Top 15 Bollywood solo hits of Lata Mangeshkar tuned by S. D. Burman

Lata Mangeshkar – no doubt, the most celebrated and talented female voice of Indian cinema. During her peak years of 1950s-1960s, there were many composers who specially created tunes, mostly based on semi-classical, for Lata, and made her sing both simple and difficult tunes. One such great composer was S. D. Burman who took great efforts to specially promote the talent of Lata Mangeshkar. Who knew then, his one and only son is to marry her younger sister a few years after he is gone!

For him, Lata was his ultimate voice. He felt there was nobody like Lata. He just wanted a harmonium and Lata to create a new piece of music, something fresh and special. But these two legends had a personal drift for one particular comment made by S. D. Burman. They didn’t even talk for 4 long years during the golden era. But slowly they realized, they need each other and they forgot the ego to work together to give many evergreen hits in the 1960s and 1970s. I have earlier published Top 30 Lata songs composed by S. D. Burman, and 10 of her best duets composed by him. Have a look please. Here I shall try to find 15 of the best Lata solos composed by Burman. Believe me, solos excel in quality compared with duets. Here I have sorted them in alphabetic order.

1. Aaj Phir Jeene Ki from Guide – 1965, Lyricist: Shailendra

Let us begin this list with this positive song which gives us new reason to live. The song was filmed on Waheeda Rehman and Dev Anand. S. D. Burman worked for yet another movie of this popular screen pair – Prem Pujari in 1970. Though the movie flopped at box office, songs were well received.

2. Ab To Hai Tumse Har Khushi Apni from Abhimaan – 1973, Lyricist: Majrooh Sultanpuri

The movie included 7 finest tracks, and Lata Mangeshkar’s voice was used for 6 of them, except for a Kishore Kumar solo. Three of them are awesome solos recorded in Lata’s voice, not easy to say which one is best. Nadiya Kinare and Piya Bina are rest two Lata solos. This particular song was paired on Mrs & Mr. Bachchan, and the film was released soon after their real life marriage.

3. Chand Phir Nikala from Paying Guest– 1957, Lyricist: Majrooh Sultanpuri

This sad solo was pictured on beautiful Nutan, and one of the best songs of Lata Mangeshkar of 1950s. The song is based on Hindustani Raga Shudh Kalyan and definitely one of the master tunes of S. D. Burman ever. 

4. Chanda Hai Tu from Aradhana – 1969, Lyricist: Anand Baskhi

This particular solo filmed on Sharmila Tagore is really nostalgic for me, and hence one of my top favourite Lata songs ever. Check details here. Let me add an interesting fact, man reached ‘Chanda’ exactly the same year when the movie and the song got released – 1969; now just turned 50 years! Also read: Aradhana completed 50 years in 2019.

5. Chupke Chupke from Chupke Chupke – 1975, Lyricist: Anand Bakshi

The song appears twice in the movie. The first time in the opening credits of the movie and second version was filmed on Jaya Bhaduri, who played supporting role in the movie. The movie also included one more very popular Lata solo filmed on Sharmila Tagore and Om Prakash – Ab Ke Sajan Sawan Mein.

6. Hothon Mein Aisi Baat from Jewel Thief – 1965, Lyricist: Majrooh Sultanpuri

The director Vijay Anand wanted Vyjayanthimala to thoroughly practise the dance steps before actual shooting. But she was never shown up for rehearsals as she never felt the need of it, though she made reasons that she will practise with its choreographer Saroj Khan. Though the director was not fully satisfied with its output, as an excellent dancer Vyjayanthimala had given the best. The actress too didn’t share a good rapport with its director throughout the film shooting, which Vijay Anand has received from his other heroines.

The movie was first one of this kind where directors started to put a song before the climax, thus becoming a trendsetter. When the movie had a sequel after 28 years, only the hero and villain featured in it, and the movie was not a commercial hit. Rafi’s voice was also used for this song.

