Last Sunday we enjoyed Lata Mangeshkar’s solos sung for C Ramchandra. Today on the occasion of C Ramchandra’s
107th birthday, let’s visit duets and other songs sung by Lata Mangeshkar under his baton.
As I went through the duets, most of the duets were with male singers, a large chunk with Chitalkar himself. Followed by Talat Mahmood and Rafi. Among female singers, Amirbai Karnataki, Shamshad Begum and Usha Mangeshkar were on the top.
There are about 93 songs to consider for today’s list including 83 duets and 10 other songs (trios and quartets)
If I want to put it statistically,
(I don’t claim it be perfectly accurate)
Chitalkar – 39 songs
Talat Mahmood – 11 songs
Rafi – 10 songs
Hemant Kumar – 4 songs
Shamshad Begum – 3 songs
Usha Mangeshkar – 3 songs
Saraswati Rane – 2 songs
Geeta Dutt – 2 songs
Amirbai Karnataki – 2 songs
Kishore Kumar – 2 songs
Asha Bhosle – 1 song
Mahendra Kapoor – 1 song
Madhubala Jhaveri – 1 song
Chandbala – 1 song
Unknown singer – 1 song (from Sangeeta)
The other songs are for the films, Sargam (1950), Khidki (1948), Shehnai (1947), Hungama (1950), Sagai (1951), Roshni (1950), Bahurani (1963), etc.
As usual the songs are arranged chronologically. Let’s start the list without a further ado,
1. Jawani Ki Rail Chali Jaye Re – Shehnai (1947) with Geeta Dutt & Chitalkar (& ?Amirbai Karnataki) / Lyrics by P L Santoshi
It was Lata Mangeshkar’s first song for Chitalkar. Of the five on stage performers, I could recognise Rehana, Mumtaz Ali and Dulari. Lata Mangeshkar sings the third stanza, but I couldn’t recognise the actress lip synching to it. Of course the audio-visual quality is poor.
I’m aware the song is popular as a trio and HFGK also mentions it so, if you listen to it carefully, Rehana’s playback doesn’t sound like Geeta Dutt. At least I felt so.
Here’s the link for the audio version.
2. O Gori O Chhori Kahan Chali – Nadiya Ke Paar (1947) with Chitalkar / Lyrics by Moti B A
Lata Mangeshkar’s first duet with Chitalkar. Later they had a blast with their wonderful peppy duets. It was also Lata’s first duet under his baton. So far she had only trios to her credit. Lalita Deulkar was the main singer of the movie, though Shamshad Begum and Surinder Kaur had their shares too. Lata’s duet, as expected, was picturised on supporting characters. She was a newcomer afterall. She had no solos in 1948 for C Ramchandra. The scenario had a complete turnover the next year.
3. Qismat Hamare Saath Hai – Khidki (1948) with Shamshad Begum, Mohantara Talpade & Chorus / Lyrics by P L Santoshi
The song has male and female versions. Quite a fun to listen to. Though the audio quality is not great, I think Lata Mangeshkar has sung the first stanza. P L Santoshi and C Ramchandra together created a lot of melodies and fun in the late 40s.
4. Ulfat Ke Jadoo Ka – Sangram (1950) with Chitalkar / Lyrics by Brajendra Gour
What a delightful melody! Chitalkar sang for Ashok Kumar and the song follows a typical C Ramchandra course. It was Chitalkar’s forte to compose such playful, light hearted melodies and once Lata Mangeshkar entered his team, Shamshad Begum, who was his earlier choice for such songs, slowly faded away from his songs.
5. Gore Gore O Banke Chhore – Samadhi (1950) with Amirbai Karnataki / Lyrics by Rajendra Krishan
Nalini Jaywant and Kuldeep Kaur dance to a delightful tune by Chitalkar. Both of them play singers and dancers, who perform for an entertainment programme for the soldiers of Indian National Army. The song has been very popular and it still maintains popularity. It’s very impressive and commendable that Amirabai, who was more popular for her soulful sad songs, sings the peppy number with equal ease. She doesn’t sound uncomfortable at all, though that wasn’t perhaps her forte. The song again has an unmistakable Chitalkar touch and its magic starts right from the first moment.
