Lata Mangeshkar

Bharat Ratna Lata Mangeshkar (??? ???????) (born September 28, 1929) is a popular Indian singer, whose career has spanned over six decades. Although she has worked on non-film songs and has sung in many languages, she is chiefly known as a Bollywood Hindi playback singer.

1950s: Popularity on the rise

The 1950s saw Lata become the favorite singer of composers like Shankar Jaikishan, Sachin Dev Burman, C. Ramchandra, Madan Mohan, and Salil Chowdhury, among others. However, she and composer O. P. Nayyar had great misunderstandings and O. P. Nayyar gave patronage to her sister Asha Bhosle.

Related Topics:
1950 - Shankar Jaikishan - Sachin Dev Burman - C. Ramchandra - Madan Mohan - Salil Chowdhury - O. P. Nayyar - Asha Bhosle

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Composer S D Burman, lyricist Sahir Ludhiyanvi and Lata created many hits together including Tum na jaane kis jahaan mein kho gaye (Sazaa, 1951) and Phaili hui hain sapnon ki baahein (House No. 44). Once when Bollywood musicians decided to go on strike, paralyzing all recording activity, S D Burman said "As long as there is Lata, I am safe". However, in 1957, Lata and S D Burman had a falling out and decided not to work together. They made up later, in 1962.

Related Topics:
S D Burman - Sahir Ludhiyanvi - 1951 - 1957 - 1962

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Lata and composer Hemant Kumar also recorded many hits including Man dole mera tan dole (Nagin, 1954) and Kahin deep jale kahin dil. Many of Lata's popular songs were recorded in the 1940s and early 1950s with the team of composer C. Ramchandra and lyricist Rajendra Krishan. Some of their hits include Dheere se aaja (Albela, 1951), Radha na bole (Azaad, 1955). Lata and Rajendra Krishna also teamed up with the composer Madan Mohan to create various ghazals including Yun hasraton ke daag (Adaalat, (1958), Hum pyaar mein jalne waalon ko (Jailor), Main to tum sang nain mila ke (Manmauji), and Na tum bewafa ho (Ek Kali Muskarai).

Related Topics:
Hemant Kumar - 1954 - 1940s - 1950s - C. Ramchandra - Rajendra Krishan - 1951 - 1955 - Madan Mohan - Ghazal - 1958

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Lata sang some of her best known songs for the team of composers Shankar Jaikishan and lyricists Hasrat Jaipuri and Shailendra. Jiya ekaraar hai (Barsaat, 1949), Rasik Balma (Chori Chori, 1956), the title song of Hariyali Aur Raasta (duet with Mukesh), and Gumnaam hai koi (Gumnaam), all penned by Hasrat, were instant hits. Shailendra's Ajeeb Daastaan hai yeh (Dil Apna Preet Parai), Tum to dil ke taar chhedkar (Roop ki Rani Choron Ka Raja), and Kisi ne apna banake mujhko (Patita) were all popular hits as well. Raj Kapoor always had the team of Shankar-Jaikishan, Hasrat, Shailendra, Mukesh and Lata for the music of his films, many of which were mega musical hits. He was so impressed with Lata's songs that he often remarked that she must be an avatar of the Hindu goddess Saraswati. Lata's romantic duets with the singer Manna Dey for Raj Kapoor's films were immensely popular - Pyaar hua ikraar hua and Yeh raat bheegi bheegi.

Related Topics:
Shankar Jaikishan - Hasrat Jaipuri - Shailendra - 1949 - 1956 - Mukesh - Raj Kapoor - Hindu - Saraswati - Manna Dey

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Shailendra and Lata also teamed up with composer Salil Chowdhury to create music for Bimal Roy movies such as Madhumati (1958) and Parakh (1960). Once, Salil Chowdhury sang an emotional Bengali song at Bimal Roy's request. After the song was finished, he found that Lata had fainted. Later Lata told him - "I was so overcome that I couldn't control myself". Salil once said - "Almost all my songs that require a female voice have been sung by Lata. I've rarely felt the need to turn to someone else". Lata recorded some of her most memorable songs with Salil Chowdhury, including Raaton ke saaye, Chhoti si baat, O Sajna barkha bahaar aayee (Parakh), Aaja re pardesi (Madhumati), and Itna tu mujhse na pyaar badhaa (Chhaya, duet with Talat Mahmood, penned by Rajendra Krishna).

Related Topics:
Shailendra - Salil Chowdhury - Bimal Roy - 1958 - 1960 - Bengali - Talat Mahmood

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Lata met singer actor Kishore Kumar at a Khemchand Prakash's recording under funny circumstances. Lata was going to Khemchand's studio and Kishore was also going to the same place. Lata thought that she is being followed by a man with bad intentions. It was only after reaching the studio that she realized that the man was going to sing a duet with her. Despite this strange introduction, they went on to sing an extraordinary number of duets together. Many people wrongly believe that Lata sang most number of her duets with Rafi. Actually it was Kishore Kumar.

Related Topics:
Kishore Kumar - Rafi

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