7. Khilte Hain Gul Yahan from Sharmeelee – 1965, Lyricist: Neeraj

The song had two solo versions in Kishore Kumar and Lata Mangeshkar’s voices, of which male version was more popular. However I love both versions, which are unique in their own means. Both versions were filmed on Shashi Kapoor and Rakhee Gulzar. While Shashi Kapoor version is extremely romantic, Rakhee’s version appears to a part of medical treatment for Shashi, where she pretends her twin sister whom her husband Shashi really loves.

8. Kitni Akeli from Talaash – 1969, Lyricist: Majrooh Sultanpuri

R. D. Burman composed music two of the major works of Sharmila Tagore in year 1969. First one was her career best and most successful film, Aradhana, and second one, perhaps the most expensive film of her career – Talaash. Songs of both these films were well received. This intense love song is seen played on a record, and featured Rajendra Kumar aside Sharmila Tagore, who is seen very much discomfort in her lonely presence.

9. Megha Chhaye Aadhi Raat from Sharmeelee – 1971, Lyricist: Neeraj

It’s a sad song featuring Rakhee Gulzar. A few misunderstandings happen between the lead characters leading to separation, and this song was used in one such situations.

10. Mora Gora Ang Laile from Bandini – 1963, Lyricist: Gulzar

One of the early noticed works of Gulzar as a lyricist, the song was filmed on Nutan, who played a girl of dark complexion in this movie. She asks fair complexion through the song. The movie was also highly acclaimed for its social theme.

11. Piya Bina Piya Bina from Abhimaan – 1973, Lyricist: Majrooh Sultanpuri

Jaya Badhuri appears as a radio artist in this song. After Guide, S. D. Burman received Filmfare award for best composer for this movie, and both these works shared some amazing works of Lata Mangeshkar, especially solos.

12. Piya Toh Se from Guide – 1965, Lyricist: Shailendra

The 8-minute length song depicting both Holi and Diwali also featured Indian classical instruments like North Eastern Drums, Harmonium, Sarangi, Tabla and the very special Ghungroos. Tabla was played by Santoor artist Pandit Shivkumar Sharma, who used to be a tabla artist those days. This song is based on Raga Khamaj, and Burman used Roopak Taal (7 Beats) which has always remained his favourite.

13. Rangeela Re from Prem Pujari – 1970, Lyricist: Neeraj

In this particular song Waheeda Rehman dances in a drunken condition to this heart-breaking song in a social party in front of Dev Anand, due to some misunderstandings. Neeraj frequently worked with S. D. Burman in the 1970s, and Prem Pujari is one such movie. Though the movie was a flop, its songs are evergreen.

14. Rulake Gaya Sapna from Jewel Thief – 1967, Lyricist: Shailendra

The movie was a huge hit, and so are the songs composed by Burman. This particular track was filmed on Vyjayanthimala.

15. Yeh Meri Zindagi from Ziddi – 1964, Lyricist: Hasrat Jaipuri

In this particular song Asha Parekh pretends to be a drunkard on the occasion of her engagement with Joy Mukherjee, giving embarrassment to everyone present there. In an era of tear jerking social dramas, the heroine breaks all stereotypes and expresses herself to be a free girl who loves to do what she wants. Hasrat Jaipuri’s lyrics provide best support to this thought, which quite matches the film situation. Alongside Tere Ghar Ke Samne, Ziddi is one of the very rare works of the lyricist with Burman da, who predominantly works with the celebrated composer duo, Shankar-Jaikishen.

A few more Lata solos composed by S. D. Burman

1. Ab Ke Sajan from Chupke Chupke

2. Phaili Hui Hai Sapnon Ke from House No: 44

3. Mose Chal from Guide

4. Raat Ka Sama from Ziddi

5. Tum Na Jaane Kis Jahaan from Sazaa

6. Thandi Hawayein from Nav Jawan

7. Nadiya Kinare from Abhimaan

8. Meine Kaha Phoolon Se from Mili

9. Jaise Raadhaa Ne Mala from Tere Mere Sapne

10. Tere Khayalon Mein from Meri Surat Teri Aankhen

11. Sun Ri Pawan from Anurag

12. Dil Kaanto Mein Uljahaya Hai from Barood

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.