The Lilting Voice of Indian Cinema - Lata Mangeshkar

I'm writing my 100th blog post for 2016... And it happens to be on a legendary Indian voice who has been entertaining us for nearly a 100 years (that a little bit of exaggeration, alright - more like 75 years). She's completed 87 today and is still an extremely active voice behind the stars of Hindi cinema.

Lataji made her filmi debut in 1942 with recording here first song for a Marathi movie. She's been singing for 8 decades and is estimated to have recorded no less than 50,000 songs over these years. I just thought I'd share a flavour with you with one song per decade. So here we go...


1940s
Jiya Beqarar Hai - Barsaat (1949)
Music: Shankar Jaikishan - Lyrics: Hasrat Jaipuri

1950s
Sham Dhale Khidki Tale - Albela (1951) with C.Ramachandra
Music: C.Ramachandra - Lyrics: Rajinder Krishan

1960s
Naina Barse Rim Jhim - Woh Kaun Thi (1964)
Music: Madan Mohan - Lyrics: Raja Mehdi Ali Khan

1970s
Bahon Mein Chale Aao - Anamika (1973)
Music: R D Burman - Lyrics: Majrooh Sultanpuri

1980s
Jab Ham Jawan Honge - Betaab (1983)
Music: R D Burman - Lyrics: Anand Bakshi

1990s
Mere Khwabon Mein Jo Aaye - Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (1995)
Music: Jatin-Lalit - Lyrics: Anand Bakshi

2000s
Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham - Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham (2001)
Music: Jatin-Lalit - Lyrics: Sameer Anjaan

2010s
Laadli - Raunaq (2014) with A.R. Rahman
Music: A.R. Rahman - Lyrics: Kapil Sibal

From going 'Around The World In 14 Songs' to trying to summarize Lataji career in its 8th  decades with as many songs, it definitely falls way short. In this day of digital apps, I need not worry though. You can listen to as much Lata Mangeshkar music as you would love to - thanks to this app I found on the Hindustan Times website - Let Lata Sing.

Do you have a favorite Lata Mangeshkar song? The comments are all yours...