In these pandemic stricken, music bereft times, what can be more joyous than a playlist of 25 golden melodies?
Sukanya Verma curates one for you.
The third of a multi-part special:
Rut Hai Milan Ki, Mela
Music: R D Burman
Lyrics: Majrooh Sultanpuri
Singer: Mohammed Rafi, Lata Mangeshkar
RD delivers some change of pace in the moody, midnight rendezvous of Rut Hai Milan Ki.
Jaane Kyon Log Mohabbat Kiya, Mehboob Ki Mehndi
Music: Laxmikant-Pyarelal
Lyrics: Anand Bakshi
Singer: Lata Mangeshkar
The roots of LP-Anand Bakshi's 1980 chart-topper Sheesha Ho Ya Dil (Aasha) can be found in the mellifluous cynicism of Jaane Kyon Log Mohabbat Kiya Karte Hain.
Bhanwre ki Gunjan, Kal Aaj Aur Kal
Music: Shankar-Jaikishan
Lyrics: Hasrat Jaipuri
Singer: Kishore Kumar
Kishore Kumar's smooth serenade and heart-warming declarations for Randhir Kapoor doting on Babita has our heart kal, aaj and kal.
Koi Hota Jisko Apna, Mere Apne
Music: Salil Chowdhary
Lyrics: Gulzar
Singer: Kishore Kumar
Koi Hota's despondent, brooding solitude is easy to sympathise with, but it's a tough tune to sing. Unless you are the legendary Kishore Kumar, he makes it seem like a walk in the park.
Kitne Din Aankhen Tarsengi, Naya Zamana
Music: S D Burman
Lyrics: Anand Bakshi
Singer: Lata Mangeshkar
Lata Mangeshkar's velvety voice summons a feeling of hope and idealism for SD's flawless composition.
Raat Kali Ek Khwab, Buddha Mil Gaya
Music: R D Burman
Lyrics: Majrooh Sultanpuri
Singer: Kishore Kumar
Majrooh's fanciful imagination, RD's flourishing touch and Kishore Kumar's blissful vocals ensure Raat Kali is an instant classic.
Chanda O Chanda, Lakhon Mein Ek
Music: R D Burman
Lyrics: Anand Bakshi
Singer: Kishore Kumar
Kishoreda's pleasant singing colours this vibrant RD lullaby imbued in sentiment and sympathy.
Hai Re Kanhaiya, Chhoti Bahu
Music: Kalyanji-Anandji
Lyrics: Indeevar
Singer: Kishore Kumar
The many moods and magic of Kishoreda reigned supreme in 1971. His spirited comparison of biological and adoptive mothers is simply another instance of his versatility.
Naach Meri Jaan Phatafat, Main Sundar Hoon
Music: Shankar-Jaikishan
Lyrics: Anand Bakshi
Singer: Kishore Kumar, Asha Bhosle
But the Kishore Kumar ditty that needs all our ardour is the zippy, zingy, zesty Naach Meri Jaan, a parody on jet age trends, which shows the master of whimsy in action before cutting to the comedy's actual hero Mehmood.
