6th February, 2022, the ‘Nightingale of India’ was silenced forever, plunging an entire nation into mourning. Saying that Lata Mangeshkar was an incarnation of Devi Saraswati herself would be no exaggeration! For the last 8 decades, her soulful voice has held us all in a mesmerized spell – and her towering legacy will no doubt last longer than the next 8! So much has been written about her legendary career – the awards, the anecdotes, the perfection, yes, even the controversies – but for an ordinary listener like me, her songs are literally the soundtrack to my life! Like so many Indians, I delight in finding a Hindi song for every emotion, every mood, every occasion! And in the pre-cable TV era, All India Radio’s Vividh Bharati was a constant companion playing a never-ending stream of music!

Last couple of weeks, whether intentionally or not, most of my playlists have been Lata songs. It is really incredible – how can every note in every song be so perfect? I would be hard-pressed to find a song that sounds like she ‘phoned it in’. And she makes it sound so effortless – her honeyed tones disguising the complexities and intricacies of seemingly simple songs! Inspired by all the tributes pouring in for Lataji, this is my tiny tribute to this giant of the musical world – I wouldn’t inflict my singing on my worst enemy, so in my own way, a ‘Shabdanjali’. So here goes, in no particular order, my personal ‘Best of Lata’!

Aaj kal paon zameen par (Ghar) – This song beautifully captures the flush of first love, the feeling of walking on clouds once you’ve found your special someone. The video shows Rekha and Vinod Mehra, an ordinary couple doing ordinary things – no flashy costumes, exotic locales or convoluted choreography. Lata singing ‘Humne dekha hai do taqdeeron ko judate hue…’ makes you believe in destiny, forevers and meant-to-bes!

Rimjhim gire sawan (Mausam) – The Kishore Kumar version of this song is definitely more popular, but Lata’s version is simply enchanting! While Kishore’s measured version brings to mind a steady downpour, Lata’s version is a playful spring rain – refreshing, intoxicating and energizing! The tumbling alaaps in the middle of the verses are vintage Lata! I especially love the picturization – a lanky Amitabh and a dainty Moushumi simply walking through a Mumbai monsoon, laughing and talking to each other – the simplicity is breathtaking!

Na jiye lage na (Anand) – In an album absolutely studded with gems, this melodious song holds its own through Lata’s vocals soaked with love and belonging. Sumita Sanyal waiting for Amitabh to return home, once again, a very simple picturization – and yet, the deep love and longing shines through. The soaring ‘Piya teri bawari se raha jaye na’ is pure magic!

Humne dekhi hai (Khamoshi) – Lata brings so many layers to this haunting, evocative melody! ‘Pyar ko pyar hi rehne do, koi naam na do’ – a love untouched by worldly burdens, a pure love that is transcendental, when silent lips speak volumes – isn’t that something each of us dreams of? The song plays in the background as Waheeda travels in a taxi, and her expressive face captures the mood of the song perfectly!

Na jaane kyon (Chhoti si Baat) and Rajnigandha phool tumhare (Rajnigandha) I couldn’t pick between these two – both songs from Amol Palekar-Vidya Sinha movies. A far cry from the lofty romances of the Chopra genre with Swiss Alps and chiffon sarees – these songs embody the simple aspirations and dreams of the common man. Na jaane kyon with its melancholic undertones – ‘Saje bina naino mein toote re hai re sapnon ke mahal’ and Rajnigandha’s quiet celebration of togetherness and belonging – ‘Kitna sukh hai bandhan mein’ – Lata brings out both ends of this emotional spectrum in a spectacular fashion!

Yeh kahaan aa gaye hum (Silsila) – Amitabh’s smoldering baritone starting with ‘Main aur meri tanhayee’ and Lata joining in with the sweeping ‘Yeh kahaaaaa…’ – this song is a heady cocktail of intense longing and grand passion! The way Lata lingers on the word ‘mulayam’ in the second stanza – she paints pictures of sultry sunsets, velvety rose petals, candles and violins! Despite the controversy and gossip swirling around this film, Amitabh and Rekha’s palpable chemistry makes this magnificent song even better – forbidden love has never been this intriguing!

Ruk jaa raat (Dil Ek Mandir) – This song always, always leaves me in tears – Meena Kumari, dressed as a new bride to fulfill her dying husband’s last wish, will break your heart. Lata’s voice is drenched in grief, every poignant note an arrow to the heart, and the line ‘Jeevan seema ke aage bhi, aungi main sang tumhare’ – is at once a fierce promise to a soulmate and a stubborn denial of an inevitable parting. Forget tugging at heartstrings – this song will move you to the very depths of your soul!

Tu jahaan jahaan chalega (Mera Saaya) – Another irresistible song of lost love and longing. Lata sings each ‘Mera Saaya’ so lovingly, and with so much emotion. And although this is a love song, I think it also has a very maternal depth to it – ‘Nazar aau ya na aau’, ‘Tu jo mud ke dekh lega’, ‘Tu jahaan jahaan chalega, mera saaya saath hoga’ – surely this is a mother’s eternal love, a mother’s promise of everlasting support? Listening to this song now is even more poignant – Lata’s voice, telling us that she will be with us forever more through her songs!

Luka Chhupi (Rang De Basanti) – What do I say about this song? Lata’s heartfelt appeal in ‘Aaja sanjh hui’, Rahman’s gut-wrenching ‘Yaha sab kuchh hai Ma phir bhi, lage bin tere mujhko akela’, the spell-binding jugalbandi finale – and then add Waheeda’s dignified, stoic acceptance of her son’s sacrifice. I literally have no words. Cue the tears.

And to round off the list, a couple of Marathi favorites:

Gagan Sadan Tejomay (Umbartha) – A beautiful prayer to bring light into our lives. This song is one of my all-time favorites! The final soaring ‘Tejomay’ – it feels like Lata’s voice is reaching up to the heavens and bringing us all closer to the Almighty!

Sarnar kadhi ran – This song describes a glorious page in the history of Shivaji Maharaj and his quest to establish Swaraj. The Battle of Pawankhind – where Baji Prabhu Deshpande and a handful of soldiers held off a huge enemy force, allowing Shivaji Maharaj to escape to the safety of Vishalgad. Baji Prabhu fought on despite being severely wounded, and this song is his exhausted appeal, a cry from his heart – ‘Ajun jalte antar jyoti, kasa sawaru deh pari’.

Sagara pran talamalala – ‘Tari Anglabhoomi bhaybhita re, abala na mazi hi maata re’ – every word of this song is blazing with patriotism and a love for our motherland! Listen on repeat!!

Although picking favorite songs is like diving into an ocean and coming up with pearls, really hard to pick the top 10, 15 or even 50 – I’ve tried to limit this list to songs that are my go-to songs, the ones I often find myself humming. I hope you enjoy them as much as I do – clicking on the song name will take you to a YouTube video of that song.

Happy listening!