Today, I am going to present 10 of her best duet songs. From the ocean of Lata's songs, it was extremely difficult to pick up 10, I do not claim that these are The Best Duets, since it is very subjective, however in each of these songs, the quality of singing by both the singers is of very high class.
Out of 10 duets, two are with Talat Mahmood while one each with Mukesh, Mohammad Rafi, Kishore Kumar, Asha Bhosale, Geeta Dutt, Hemant Kumar, Manna Dey and Sudhir Phadke. Yes, you will hear a Hindi duet of Lata with Sudhir Phadke!! Hope you would like all these songs.
1) Seene Mein Sulagate Hain Armaan from Tarana (1951), Co-singer: Talat Mahmood, Lyrics: Prem Dhawan, Composer: Anil Biswas
This song, in my view, is the best Hindi duet song ever made. It is picturized on the best on-screen couple of that era - Dilip Kumar and Madhubala. It is said that when Anil Biswas had composed this song, it was supposed to be a male solo song. But Lata heard about the divine composition, she wanted to sing it as well, so she expressed her wish to Anil da and the song was converted into a Duet! But, what a great justice both - Lata and Talat - have done to this song. Anil da must be given due credit for mentoring Talat and Lata. Tarana was a classic example of Anilda's genius as a composer. Particularly note how Lata sings the last stranza viz. "Ek Aisi Aag Lagi Man Mein" and the second line of it "Chup Hoon To Kaleja Jalta Hai", quite brilliant! Enjoy the song.
2) Bade Armanon Se Rakkha Hai Balam Teri Kasam from Malhar (1951), Co-singer: Mukesh, Lyrics: Indeevar, Composer: Roshan
There have been number of Mukesh-Lata songs from Raj Kapoor's films like Aah, Awara, Barsat, etc.; however, I chose to select this song since it is picturized on a new male actor Arjun and Shammi (who has played secondary roles in many films) and it is composed by Roshan. "Malhar" was the only film produced by Mukesh. Roshan had at least 10 Super hit movies against his name viz. "Bawre Nain", "Hum Log", "Naubahar", "Aji Bus Shukriya", "Barsat Ki Ek Raat", "Aarati", "Dil Hi To Hai", "Tajmahal", "Devar" and "Mamta". He was the favorite music composer of Ameen Sayani. He had orchestration like Shankar Jaikishan, Theka like Husnlal-Bhagatram and melody like S. D. Burman. "Na To Karawan Ki Talaash Hai" is still a very popular Kawwali. The peculiarity of this song is the short music pieces in each of the lines. Use of accordion and flute and the rhythm creates a happy mood.
3) Ritu Aaye Ritu Jaaye Papihe from Hamdard (1953), Co-singer: Manna Dey, Lyrics: Prem Dhawan, Composer: Anil Biswas
This is not a song, but a Raag-Mala (series of Raags). It is composed in Raag Sarang, Malhar, Jogiya, Basant Bahar, and few more. Anil Biswas was the first music composer to introduce a Raag-Mala in Hindi films. 13 years later, Laxmikant-Pyarelal composed another Raag Mala in the film "Sau Saal Baad" (1966) in "Ek Ritu Aaye, Ek Ritu Jaaye" sung by Manna Dey and Lata. Another one that comes to my mind is from the Marathi Film "Suvasini" (1961) in which Sudhir Phadke had composed a song comprising of 4 Raags in 4 different stanzas, it was sung by the great Asha Bhosale. The song was "Jiwalaga Kadhi Re Yeshil Tu".
The song being presented today is picturized on Shekhar and Nimmi. As such the duet songs are very difficult since it requires highest level of coordination amongst both the singers, you can imagine how difficult it would be to sing a purely classical duet. But the young Manna Dey and Lata have sung it so effortlessly, they sound so pure and sweet! Listen and appreciate the beauty of the song.
4) Dil Mein Sama Gaye Sajan from Sangdil (1952), Co-singer: Talat Mahmood, Lyrics: Rajendra Krishna, Composer: Sajjad Hussain
In my list of 10 best duets of Lata, there are 2 with Talat (the other one being presented at the start of this blog), which no one can ignore. Such is the finesse of both the singers, lyricists and composers, that one can only salute their work. The song starts with a prelude by Lata in her impeccable style, after which the song picks up its fast rhythm nicely composed with the use of Piano, Violin and rhythm instrument. The fast rhythm lasts until the end. The song is beautified further by very sweetly delivered Harkats by both Lata and Talat. E.g. listen to the Harkats on the word "Sama", "Hawa", etc. In the last stanza, Lata achieves the perfect beat (समेवर येणे). The off-screen chemistry between Dilip Kumar and Madhubala, that apparently started with the 1951 film "Tarana" is very much evident on screen as well, making the song a treat to watch.