6. Tinak Tin Tani – Sargam (1950) with Sarswati Rane / Lyrics by P L Santoshi
The song is meant to give a tight slap to those singers who, for their fondness for vocal acrobatics, ruin the beauty of a song. For the show of their training in classical music, a few singers mispronounce words, break the words at their choice. The song portrays such a scenario where Paro Devi (in Saraswati Rane’s voice) enacts a singer who’s in a habit of vocal acrobatics. Lata’s peaceful rendition sounds absolutely divine. The film had great songs and a lot of songs, all with a typical touch of Chitalkar.
7. Mohabbat Mein Aise Zamane Bhi – Sagaai (1951) with Talat Mahmood / Lyrics by Rajendra Krishan
The film had 9 songs and Lata Mangeshkar was a part of 8 songs. I love all the duets of this movie, but when I faced the task of choosing one, I instantly chose my most favourite. Talat complements Lata Mangeshkar so well in this one. The song has a beautiful tune and melody. No wonder it’s still fresh at the age of 75! Talat Mahmood sang for Chitalkar for the first time in 1951 for a couple of films, Shabistan and Sagai. So this is one of his earliest songs with Chitalkar. Later he became Chitalkar’s favourite and was offered songs for a few years.
8. Dil Ye Engine Seetiyan Mare – Ustad Pedro (1951) with Chitalkar / Lyrics by Raja Mehdi Ali Khan
A fun song, very much enjoyable. Talks about the engine of heart whistling for its beloved. It uses plenty of train related things, and has whistling of the train too. It’s a little surprising that Lata Mangeshkar sang the song, I mean the language is somewhat slang. Similarly, not a type of song, one would expect from Raja Mehdi Ali Khan. His films always had such naughty light hearted songs, at least in the late 40s and the early 50s. While Shamshad Begum used to be his choice for such songs, slowly even for such songs Lata Mangeshkar became his choice.
9. Sham Dhale Khidki Tale – Albela (1951) with Chitalkar / Lyrics by Rajendra Krishan
Albela was full of songs and Lata Mangeshkar was a part of all but one song. She had not less than 6 splendid duets with Chitalkar and one with Rafi in the film, of course not to forget her three beautiful solos as well. Which duet to select was a great dilemma! Finally I went for this energetic and playful duet.
10. Aa Gayi Hai Ishq Pe Bahar – Saqi (1952) with Rafi / Lyrics by Rajendra Krishan
The Madhubala and Premnath starrer movie had good songs. This song has a touch of Arabian music. The film was based on Arabian nights and of course aptly had suitable music. Lata Mangeshkar had four solos and one duet each with Rafi and Talat Mahmood.
11. Gaya Andhera Hua Ujala – Subah Ka Taara (1954) with Talat Mahmood / Lyrics by Noor Lakhnavi
A beautiful melody picturised on Pradeep Kumar and Jayashree. It’s a train song. It’s the most popular song of the movie. That was the period when Talat Mahmood frequently sang for C Ramchandra.
12. Gagan Jhanjhana Raha – Nastik (1955) with Hemant Kumar / Lyrics by
Very interesting scenario! The God himself warns and guides his devotee. The latter prays for her safety and ultimately reaches safely to her destination. The boat oscillates wildly in the storm, the thunders make the journey even more dangerous. But her faith in God solidifies her confidence. We can feel the thrill just by listening to the song. Ringing church bells in the background and the chorus in the song create an aura! What a different composition it is! Chitalkar has composed songs of so many different styles. And each song is perfectly melodious.
Hemant Kumar is a perfect choice for a voice emitting from a mysterious deity. It has so much of a solemnity. It is sombre and reassuring. Chitalkar has offered very few songs to Hemant Kumar in comparison to Rafi and Talat. But the majority of the songs are memorable.
