

This one, featuring Raj Kapoor and directed by Hrishikesh Mukherjee, falls in the same bracket. But those with Mukesh aren’t far behind, especially because of the usual magnificence of Shankar-Jaikishan. Lata’s countless duets with Mohammad Rafi and Kishore Kumar are some of the finest pieces of music in all of cinema history. The duo came together for some of the most memorable hits in Hindi cinema history, such as the aforementioned Lag jaa gale, but this classical gem, hidden in a laugh-riot movie, is barely remembered.

Lata’s relationship with her ‘ bhaiya’ Madan Mohan is well-documented - she was his favourite singer, and he probably her favourite composer. This composition helps bust a double myth - that neither Meena Kumari nor Lata Mangeshkar can pull off a ‘playful’ number.īairan neend na aaye (Film: Chacha Zindabad, 1959) In the pantheon of Hindi film music composers, Vasant Desai is one who never gets due credit, despite giving us classics like Do Aankhen Barah Haath, Jhanak Jhanak Payal Baje and Guddi. This Shankar-Jaikishan composition in raag Jaijaiwanti is among the shining examples of it, though not very well-known.Īpne saiyaan se naina ladaibe (Film: Ardhangini, 1959) There’s no doubt that among playback singers, male or female, few can match the classical proficiency of Lata. Manmohana bade jhoothe (Film: Seema, 1955) On the day she turns 89, ThePrint digs up some rare gems that deserve to be studded on the queen’s crown. For every Ajeeb daastaan hai yeh and Lag jaa gale, for every Raina beeti jaaye and O sajna barkha bahaar aayi, there are hundreds of songs that have disappeared into obscurity.
