Remembering Lata Mangeshkar on her 3rd death anniversary.
It’s been more than 8 months since I published a yearly review post of Lata Mangeshkar’s Hindi film songs.
I’m aware these kinds of posts might not interest all the readers. In fact many of them might find it boring. And that’s what was reflected in the lukewarm response of the readers to the series. Of course I should not expect that all of the regular readers would like such posts. I should also add that I am not good at shortlisting songs and tend to add all the songs that I like, turning the post a bit lengthy, perhaps to a length one would just scroll and wouldn’t care to read. So I’m also responsible partly for the average response.
But I must confess that I felt discouraged and seriously thought of revising the pattern. Not to go into detailed stats and limit the number of songs too.
So this time, I’ve managed to cut the number of songs to 20 (which used to cross 30 earlier) and make it crisp. No stats tables as earlier, just the top three composers and duets represented in a simple format.
So let’s go ………
In 1963, Lata Mangeshkar sang 111 songs for 37 films.
The stats include,
62 solos
38 duets with the male singers
18 duets with female singers
2 trios (one each for Bahurani and Grihasthi)
1 quartet for Jab Se Tumhein Dekha Hai
The details of duets –
Rafi – 22
Mukesh – 6
Asha Bhosle – 4
Usha Mangeshkar – 4
Mahendra Kapoor – 3
Hemant Kumar – 2
Kishore Kumar – 2
Kamal Barot – 2
Talat Mahmood – 1
The top three composers (those who composed for maximum number of films with Lata Mangeshkar in that year)
1. Chitragupt – 5 films (17 songs) – It’s a sort of record that Chitragupt was the top composer for the sixth time in a row.
2. Kalyanji Anandji – 4 films (14 songs)
A tie for the third spot between
3. S D Burman – 3 films (7 songs)
Shankar Jaikishan – 3 films (9 songs)
I remember 1963 for two important things.
– It was the year when Lata’s first recorded song for Burman da was released. It is said that after resolving the differences Lata Mangeshkar recorded a song for the movie, Bandini. However, the film, Dr Vidya (1962) was released earlier.
– Lata Mangeshkar’s differences with Rafi on the royalty issue had just begun. So while many of her duets with Rafi were released this year, a few of Rafi’s duets with Suman Kalyanpur were also released, the most prominent (with most likely Suman Kalyanpur sang as Lata’s replacement) being the title track of Dil Ek Mandir. And for the next three years (1964 to 1966) none of her duets were with Rafi.
Let’s go to the song list at once,
1. Uthegi Tumhari Nazar Dheere Dheere – Ek Raaz (1963) / Chitragupt – Majrooh
I’ve chosen just one film of Chitragupt for today’s list. This Kishore Kumar, Jamuna starrer movie sounds interesting and has good songs. All the songs are melodious and beautiful. This song, though not picturised on the main lead, is one of my favourites by Chitragupt. Jeevankala, who is a popular name in Marathi cinema, lip syncs to Lata Mangeshkar’s voice as she tries to romance Pran.
2. Husna Chala Kuchh Aisi Chaal – Bluff Master (1963) with Rafi / Kalyanji Anandji – Rajendra Krishan
I think this is an obvious choice! The song is catchy and has beautiful sarangi pieces. It features Shammi Kapoor, Saira Banu and Pran (again). I am not aware of the situation in the song, but it seems the couple is making fun of Pran.
3. Yun Na Akadiye Yun Na Bigadiye – Sunehri Nagin (1963) with Kamal Barot / Kalyanji Anandji – Indeevar
Well, the movie has some really good songs, but I keep on humming this catchy, rhythmic song and am unable to put it aside. I think you are aware of my fascination for the female duet dances (which I presented as a series a few years back) and this beautiful number picturised on Madhumati and Bela Bose.
Kamal Barot sang a couple of duets with Lata Mangeshkar, the other one being the most popular, Hasta Hua Nurani Chehra from Parasmani.
4. Mora Gora Ang Lai Le – Bandini (1963) / S D Burman – Gulzar
Such a beautiful melody! It is said to be Lata’s first recorded song after her reunion with S D Burman. It is Gulzar’s first popular song and has beautiful lyrics. What a concept of having a dark complexion as to get amalgamated with the night to be with the beloved!
5. Yeh Tanhai Haye Re Haye – Tere Ghar Ke Samne (1963) / S D Burman – Hasrat Jaipuri
Yet another beautiful melody picturised on Nutan and Dev Anand. It might have got eclipsed by Rafi’s solos and other duets, but the sweet song is a delight to watch and listen to.
6. Tere Khayalon Mein – Meri Surat Teri Aankhen (1963) / S D Burman – Shailendra
I can say the same about this song. The popularity of other songs of the movie has completely overshadowed this soft melody. Perhaps a lesser heard song, but very beautiful.
7. Woh Din Yaad Karo – Hamrahi (1963) with Rafi / Shankar Jaikishan – Shailendra
While the most popular song of the movie, the title track, was not sung by Lata Mangeshkar, she had a couple of duets with Rafi. One picturised on the main lead and the other on the comedy side plot, Mehmood and Shubha Khote. And I must confess, I am fond of the latter. It’s more appealing in my opinion.
8. Hum Tere Pyar Mein – Dil Ek Mandir (1963) / Shankar Jaikishan – Hasrat Jaipuri
This Meena Kumari, Raj Kumar and Rajendra Kumar starrer movie was studded with beautiful gems, the songs. And it was relatively easy to choose from just a couple of songs. It would sound a bit off the track, but it was Suman Kalyanpur’s first movie with Shankar Jaikishan and the association later continued successfully in the 70s as well.
