Lata Mangeshkar's rare New Year songs that are a must visit

Lata Mangeshkar's songs reflected her attitude of positivity in life. “No matter how dark the clouds, there is always the sun waiting to peep from under the gloom,” she would advise me whenever I was down and under. That contagious laughter which gave hope to million, still rings in the ears of her ardent followers.

Here is a list of songs for the New Year from the Voice Of India.

One of those very rare compositions of Laxmikant-Pyarealal where the Goddess’ voice is not drowned in mounds of orchestration. A sparkling message of hope and positivity in which the singer looks forward to the new year. The great Majrooh Sultanpuri wrote beautifully carved words of wisdom: “Ghul gaya ek saal phir tann mann ke rang mein/Behki bahaar banke rut phir bitee hui.” If this is not counted among Lataji’s greatest songs, it is only because the song was filmed on an unknown starlet named Nivedita.

Lataji counted this New Year’s eve song among her most favourite compositions by Rajesh Roshan. Months before her death she rang up Rajesh Roshan to remind him of this song. “Raju, kitna khubsoorat gaana hai,” she enthused and asked the composer to pay her a visit soon. Before he could do the needful she went away.

A rare party song by the ultra-conservative composer Chitragupta. The insistent rhythms pound out a statement on living in the moment is most unlike what Chitragupta normally created for Lataji. This, in our uncertain times is just the panacea we need. Incidentally this jazzy number sounds like something that would go to Asha Bhosle. Here’s ample proof that Lataji could conquer contemporary cadences as skillfully and effortlessly as the traditional tunes.

A euphoric song of celebration, raising a toast to the coming year. In this one Lataji teams up with Kishore Kumar. What makes this composition special is its restrained tone. Although it sings about whooping it up, the mood is somber and cautious. As if the singers know what we have recently come to know: there is no telling about tomorrow.

An absolutely unknown gem from a 1958 film where the heart races so gracefully it feels more like a caress than a song. Composed by the underrated Vasant Desai it is a deceptively catchy ‘dance’ song (“Aaj main nachoon re, aaj main gaaoon re”). Tearing aside the veil of velvety romanticism the song brings to us a sense of joy and pride on owning the time we’ve been given on this earth. Happy New Year!