In 1989, a marathi dainik had asked some prominent film personalities to provide
with a list of 10 best Lata Mangeshkar songs according to them. On my recent
visit to home, at Vadodara; I brought it for RMIM.
Here is what Talat Mehmood, Manna De, Anil Biswas etc. have to say about Lata's
top 10! (My comment appears marked as 'SNEHAL'.)
Late Chitragupta (Music Director): 1. Dhire Se Aaja Ri - Albela (C. Ramchandra) 2. Kaare Kaare Baadara - Bhabhi (Chitragupta) 3. Tum Kya Jaano - Shin Shina Ki Bublabu (C. Ramchandra) 4. Tadpaoge, Tadapa Lo - Barakha (Chitragupta) 5. Rasik Balama - Chori Chori (Jaikishan) 6. Rang Dil Ki Dhadakan - Patang (Chitragupta) 7. Aja Re Pardesi - Madhumati (Salil Chowdhury) 8. Muskurao Ke Ji Nahi Lagata - Kangan (Chitragupta) 9. Sansaar Se Bhage Firate Ho - Chitralekha (Roshan) 10. Hae Re Tere Chanchal - Unche Log (?)
Talat Mehmood: 1. Sapana Ban Saajan Aae - Shokhiyan (Jamal Sen) 2. Tum Na Jaane - Saja (S B Burmon) 3. Is Dil Ki Halat - Anhoni (Roshan) 4. Mukh Mod Na Dena - Aashiana (Madan Mohan) 5. Prit Ye Kaisi Bol Ri - Daag (Shankar) 6. Wo To Chale Gaye - Sangdil (Sajjad Hussain) 7. Bahar Aai Khili - Alif Laila (Pt. Shyamsundar) 8. Mitti Se Khelate Ho - Patita (Jaikishan) 9. Kaare Badara Tu Na Ja - Shiakast (Shankar) 10. Aja Re Paradesi - Madhumati (Salil Chowdhury)
Anil Biswas: 1. Tumhare Bulane Ko - Ladli 2. Badali Teri Nazar - Badi Bahu 3. Aankhon Me Chitt Chor Samae - Mehmaan 4. Man Me Kisi Ki - Aaram 5. Mere Pyar Me - Maan 6. Allah Bhi Hai - Maan 7. Beimaan Tore Nainva - Tarana 8. Ik Pal Ruk Jana - Rahi 9. Ruth Ke Tumto - Jalati Nishani 10. Ja Mai Tose - Sautela Bhai SNEHAL> Anil Biswas has given top-10 Lata songs; from what is composed by himself.
Kamini Kaushanl (Actress): 1. Chanda Re - Jiddi (Khem Chand Prakash) 2. Chanda Ki Chandani - Punam (Shankar) 3. Ye Raat Ye Chandani - Jaal (S D Burmon) 4. Uthae Ja Unke Sitam - Andaz (Naushad) 5. Mohe Bhul Gae - Baiju Bawara (do) 6. Mera Dil Ye Pukare - Naagin (Hemant Kumar) 7. Tum Na Jane - Saja (SDB) 8. Thandi Hawaen - Naujawan (SDB) 9. Chhed Gayo Mohe - Zanzar (C. Ramchandra) SNEHAL> -- #10 Missing --- :-(
Nalini Jaivant (Actress): 1. Dekho Ji Mora - Naubahar (Roshan) 2. Yaad Rakhana - Anokha Pyar (Anil Biswas) 3. Zil Mil Sitaron - Naaz (Anil Biswas) 4. Wo Paas Aa Rahe Hain - Samadhhi (C. Ramchandra) 5. Jivan Ke Safar Me - Munimjee (SDB) 6. Thandi Hawaen - Naujawan (SDB) 7. Hai Kahin Par - Aandhiyan (Ust. Ali Akabar Khan) 8. Chal Diya - Fifty Fifty (Madan Mohan) 9. Mushkil Hai Bahut - Mahal (Khem Chand Prakash)
Meena Kapoor (Singer): 1. Allah Tero Naam - Ham Dono (Jaidev) 2. Jyoti Kalash - Bhabhi Ki Chidiyan (Sudhir Fadake) 3. Jeevan Dor Tum Hi Sang - Sati Savitri (Laxmikant Pyarelal) 4. Piya Tose Naina - Guide (SDB) 5. Tu Jahan Jahan Chalega - Mera Saya (Madan Mohan) 6. Tum Kahan Ho - Naaz (Anil Biswas) 7. Na Koi Umang Hai - Kati Patang (SDB) 8. Kahin Dip Jale - Bis Sal Baad (Hemant Kumar) 9. Kaise Din Bite - Anuradha (Pt. Ravishankar) 10. Jo Tum Chhodo Piya - Zanak Zanak Payal Baje (Vasant Desai)
- Manna De: 1. Khwab Me Koi - Razia Sultan (Khaiyyam) 2. Aaj Fir Jine - Guide (SDB) 3. Naina Barase - Woh Kaun Thi (Madan Mohan) 4. Rahen Na Rahen Ham - Mamata (Roshan) 5. Ai Dilruba - Rustam Sohraab (Sajjad Hissain) 6. Allah Tero - Ham Dono (Jaidev) 7. Rasik Balama - Chori Chori (Jaikishan) 8. Dhire Se Aja - Albela (C. Ramchandra) 9. Hae Re Wo Din - Anuradha (Pt. Ravishankar) 10. Ishwar Satya Hai - Satyam Shivam Sundaram (Laxmikant Pyarelal)
That ends all the list. The most contrasting list according to me is from Meena Kapoor with some strange choices. (This is just a thought on that; and is not anything against her). Also her spectrum spans only 15 years. On the other hand Manna De, has chosen songs from 1951-1983 period; and with evenly distributed on time axis! The two best sets from above are from Talat and Nalini Jaivant. I am not considering Anil Biswas's list; as it's not top 10 Lata songs in reality; for the reason cited above, along with the list. (Although, the 10 songs he has listed are probably fine among his songs; as he has not given overall list). Hope you will like these lists.... Cheers, Snehal