By Jamohan Singh Barhok
On Her Death Anniversary
मैं हर रात जागी कि इस बार शायद
मोहब्बत तुम्हें इस तरफ खींच लाये
तुम्हारी कसम तुम बहुत याद आये
न पूछो ये दिन हमने कैसे बिताए
तुम्हारी कसम तुम बहुत याद आये
A Guinness Book of World Record holder Lata Mangeshkar was born to parents Deenanath Mangeshkar & Shevanti Mangeshkar. Lata’s grandfather was a priest who served at Mangeshi Temple in Goa. I visited the place in early 1970s & twice later with family.
Lata rendered many hits under the music score Shankar Jaikishan starting with Raj Kapoor’s “Barsaat’ (1949) like – “Hawa Mein Udta Jaye”, “Barsaat Mein Humse Mile Tum”, “Jiya Beqarar Hai”, “Mujhe Kisi Se Pyaar Ho Gayaa” followed by hits in “Awara”(1951), Aah” & “Patita” (1953) “Shree 420”, “Seema”, (1955) , “Chori Chori” (1956) & “Sangam” (1965) like- “Ghar Aaya Mera Pardesi”,”Dam Bhar Jo Udhar Munh Phere”, “Kisine Apna Banake Mujhko”, “Mitti Se Khelte Ho Baar Baar Kis Liye”, “Yaad Kiya Dil Ne Kahan Ho Tum, Jhumti Bahar Hai Kahan Ho Tum” & “Baat Baat Me Rutho Na” to mention few including duets “Pyar Hua Iqrar Hua” , “Ramaiya Vastavaiya”,”Jahan Mein Jati Hoon, Wahi Chale Aate Ho”, “Aaja Sanam Madhur Chandni Mein Hum Tum Mile” , “Yeh Raat Bheegi Bheegi, Yeh Mast Fizayen” & last but not the least “Ni Baliye Rut Hai Bahaar Ki, Kuchh Mat Puchho Kaise Bitin” (Kanhaiya-1959) . She also sang some of the finest duets with Manna Dey .
Madan Mohan, composed some of the best numbers for Lata like- “Meri Veena Tum Bin Roye” & “Tu Pyar Kare Ya Thukraye”( Dekh Kabira Roya-1957) “Aap Ki Nazron Ne Samjha” (Anpadh-1962) ,”Lag Jaa Gale” & “Naina Barse Rim Jhim” ( Woh Kaun Thi-1964)), “Woh Chup Rahen To” from ‘Jahan Ara’ (1964) & “Tu Jahan Jahan Chalega”, ‘Mera Saaya Saath Hoga” (1966).
Lata worked under all the leading composers, excepting O. P. Nayyar who instead promoted her younger sister Asha Bhosle.
During the rise of Rajesh Khanna she rendered her voice under the baton R. D. Burman in films like-‘Amar Prem’ (1972), ‘Caravan’ (1971), ‘Kati Patang’ (1971), & ‘Aandhi’ (1975). Many of her songs were penned by Anand Bakshi & Majrooh Sultanpuri.
“Pyar Kiya To Darna Kya” ( Mughal-e-Azam-1960) was composed by Naushad. She also sang under Naushad in most films starring Dilip Kumar- ‘Andaz’ (“Koi Mere Dil Mein”) ‘Deedar’ (1951), ‘Aan’ (1952- “Tujhe Kho Diya Hamne”) ,’Amar'(1954- “Na Milta Gham Tau Barbadi Ke Afsaane Kahan Jaate”) & ‘Kohinoor’ (“Dil Mein Baji Pyar Ki Shehnaiyan”-1960) ,including blockbusters- ‘Baiju Bawra’ (1952), and Mother India (1957).I rate her song मैं हर रात जागी कि इस बार शायद picturized on Minoo Mumtaz as the finest mujra number ever filmed in Hindi cinema.
Lata won Filmfare Award for Best Female Playback Singer under Salil Chowdhury’s “Madhumati”(1958). The film, starring Dilip Kumar & Vyjayanthimala, won 10 Filmfare Awards out of 13 nominations. “Itna Na Mujhse Tu Pyar Badha” was another of her hit duet from “Chhaya” (1961)under the same composer.Kathputli, Anari, Boot Polish, Yahudi,Choti Behan, Shararat, Love Marriage ,Ujala, ,Azad , Aasha, Sangam, Jewel Thief and Talash include some of her other films. Interestingly, most of the above mentioned films are the ones I was lucky enough to watch.
Bestowed with several accolades worldwide including Padma Bhushan(1969 ), Padma Vibhushan (1999), Dadasaheb Phalke Award (1989) & Bharat Ratna (2001)including Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award in 1993. Also won three National Awards as Best Female Playback Singer for ‘Parichay’ -1972,’Kora Kagaz’-1974 & ‘Lekin’ -1990 besides Seven Filmfare Awards. The Awards for Playback Singers started in 1959.Lata had already rendered many hits before that time including many others. Her Song “Aye Mere Wattan Ke Logo” (26 January-1963 penned by Kavi Pradeep) continues to haunt millions.
