R. D. Burman & Lata Mangeshkar Solos – Top 30 Combination Bollywood Songs

R. D. Burman is best noticed for his combination songs with Asha Bhosle and Kishore Kumar. But only a few music lovers have noticed that some of the most memorable solos and classic tunes in Lata Mangeshkar’s career were indeed composed by Pancham da. It’s only a myth that he has given only less number of hit songs to his sister-in-law. The truth is, while he gave party and peppy numbers to Asha Bhosle, he recorded some of the finest melodious tunes of his career in Lata’s voice. I too was forced to change this opinion, while I prepared the list of 100 best songs of R. D, his individual best songs with both Lata and Asha. Scroll down to get the gallery to read some of the best posts on this legendary composer of Bollywood.

Also, I believe some of the finest Lata songs since mid-1970s were composed by R. D. Burman, particularly in the 1980s. In fact Bollywood music was very weak in the era of 1980s, though R. D. stood up tall among all in terms of melodious songs. In this list, I would love to present 30 of the finest solo songs sung by Lata in R. D. Burman composition. I hope, I include majority of your favourite songs in this list, and here we go.

1. Baahom Mein Chali from Anamika – I would like to begin the list by one of the finest compositions of Pancham da sung by Lata Mangeshkar. You can sort their combination songs based on any criteria of your preference. But if you are a diehard Lata fan, you can never miss this song in your playlist. What an amazing tune and what a wonderful rendition! Lyrics penned by Majrooh Sultanpuri also played a magnificent role in making this song such a huge chartbuster. The song was listed at #36 on Binaca Geetmala annual list 1973. The song was filmed on Jaya Bhaduri and Sanjeev Kumar, shot at Sur Mandir, a bungalow owned by S D Burman and the famous swing seen in the song was actually purchased by R. D. Burman for his first wife Rita Patel, who was then separated when the song was shot.

2. Na Jaa O Mere Humdum from Pyar Ka Mausam – As a reader you might be wondering why I listed this song as one among the first songs in my list. I don’t know why I am so much addicted to this sad song featuring Shashi Kapoor and Asha Parekh. Lyrics by Majrooh Sultanpuri, music by Burman and lovely picturization that touches the soul are sufficient to make it one of my most favorite Lata songs ever. Also go through my list of top Shashi Kapoor and Asha Parekh songs. The movie also included one more Lata solo, my top favourite too – Mein Na Miloongi. (I have always loved R. D. Burman’s 1960s tunes most)

3. Kya Janu Sajan from Baharon Ke Sapne – No one can deny the fact that it’s one of the finest solos ever sung by Lata Mangeshkar, in association with any music composer of Bollywood. Though the movie was B&W, this particular dream sequence song featuring the lead pair – Rajesh Khanna and Asha Parekh was filmed in colour. The song was reused in 2002 film, Dil Vil Pyar Pyar, a film which offered tribute to the legendary composer, and was sung by Kavita Krishnamurthy. All the songs were penned by Majrooh Sultanpuri, with whom Pancham da frequently worked throughout 1960s, before the beginning of his long-term association with Anand Bakshi.

4. Aaja Piya Tohe Pyar Doon from Baharon Ke Sapne – The movie is still remembered for two of the best solos sung by Lata Mangeshkar. It’s not easy to point out which one is better. In this song sequence, Rajesh Khanna is seen in a gloomy mood, and Asha Parekh tries to make him happy.

5. Bhai Battur from Padosan – The songs of the film gave initial success to the composer, and it included some lovely songs of Kishore Kumar too. This song was filmed on lovely Saira Bhanu, and Sunil Dutt is also seen in this song. Rajinder Krishan penned the lyrics. The movie included one more melodious Lata solo – Sharm Aati Hai.

6. Sharm Aati Hai from Padosan – This solo track from the movie is too beautiful. The song was filmed on Saira Bhanu and Sunil Dutt, who made an amazing screen pair. Saira is seen nursing Dutt, who had a head injury and love blossoms between the two. Rajinder Krishan penned the lyrics.

7. Na Koi Umang Hai from Katti Patang – It’s the single solo Lata track of the whole album and indeed popular too. The song featured Asha Parekh in a sad mood. Anand Bakshi was nominated for best lyrics at Filmfare awards, and the compositions played a major role in establishing the career of R. D. Burman – Rajesh Khanna – Kishore Kumar trio in Bollywood in the early 1970s.

8. Raina Beeti Jaayi from Amar Prem – The songs of Amar Prem really surprised critics, particularly this track, strongly with classical base. Burman tuned this song in Raga Khamaj and Lata Mangeshkar rendered it brilliant as well. The song is widely regarded as one of the best Lata songs of the decade. All the songs were penned by Anand Bakshi. Definitely, as the title of the film suggests, the songs of Amar Prem will definitely remain immortal in the minds of his fans, and can be tagged under his best 10 works.