5) Aa Mohabbat Ki Basti Basayenge Hum from Fareb (1953), Co-singer: Kishore Kumar, Lyrics: Majrooh Sultanpuri, Composer: Anil Biswas
Kishore Kumar's singing career had started in 1946 at the young age of 17. By 1953, he had sung under number of leading music composers of that time like S. D. Burman, Khemchand Prakash, O. P. Nayyar, Husnlal Bhagatram, etc. In 1953, for the first time, Anil Biswas called him for his film "Fareb", and gave him 2 solos ("Mere Sukh Dukh Ka Sansar" and "Husn Bhi Hai Udas Udas") and 1 duet with Lata. All were skeptical including Lata about whether Kishore Kumar will be able sing such serious songs, but Anil Biswas had full faith in his choice. And Kishore Kumar did not disappoint. Btw, Kishore Kumar was also the main lead actor of the film along with Shakuntala Paranjape! In this particular song, you will experience the magic of Kishore and Lata. Enjoy.
6) Dil Leke Dil Diya Hai Ehsan Kya Kiya Hai from Stage (1951), Co-singer: Mohammad Rafi, Lyrics: Sarshar Sailani, Composer: Husnlal Bhagatram
This is wonderful duet by the two greats - Rafi and Lata. Composed by Husnlal Bhagatram in their typical style using Punjabi Theka. I have written in detail about Husnlal-Bhagatram which you are read here. Husnlal-Bhagatram had composed more than 15 duets for Rafi and Lata viz. "Sun Mere Sajana Re" (Aansoo 1953), "Mahi O Mahi O Dupatta Mera Dai De" (Meena Bazar 1950), "Humein Duniya Ko Dil Ke Dard" (Aadhi Raat 1950), "Zara Tumne Dekha To Pyaar Aa Gaya" (Jal Tarang 1949), "Chhota Sa Fasana Hai Tere Mere Pyaar Ka" (Birha Ki Raat 1950) and so on. All of them are so good that it is difficult to choose one of them. Hope you like this song.
7) Ye Ruki Ruki Hawayein from Daman (1951), Co-singer: Asha Bhosale, Lyrics: Raja Mehdi Ali Khan, Composer: K. Datta (Datta Korgaonkar)
This is the first ever duet for two of the greatest female singers the Hindi Film industry has ever produced! Asha Bhosale sounds so different and raw at the beginning of her career that it was unbelievable to see the magical transformation she brought in her singing over next 50 years. In this song, while Lata sings the sad version, Asha is given the lighter version. Together they sound mesmerizing.
8) Kismat Ka Nahin Dosh Baware from Sajni (1956), Co-singer: Sudhir Phadke, Lyrics: Pt. Narendra Sharma, Composer: Sudhir Phadke
I am sure that many of you would not have thought that Sudhir Phadke would have composed for Hindi films, or even if he would have, he would not have sung a duet with Lata, but guess what, this is true!! You would be surprised to know that Sudhir Phadke has composed for around 10 Hindi films viz. "Gokul" (1946), "Aage Badho" (1947), "Malti Madhav" (1951), "Murliwala" (1951), "Pehli Taarikh" (1954), "Ratna Ghar" (1954), "Sajni" (1956), "Gokul Ka Chor" (1959), "Bhabhi Ki Chudiya" (1961), "Pyar Ki Jeet" (1962) and "Veer Savarkar" (2001). This particular song is a male voice prominent song, Lata joins Sudhir Phadke only for singing the Mukhada yet she creates a wonderful impact. Enjoy this extremely rare song.
Here is another surprise - please listen below to the short audio commentary (32 seconds only) about the song. Hope you will like this too.
Sajni Song Audio Commentary:
9) Ankhiyan Bhool Gayi Hai Sona from Gunj Uthi Shehnai (1959), Co-singer: Geeta Dutt, Lyrics: Bharat Vyas, Composer: Vasant Desai
This one again is a rare song in the sense that there are not many duets of Lata Mangeshkar and Geeta Dutt. Composer Vasant Desai is known for his music for the films such as "Dahej" (1950), "Jhanak Jhanak Payal Baje" (1955), "Toofan Aur Diya" (1956), "Do Aankhen Barah Haath" (1957) and "Guddi" (1971); however, "Gunj Uthi Shehnai" happens to be his best and most popular film. The song being presented here was picturized on Ameeta (female lead) and Jeevankala (her friend). Geeta Dutt sings for Jeevankala while Lata sings for Ameeta. In this song, Geeta Dutt matches Lata's golden voice with her spontaneity. Listen carefully to Geeta Dutt's delivery of words like 'Sona', 'Jaadutona', etc. Amazing voice throw!
"Gunj Uthi Shehnai" story was written by well-known Marathi poet G. D. Madgulkar. Surprisingly, Prem Dhawan - who was a famour Hindi Film lyricist - has choreographed this movie and also played a small role in the movie. The legendary Ustad Bismillah Khan's shehnai is a treat for the ears. Enjoy the song.
This is the last song in this part. There have been so many great duets by Lata and Hemant Kumar; however, the reason I chose this one is because it is different - it has Sunil Dutt and Meena Kumari in the lead - a rare combination. Secondly, Hemant Kumar has amply used mouthorgan which as per my knowledge very few music directors like S. D. Burman, R. D. Burman have done. Thirdly, you will see a double bicycle in the song, which must have been a rare view in 1950's. And lastly, you don't see many happy songs of Meena Kumari :-). Lata's sharp voice compliments nicely with Hemant Da's low pitch haunting voice.
That was Lata Mangeshkar for you! Hope you liked all the songs. Do leave a comment please. Thank you and have a great time.
