The melody queen of Bollywood – Lata Mangeshkar is best in her solo numbers than her duets. Either romance or melodrama, Lata gave new definitions to soulful melodies of Bollywood. She has given some excellent rain songs to Bollywood music lovers, especially solo ones. A few may not directly include ‘rain’ in its song picturization and give symbolic representation only, but definitely give the illusion of rain, either as real monsoon or pouring of emotions through eyes. Let me try to list a few of her most memorable rain songs. Also read: Rain songs in female voices.
Nayana Barse Rhimjhim Rhimjhim of Woh Kaun Thi – As I told above, here rain is only symbolic. But it’s one of the most beautiful expressions of love, sorrows and parting. I should say this Madan Mohan composition is my most favourite Lata song and I might have listened to it more than a thousand times, and definitely one of the most expressive songs sung by Lata. Its intensity in emotions is still loved by millions of Lata Mangeshkar fans across the world, even after 50 years! Its lovely lyrics were penned by Raja Mehdi Ali Khan.
Nayanom mein Badra Jhaaye of Mera Saaya – This expressive song too belongs to the same genre of Lata Mangeshkar songs, and is yet another amazing romantic number of Sadhana-Lata Mangeshkar-Madan Mohan- Raja Mehdi Ali Khan combination. Like the melodious song of Woh Kaun Thi, this particular song too expresses rain, thunder and lightning through one’s eyes.
Oh Sajna of Parakh – One of the lovely picks of rain songs of 1950s, it’s yet another amazing song of Sadhana-Lata Mangeshkar combination. The music penned by Shailendra was composed by Salil Choudhary.
Oh Khata Sawari of Abhinetri – Now let me fast forward and come to the era of 1970s. This lovely rain song was pictured on the dream girl of Bollywood – Hema Malini. Though the movie was not a major hit at box office, it’s one of the best solo songs pictured on Hema Malini.
Saawan ke Jhoole of Jhurmana – This monsoon was pictured on Amitabh Bachchan and Rakhi Gulzar, and belongs to 1979 movie, Jhurmana. The lyrics were written by Anand Bakshi and music composed by R. D. Burman.
Kajre Badarwa Re of Pati Patni – The movie was released in 1966, and songs composed by R. D. Burman went unnoticed. Pancham da was only a newcomer then. Pati Patni was the first association of the composer with Anand Bakshi, and they together worked for 98 movies later (Just fell short of a century by one film). This rain song was filmed on Nanda.
Mere Khwabon Mein Jo Aaye of Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge – Can anyone easily forget this Lata song filmed on Kajol? Though only the second half of the song was filmed in rain, it definitely finds a place in my list. The song also had SRK and Farida Jalal in glimpses. It fully belongs to Kajol, and she looks fabulous drenched in the rain in her short white dress. Jatin-Lalit composed the tune, and Anand Bakshi poured the lyrics like a thunderous rainfall.
Geela Geela Pani of Satya – A lovely song of 1990s from the movie Satya pictured on Urmila Matondkar is a lovely expression of love and romance. The movie is also regarded as a cult classic of the era, and an amazing combination of Gulzar-Vishal Bhardwaj magic.
Paani Paani Re of Machis – I am not sure if this song can be added to the list. Yet it’s a lovely song, and one of Lata’s best in the era of 1990s. Gulzar, the director of the film penned the song lyrics, and the tune was composed by Vishal Bhardwaj, who was new to the industry with a very few less-known works.
Hay Hay Yeh Majboori of Roti Kapada Aur Makaan – This lovely rain song of 1970s was pictured on Zeenat Aman and Manoj Kumar, and was a chartbuster. The music was composed by Laxmikant-Pyarelal and written by Verma Malik.
Rhim Jhim Gire Saawan of Manzil – The song had two versions sung by Kishore Kumar and Lata Mangeshkar, and both turned to be huge chartbusters. This evergreen song was composed by R. D. Burman, and lyrics penned by Yogesh. Lead actors fully drenched in rain, it’s one of the finest filmed rain song on silver screen, without adding any vulgarity factor.
Raamaa Raamaa Gajab Hui Gavaa Re of Naya Zamana – One of the beautiful rain songs composed by S. D. Burman, this rain song of Lata featured Hema Malini and Dharmendra. Aghajani Kashmeri wrote its beautiful lyrics.
I have added a few of my favourite songs that came to my mind, where rain plays the role of main song theme. I am sure I have missed many of such wonderful solo songs of Lata, and would like to expand the list. Please let me know if you know any song belonging to this category.
Read Top romantic rain songs of Bollywood
Read Top Lata Mangeshkar-Madan Mohan Melodies
Go through the gallery links to read some of the posts of country’s beloved and the celebrated female voice of Hindi cinema – Lata Mangeshkar. Here is the page link. Click on the images to read.
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