Lata Mangeshkar sings for Madan Mohan. Review on Madan Mohan

Madan Mohan was one of the great music directors of the Hindi film industry. Madan Mohan was born in Baghdad in Iraq on June 25, 1924. He started his musical career assisting legends like Shyam Sundar and Sachin Dev Burman. In 1950, he got his first break as a music director in the film Aankhen. From 1950 till his death in 1975, he created unforgettable melodies and enriched the music of Bollywood. Even after his death his contributions enthralled Hindi film lovers. Mausam and Laila Majnu were released after his death. Nearly 30 years after his death, his unused tunes were used by Yash Chopra in Veer Zaara.

Madan Mohan worked with all the singers of his time. But his relation with the Goddess of Hindi music Lata Mangeshkar was special. Lata and Madan were a great team and their songs remain in the hearts of music lovers and will never be forgotten. Lata Mangeshkar always had a special affection for her Madan bhaiyya and rated him as her favourite music director. She called him 'Ghazal ke Shehzada' (Prince of Ghazals).

Here are some of the timeless classics of the Madan Mohan-Lata Mangeshkar combination:

Aap Ki Nazron Ne Samjha Pyaar Ki Kaabil Mujhe from Anpadh is a divine song. An interesting story about this song was this had a different tune, but at the last minute the director said he didn't like the tune and it was changed just before recording.

Woh Kaun Thi was a superhit movie that had some gems, including my Lata-Madan favourite Lag Ja Gale Ke Phir Se Haseen Raat , the film also had another super hit Naina Barse Rimjhim Rimjhim

Woh Bhooli Dastaan Phir Yaad Aa gaye from Sanjog is another haunting melody and another of my favourites.

Some other great songs by this great duo include:

Na Tum Bewafa Ho, Na Hum Bewafa from Hain Ek Kali Muskaye

Teri Aankhon Ke Siva from Chirag, this song has a male version sung by Rafi also.

Milo Na Tum to Ham Ghabrayen from Heer Ranjha

Ek Manzil Rahi Do, a duet with Mukesh from Sanjog

Zara Si Aahat Hoti Hai To Dil Soch ta Hain from Haqeeqat

Hum Pyaar Me Jalne Walon ko Chain Kaha from Heer-Ranjha

The classic Tu Jahan Jahan Chalega Mera Saaya Saath Hoga from Mera Saya

Jo Humne Apne Dastan Sunaye Aap Ko from Woh Kaun Thi

Bhaiyya Na Daron from Dastak

and many many more.....

Madan Mohan is not with us today, but his music will be remembered for ever. And the songs he composed for Lata Mangeshkar are immortal and are the gems in Lata's crown.

The great O P Nayyar (who never ever used Lata's voice) once said, "I don't know if Lata's voice was suited for Madan's music or Madan's music was suited for Lata's voice, but the Lata Mangeshkar and Madan Mohan is unparalleled in the Hindi film music".