September 28th – The birthday of Lata Mangeshkar …. the woman with the golden voice.The first lady of Hindi film Music. For me, the last of the All India Radio generation , the lady and her music was a constant companion when I was growing up. Although in later years – i would think post the late 1980’s- her voice has lost much of the sweetness and melody, her body of work prior to that stands as testimony of her talent. On her birthday, I am going to take on a difficult task – the task of compiling my personal favourites sung by her. This is in no particular order of prefernce – just stuff that i enjoy listening to … the list will be divided into my favourite solo numbers & duets. Today is the list of the favourite solo numbers.

Barsaat Mein Humse Mile Tum Sajan – the all time classic. Lata and a chorus sing probably my favourite ‘falling in love’ song. hailendra[/tag]’s lyrics are mind blowing ‘aaj mein tumhari huvi, tum mere sajan… tum mere sajan” and Shankar Jaikishen’s music a herald of forthcoming greatness

Jago Mohan Pyare – from Jagte Raho – the sweetness and compassion in Lata’s voice, perfect with the melody by Salil Choudharyand lyrics by Prem Dhawan. This was the last time Nargis and Raj Kapoor appeared on screen together. And the song is even more poignant for that.

Vande Mataram – from the film Ananda Math – Music by Hemant Kumar, Lyrics by Bankim Chandra Chaterjee. The ultimate call to battle song. Fight for this country, it is yours and so beautiful….And Lata’s rendition of this song makes it my favourite. It nudges out other ‘patriotic’ numbers like Ay Mere Vatan ke Logon…..

Jadugar Saaiya – from the filmNagin – a sweet love song, where the woman implores her lover to let her go as it is getting late. Hemant Kumar, Shailendra and Lata once again create magic.Saaware Saaware – from the film Anuradha. Music by Ravi Shankar and a breathless pace that transverses scale. Lata’s complete mastery of Raga’s and melodies comes to the forefront in this song.

Dua Kar Ghame Dil, Khuda se Duva Kar – from Anarkali. In a film full of great songs, including the popular ‘yeh zindagi usi ki hai’ – this song is my personal favourite. You can hear the duva in the voice.

Ajeeb Dastan Hai Yeh – the film Dil Apna aur Preet Paraya – music by Shankar Jai Kishen, and the song filmed on Meena Kumari – with appropriate close ups of Raj Kumar and Nadira.

Aaj Phir Jeene ki Tamana Hai – the film Guide – A celebration of life. Picturised on Waheeda Rehman – a truly feminist song before the term feminist became popular in India

Kahi Deep Jale Kahi Dil – Music Director Madan Mohan, lyrics by Raja Mehdi Ali Khan and a truly eerie number. For me, it works better as a ‘haunted’ song than Ayega Aanewal from Mahaland Aajare Pardesi from Madhumati.

Mora Gora Ang Laile – in my list of the most erotic songs in Hindi films ever. Lyrics by a very young  Gulzar and music by Sachin Dev Burman

Nainon Mein Badra Chaaye – Film : Mera Sayaa Lata &  Madan Mohan – and an incredible semi classical composition. A superb rain song….

Choti, Choti si Baat — Film Choti Si Baat – music Salil Choudhary, lyrics Yogesh. A wistful song …Najane Kyon… hota hai yeh zindagi ke saath … achanak yeh dil .. .kissi ke jaane ke baad … kare phir uski yaad… choti choti si baat….na jane kyon…

Rajnigandha Phool Tumhare — Film Rajnigandha, Salil Choudhary, Yogesh and Lata Mangeshkar get together to create magic.

Mausam hai Ashiqana – superb wistfulness and longing in this song from Pakeezah. I personally prefer this song to the more popular ‘chalte chalte’ or ‘inhi logone’

Na Jiya Lage Na – Film Anand – Salil Choudhary, Gulzar and Lata Mangeshkar. A great combination of melody, lyrics and voice.

Doondho Re Doondho – Film Ganga Jamuna – music [tag]Naushad[/tag] lyrics, Shakeel Badauni[/tag]. The song picturised an ethereal looking [tag]Vyjanti Mala[/tag] singing about the joys of ‘suhaag raat’ with [tag]Dilip Kumar[/tag]

Raaton Ke Saaye Ghane– Film Annadata – music Salil Choudhary. I haven’t seen the film but it has a powerhouse of a sound track.

Ja Ja Re Jaa, Balamva – Film Basant Bahar. I can’t remember too much about the film except that it stars Bharat Bhushan and everyone dies . But the sound track on this is amazing, so is this song.

Bada Natkhat Hai Yeh – Film Amar Prem – filmed on Sharmila Tagore. the film also starred Rajesh Khanna. Music R.D.Burman, lyrics Anand Bakshi. The film also had the other wonderful Lata solo – Raina Beeth Jaaye….

Which are yours.?