9. Jurm e Ulfat Pe Humein Log – Taj Mahal (1963) / Roshan – Sahir
This beautiful ghazal somehow hasn’t got its due in my opinion. Beautifully written and composed in a typical ghazal recital pattern, Lata Mangeshkar easily conveys the calm confidence of the lady in her love when she also declines the wealth and power. The song deserves to be much more popular than it is.
10. Raat Bhi Hai Kuchh Bheegi Bheegi – Mujhe Jeene Do (1963) with Chorus / Jaidev – Sahir
Mujhe Jeene Do was produced by Ajanta Arts, Sunil Dutt’s home production company. Jaidev composed really wonderful songs for the movie and used both the Mangeshkar sisters for the playback of Waheeda Rehman. The most popular songs of the movie were also by both the sisters, and I’ve chosen Lata’s song for today’s list. A beautiful Mujra song, performed well by Waheeda Rehman on screen. Excellent expressions by Lata Mangeshkar and apt use of chorus.
11. Woh Dil Kahan Se Laaun – Bharosa (1963) / Ravi – Rajendra Krishan
Though it is said that Asha Bhosle was Ravi’s first choice, he offered quite a few songs to Lata Mangeshkar as well. This soulful song is among one of their best associations in my opinion. Picturised on a distressed Asha Parekh, the song portrays the agony of a heartbroken lady.
12. Mere Dil Mein Halki Si – Parasmani (1963) / Laxmikant Pyarelal – Asad Bhopali
Parasmani was Laxmikant Pyarelal’s first released film and all the songs were roaringly popular and still continue to be. I think the duets sung by Lata Mangeshkar for this movie are more popular than her solos. She was a part of all but one song. A couple of solos were a part of the film, one picturised on Helen and the other on Geetanjali. I’ve added the latter as I wouldn’t have got another opportunity to add this one. Though a costume drama, the song has a touch of western music or so I feel.
13. Main Jaagun Saari Rain – Bahurani (1963) / C Ramchandra – Sahir
I’ve already presented the other popular songs of this movie on various occasions. I had highlighted this, perhaps not so popular song, in one of my posts in the earlier years of blogging. Though it’s a lullaby, the scenario is quite different. And quite a different composition by C Ramchandra. He is distinctly different from his usual style of composition. Great lyrics by Sahir portraying the agony of a cheated lady, who’s torn between her emotions as a heartbroken bride and her responsibility to console her husband.
14. Mere Mehboob Mein Kya Nahin – Mere Mehboob (1963) with Asha Bhosle / Naushad – Shakeel Badayuni
Mere Mehboob was full of great melodies and as usual Lata Mangeshkar and Rafi were the main singers of the movie with a number of solos to their credit. Lata Mangeshkar sang a couple of duets with Asha Bhosle and this duet is one of my all time favorites where two friends tell about their beloved to each other. The last verse even mentions the possibility of both being talking about the same man! The song is presented in a qawwali style and the clapping sounds do add a rhythm to it.
15. Ek Baar Zara Phir Keh Do – Bin Baadal Barsaat (1963) with Hemant Kumar / Hemant Kumar – Shakeel Badayuni
What a beautiful duet! Though I was aware of the song, I hadn’t listened to it carefully ever. Such a sweet song! I wished the song would have ended with Asha Parekh calling him Deewana.
16. Jane Kahe Jiya Mora Dole Re – Godan (1963) / Pandit Ravishankar – Anjaan
Pandit Ravishankar composed for just a handful of Hindi films. But whenever he did, he created gems. I don’t know how popular this song is! But the orchestration in the beginning that corresponds to the ladies doing household chores is amazing.
17. Ae Dilruba Nazaren Mila – Rustom Sohrab (1963) / Sajjad – Jaan Nisar Akhtar
It’s the only song Lata Mangeshkar sang for Sajjad for the year. The song has a touch of Arabian music and it’s very difficult to sing. The song has a slow pace and needs to be sung with a lot of ठहराव and concentration. The aalaps in the interlude are out of the world.
18. Agar Main Poochhoon Jawab Dogi – Shikari (1963) with Rafi / G S Kohli – Faruq Kaiser
Lata Mangeshkar never sang for O P Nayyar, but when his longtime assistant, G S Kohli approached her, she was ready. She sang four songs for the movie, including a solo and three duets. I was tempted to add the most popular duet, ‘Tumko Piya Dil Diya’ to the ist. But her duets with Rafi from this movie haven’t yet appeared on the blog, so I took the opportunity. Picturised on Ajit and Ragini as a romantic song, it’s a delight.
19. Pankh Hote To Udd Aati Re – Sehra (1963) / Ramlal – Hasrat Jaipuri
Ramlal couldn’t get much opportunities in Hindi films in spite of composing great songs for this V Shantaram movie and it was popular too. This song again makes me nostalgic as I remember the good old days of Doordarshan and the relaxing Sunday mornings with Rangoli. I miss that peaceful aura and the carefree atmosphere. And that won’t ever be back! Heartbreaking indeed!
20. Bhule Se Kar Liya Pyar – Bhootnath (1963) / Vedpal Verma – Keshav Trivedi
What can I say about this song! I fell in love with it the moment I heard it. If you haven’t listened to it, I strongly recommend it. Forget about the film or the composer, which are not popular or well known at all.
Would you like a song by Lata Mangeshkar keeping the timeline?
Disclaimer –
Mehfil Mein Meri, claims no credit for any image, screenshots or songs posted on this site. Images on this blog are posted to make the text interesting. The images and screenshots are the copyright of their original owners. The song links are shared from YouTube, only for the listening convenience of music lovers. The copyright of these songs vests with the respective owners, producers and music companies.