9. Bada Nathat Hai from Amar Prem – The song makes us remember yet another popular song of Sharmila Tagore in which she loves her (foster) son, Chanda Hai Tu from Aradhana. The movie also starred Rajesh Khanna in lead role, and can also be connected by many strings to this movie. Quite interestingly Anand Bakshi penned the lyrics of both these Lata Mangeshkar solos, and R. D. Burman completed the recording too.

10. Dilbar Dil Se Pyare from Caravan – Aruna Irani lip-synced to Lata Mangeshkar for this dance number. The song also featured Jeetendra and Asha Parekh. Caravan was one of the major hits of Pancham da’s career, and Majrooh Sultanpuri penned lyrics for all the 8 songs.

11. Mere Nayana from Mehbooba – This touching song based on Raga Shivranjani played an important role in the sequence continuity of the film, and it had solo versions both in Kishore and Lata’s voice. Anand Bakshi penned the lyrics. Hema Malini and Rajesh Khanna appeared in the different versions of the song.

12. Phoolon Ka Taron Ka from Hare Rama Hare Krishna – The song had two versions and both are still popular. Dev Anand’s version was sung by Kishore Kumar and the child version was sung by Lata Mangeshkar. Anand Bakshi wrote the lyrics for all its songs including this heart touching ‘Behna’ song.

13. Bangle Ke Peechhe from Samadhi – The dance number featuring Asha Parekh was penned by Majrooh Sultanpuri. This Kaata Lagaa Song remixed in the 2000s was a huge chartbuster, but drew controversies too. Lata Mangeshkar also remarked about the vulgarity how the song was filmed on a young girl. The movie also included a very popular solo of Lata Mangeshkar – Jab Tak Rahe Tan Mein Jiya.

14. Do Nainon Mein Ansoo Bhare Hai from Khushboo – How can this amazing tune miss our list? This sad song was filmed on Hema Malini. Lyrics were penned by Gulzar, who directed the movie too.

15. Rhim Jhim Gire Sawan from Manzil – R. D composed some of the finest tunes for Amitabh Bachchan in the 1970s and 1980s and recorded them in Kishore Kumar’s voice. This monsoon song has two solo versions sung by Kishore Kumar and Lata Mangeshkar, and Moushumi Chatterjee was featured in both. I loved both versions. Also read: Rain songs of Lata Mangeshkar. Lyrics were penned by Yogesh.

16. Tere Bina Jiya Laage Na from Ghar – The movie starring Rekha and Vinod Mehra is known for some evergreen tunes composed by Burman, and recorded in Lata Mangeshkar and Kishore Kumar’s voice. All the five songs were penned by Gulzar. This particular solo track featuring the lead pair was sung by Lata Mangeshkar, and one of the classic Pancham da tunes ever.

17. Aaj Kal Paon from Ghar – Yet another popular solo sung by Lata Mangeshkar, the song featured the lead pair in a romantic mood. The movie also included popular Kishore Kumar solo, Phir Wohi Raat Hai and the duet, Aap Ki Aankhon Mein Kuchh.

18. Main Hoon Diya Soni from Jal Mahal – This less-heard R. D. Burman tune definitely belongs to my playlist of songs. I heard this one most recently only, and loved its haunting tune and voice. The song was filmed on Rekha and Jeetendra in some ancient palace, definitely a heritage site, but not sure if was pictured in Jal Mahal of Rajasthan as the movie suggests. Its beautiful lyrics were penned by Majrooh Sultanpuri.

19. Aisa Sama from Zameen Aasmaan – This romantic movie is best remembered for one solo of Lata Mangeshkar featuring Sanjay Dutt and Anita Raj, and is definitely one of the best compositions of R. D. Burman in the 1980s. Anjaan penned its beautiful lyrics, which brings thoughts of beautiful seasons of human hearts to our minds.

20. Title track from Agar Tum Na Hote – It was used as the theme song of the movie and used for continuity of the film. The song had solo versions sung by Lata Mangeshkar and Kishore Kumar and their duet version too. Lyrics written by Gulshan Bawra, and Rajesh Khanna and Rekha were featured in different versions of this song.

21. Sawan Ke Jhoole Pade Hai from Jurmana – This Amitabh Bachchan starrer is best known for this beautiful rendition of Lata Mangeshkar. The song penned by Anand Bakshi featured Rakhee Gulzar aside Amitabh. The song had two versions, both sung by Lata. After the success of Kabhi Kabhi, Amitabh and Rakhee worked in a series of movies together, and most of them were successful. For their movies – Jurmana, Kasme Vaade, Bemisal and Barsaat Ki Ek Raat, R. D. Burman composed some wonderful tunes for them. Most of those songs were recorded in the voices of Kishore Kumar and Lata Mangeshkar, though his collaboration with Asha Bhosle was most popular those days.

