaye,
Aa jaao mai bana du palkon ka shamiyana,
Mausam hai aashiqana
Cine Gaurav 