Lata Mangeshkar, the award-winning playback singer popularly known as the ‘Nightingale of India’, died on Sunday morning in Mumbai’s Breach Candy Hospital due to multiple organ failure at the age of 92.
The celebrated singer began her musical journey in the 1940s as a 13-year-old, entering the film industry as her family’s sole breadwinner. In a career spanning over seven decades, she recorded several songs for over a thousand Hindi films, and sang in other languages too, including Marathi, Bengali, Tamil, Telugu, and Malayalam.
Known as the ‘Melody Queen of India‘, Mangeshkar received the Padma Bhushan in 1969, followed by the Dadasaheb Phalke award in 1989 for her contributions to Indian cinema, and the Padma Vibhushan in 1999. She was also bestowed with the Bharat Ratna, the highest civilian honour of India, in 2001.
Remembering Mangeshkar, Silverscreen India has curated some of her most memorable songs. We bring you the melodies that she sang with her sister Asha Bhosle, songs dedicated to mothers, and patriotic songs about India which are played every year on January 26 and August 15.
Lata-Asha Duets
Despite several rumours of fierce sibling rivalry between the two sisters, they sang around 50-55 songs together during the 1960s. Here are five Asha-Lata duets hand-picked by us.
Kya Hua, Yeh Mujhe Kya Hua from Jis Desh Mein Gangta Behti Hai (1960)
Mann Kyun Behka Ri Behka Aadhi Raat Ko from Utsav (1985)
Paake Akeli Mohe Chhed Raaha from Jail Yatra (1981)
Jab Jab Tumhe Bhulaya Tum Aur Yaad Aaye from Jahan Ara (1964)
Hamare Gaon Koi Aayega from Professor (1962)
Patriotic Songs
Mangeshkar’s first patriotic song was Aye Mere Watan Ke Logon, which she sang in the presence of Jawaharlal Nehru in 1963. The song was dedicated to the soldiers who lost their lives in the 1962 Sino-Indian war. According to News18, when Mangeshkar sang Aye Mere Watan Ke Logo at the National Stadium on January 27, 1963, in the presence of the former PM, his eyes had welled up.
She went on to sing several patriotic songs throughout her career. Her last recorded song was Saugandh Mujhe Is Mitti Ki in 2019, which was a tribute to the Indian army and the nation.
Aye Mere Watan Ke Logon (1963)
Mere Rang De Basanti Chola from Shaheed (1965)
Jo Samar Mein Ho Gaye Amar (1971)
Aisa Desh Hain Mera from Veer Zara (2004)
Maa Tuhjhe Salaam (1997)
Songs Dedicated to Mothers
Mangeshkar sang in various genres for several kinds of films throughout her career. Some of her most special numbers, however, are the soulful songs dedicated to mothers that are immortalised in her voice. Here are five such memorable songs.
Tu Kitni Achhi Hain from Raja Aur Runk (1968)
Luka Chuppi from Rang De Basanti (2006)
Chanda Hain Tu Mera Suraj Hain Tu from Aradhana (1969)
Bada Natkhat Hain from Amar Prem (1972)
Maine Maa Ko Dekha Hain from Mastana (1970)