22. A Ri Pawan Dhunde Kise Tera Mann from Bemisaal – Yet another popular solo of Lata Mangeshkar featuring Amitabh Bachchan and Rakhee. One of the finest tunes in the worst era of Hindi music, Anand Bakshi gave full justice to the song with its lovely lyrics.

23. Apne Pyar Ke Sapne Sach Hue from Barsaat Ki Ek Raat – R. D. Burman composed some nice tunes for Amitabh-Rakhee combination films, and he always tried to include at least one solo of Lata Mangeshkar featuring both. Barsaat Ki Ek Raat too is not an exception. Anand Bakshi wrote songs for most of these cases too.

24. Sili Hawa Choo Gayi from Libaas – The soft songs of the movie composed by Burman are timeless, and done during his low phase of professional career. The movie showcased at several film festivals had a theatric release in India most recently only in 2017. Shabana Azmi, Naseeruddin Shah and Raj Babbar played lead roles in the film based on human relationships. Lyrics were penned its director Gulzar. This Lata solo holds a fragrance of a sweet ghazal, and R. D should be praised for such a lovely composition in an era fully dominated by loud music.

25. Jab Tak Hai Jaan from Sholay – This dance sequence featuring Hema Malini was included in the climax of the blockbuster and was an instant blockbuster. Anand Bakshi penned its lyrics. The phrase was later used to coin the film title of Yash Chopra’s last movie – Jab Tak Hai Jaan starring Shah Rukh Khan and Katrina Kaif.

26. Jaane Kya Baat from Sunny – This Lata Mangeshkar song featuring Amrita Singh too was extremely popular. The song holds a ‘ghazal’ touch and was filmed on Sunny Deol and Amrita Singh.

27. Do Ghoont Mujhe Bhi Pila from Jheel Ke Us Paar – The song is not among the greatest compositions of the composer. But it was an instant hit once got released, and Mumtaz’ dance steps were appreciated. Its tune is unique, and I have not added this song anywhere else. So I included it here. Lyrics were penned by Anand Bakshi as usual. The movie also included a fine solo of Lata, Kah Rahe Hain Yeh Ansoo. But the song was not so popular. The song was directly lifted and copied to a Malayalam film (Avalude Raavukal) by A. T. Ummer and was hugely appreciated.

28. Wadian Mere Daman from Abhilasha – This song had two solo renderings by Rafi and Lata and both featured Nanda and Sanjay Khan. This extremely melodious track composed by Rahul Dev Burman is the greatest claim to fame, and lyrics were penned by Majrooh Sultanpuri. 

29. Jahan Pe Savera Ho Basera Wahin Hai from Baseera – This lovely song was filmed on Sharmilee jodi – Shashi Kapoor and Rakhee Gulzar who did several movies in 1970s and 1980s together. Gulzar penned its beautiful lyrics.

30. Tere Liye Palkon Ki Jhalar from Harjaee – A first night scene, this song was filmed on Tina Munim and Randhir Kapoor. Randhir is seen in a sad mood in the song, while Tina tries to comfort him. Nida Fazli penned the lyrics. The movie had 8 tracks (including two versions of a single song), and only this particular song belongs to Lata. Needless to say, it’s the most beautiful song of the album.

Before I conclude, I would like to mention a few more Lata solo songs of my personal favourite composed by R. D. Burman. I might have missed many songs of the era of 1980s, the era I am not too familiar which. Chanda O Chanda from Lakhon Mein EK, Phoolon Ka Taron Ka from Hare Rama Hare Krishna and Abke Na Sawan Barse from Kinara too are beautiful solos of Lata composed by Pancham da. He also recorded a female version of Kuch Na Kaho from his last movie, 1942: A Love Story in Lata’s voice before he passed away. A big salute to this true legend, whose legacy is to stay alive as long as music is alive in our hearts!

Top 10 picks – My favourites…..

1. Agar Tum Na Hote from Agar Tum Na Hote

2. Baahom Mein Chali from Anamika

3. Na Jaa O Mere Humdum from Pyar Ka Mausam

4. Kya Janu Sajan from Baharon Ke Sapne

5. Aaja Piya from Baharon Ke Sapne

6. Aisa Sama Na Hota from Zameen Asmaan

7. A Ri Pawan Dhunde Kise Tera Mann from Bemisaal

8. Tere Bina Jiya Laage Na from Ghar

9. Sili Hawa Choo Gayi from Libaas

10. Saawan Ke Jhoole from Jurmana

 

Please visit my R. D. Burman page to know more about the musical genius. Here is the page link. Click on the images to read.