On Sept. 28, singer Lata Mangeshkar dubbed the “Nightingale of India,” turned 91, and in honor of the woman who recorded hundreds of songs, Variety selected 20 of our favorite Bollywood melodies. We could have chosen a lot more, such as duets with Hemant Kumar or Mohammed Rafi, but we didn’t want the list to get too long. Mangeshkar began singing professionally at the age of 14 and has had Bollywood actresses lip-sync to her on-screen from the 1940s to the 2000s.
Dilip Kumar once said of her:
“Like the scent of a flower has no color, a flowing stream or fresh winds belong to no country, the smile of an innocent child has no religion, similarly Lata Mangekshar’s voice is a wonder.”
- Laru Lappa Lara Lappa – “Ek Thi Ladki (1949)
- Na Bole Na Bole Re – “Azaad” (1955)
- Man Mohana Bade Jhooth – “Seema” (1955)
- Nain so Nain Nahi Milao – “Jhanak Jhanak Payal Baaje” (1955)
- Rasika Balma – “Chori Chori” (1956)
- Aaja Re Pardesi – “Madhumati” (1958)
- Oh Sajna – “Parakh” (1960)
- Ajeeb Dastan Yeh – Dil Apna aur Preet Parai (1960)
- Allah Tero Naam – Hum Dono (1961)
- Naina Barse Rim Jhim – “Woh Kaun Thi” (1964)
- Tu Jahan Jahan Chalega – “Mera Saaya” (1966)
- Inhi Logon Ne Inhi Logon Ne – “Pakeezah” 1972
- Ek Pyar ka Nagma Hai – “Shor” (1972)
- Raina Beeti Jaaye – “Amar Prem” (1972)
- Bahon Mein Chale Aao – Anamika (1973)
- Tere Bina Zindagi Mein Koi – “Aandhi” (1975)
- Ae Dil-e-Naadaan – (Razia Sultan, 1983)
- Jiya Jale – “Dil Se” (1998)
- Ek Tu Hi Bharosa – “Pukar” (2000)
- Ye galiyan ye chaubara – Prem rog