13. Aplam Chaplam – Azaad (1955) with Usha Mangeshkar / Lyrics by Rajendra Krishan
I was torn between this song and Kitna Haseen Hai Mausam. But since I already had Lata Mangeshkar’s duets with Chitalkar on the list, I decided to go for the equally popular and melodious dance number. Picturised as a birthday party song, the dance by Sai and Subbulaxmi is absolutely enchanting! The dholak piece in the third interlude is heavenly! I eagerly wait for it. After debuting in the previous year in Subah Ka Taara, Usha Mangeshkar was chosen again for a couple of wonderful duets in this film.
14. Tum Apni Yaad Bhi – Yasmin (1955) with Talat Mahmood / Lyrics by Jaan Nisar Akhtar
Though the songs of Yasmin are fairly popular, I have just a couple of favourites. Mujhpe Ilzam e Bewafaai Hai was supposed to be in my last post, but I later dropped it to accommodate the film in this part. This soulful, blue mood duet is my most favorite. It’s picturised on Vyjayanti Mala and Suresh.
15. Badali Mein Chhupe Chand Ne – Shatranj (1956) with Hemant Kumar / Lyrics by Rajendra Krishan
Hemant Kumar sang four duets with Lata Mangeshkar under the baton of C Ramchandra. All four are my absolute favourites. I could have added them all if it was possible! An absolutely romantic duet picturised on beautiful Meena Kumari and Ashok Kumar.
16. O Chand Jahan Woh Jaye – Sharda (1957) with Asha Bhosle / Lyrics by Rajendra Krishan
One of the most popular duets by the Mangeshkar sisters and the only duet they sang for C Ramchandra. Lata Mangeshkar sings for the beautiful Meena Kumari while Asha Bhosle sings for the lively and gorgeous Shyama. Both of them have sung it with perfect expressions. Asha Bhosle’s part is more vibrant and Shyama adds her own charm to it. I mainly remember the film for the duet.
17. Phir Wohi Chand – Baarish (1957) with Chitalkar / Lyrics by Rajendra Krishan
The film had a bunch of good songs and Chitalkar himself sang for Dev Anand. The romantic duet is picturised on Nutan and Dev Anand. The song has a typical touch of C Ramchandra. Enjoy the soft and romantic song!
18. Bhool Jaye Sare Gham – Nausherwan e Adil (1957) with Rafi / Lyrics by Parwaiz Shamsi
The movie has a number of beautiful melodies, with solos and duets by Lata Mangeshkar. It was an historical film, by Sohraab Modi, who himself played the title role. Rajkumar played the prince and Mala Sinha his beloved. It’s not usual to find Rajkumar smiling and behaving like a romantic hero. But he played the romantic lead and looked good too. Mala Sinha looks beautiful too. The film had an Irani background and Chitalkar opted for suitable music. A romantic duet, full of Urdu words.
19. Aaj Madhuvatas Dole – Stree (1961) with Mahendra Kapoor / Lyrics by Bharat Vyas
A cute, intense and passionate honeymoon song, with extremely beautiful Hindi words. We get awestruck with the very fine soft words, sung softly like a whisper. I can’t say anything more! Experience it!
It was Lata Mangeshkar’s only duet with Mahendra Kapoor sung for C Ramchandra. But the beautiful melody still made a place on today’s list.
20. Umra Hui Tumse Mile – Bahurani (1963) with Hemant Kumar / Lyrics by Sahir
My most favourite song from this movie. The couple is together for a long time, but they feel as if they never realised they had romantic feelings for each other. She feels the romance in the air and acts like a newly wed bride. He is a bit sentimental, as she has transformed him into a well mannered & groomed person. He feels like he is in an altogether new world with her. Picturised on Guru Dutt & Mala Sinha, I fell in love with this song at the first listen. It’s the only film where Sahir wrote for C Ramchandra.
In this post as well, I tried to restrain myself but still I went upto 20 songs. I’m aware, a lot of beautiful duets are not on the list. Please complete the list by adding your favourites Lata Mangeshkar duets sung for C Ramchandra.
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.