Best Duets of Hemant Kumar and Lata Mangeshkar


Thinking of Hemant Kumar Mukherjee, I always wonder, what is it that appeals me and makes me his ardent fan. Is it as a singer, his manly, deep and resonant voice or as a music composer, his uncanny ability to produce musical gems that even after 60 years later, never fail to mesmerise the music lovers. I think both. The singer and music composer Hemantda complemented each other. He possessed unique profound voice that was his characteristic just as quivering voice was Talat Mahmood, S. When such a voice combines with sweet and divine voice of Lata Mangeshkar, the confluence was sure to produce unforgettable melodies. When I think of Hemant - Lata duets, a flurry of songs crowd into the mind, all serene and lilting. It is always an uphill task to select best Ten songs. However I would like to list the best duets which are my all time favorite....
So...here it goes..

1.Aa Neele Gagan Tale-Film: Badshah 1954-Lyrics: Hasrat Jaipuri-Music: Shankar Jaikishan



Obviously, this song should figure at top. It is the best dreamy, romantic song SJ has composed. The piano and violin prelude sets the rhythm of the overall song, which starts with Lata's voice. Lata's high octave first stanza ( Ye sham ki bela ye madhur Mast nazarein) is in stark contrast with low octave Hemant Kumar in second stanza. The Song starts quietly and ends quietly as well leaving a profound soothing feeling in the listner's mind. Truly the song scores high in every department be it lyrics, tune, minimal archestra....

2.Do Bol tere Meethe Meethe
Film: Daara 1953
Lyrics: Madhup Sharma
Music: Mohammad Shafi.

Both Hemantda and Lata sing this song with profound dedication. Although they sings on two different paths, they complement each other.The chorus superbly blends with their voices and binds the song effectively, to create a melody that gives the impression of riding on gentle wavy surf. A masterpiece from Mohammad Shafi.

3. Chupa Lo Dilmein yoon Pyar Mera
Film : Mamata 1964
Lyrics: Majrooh Sultanpuri
Music: Roshan.
A soothing and soul stirring melody from Roshan,that brings forth the emotions of unshakable love,the selfless sacrifice for the love.The song starts silently with deeply emotional voice of Hemantda. Lata's honey sweet voice laden with emotions meets his voice. Throughout the song the orchestra is minimal ,only the sound of bell to emphasize the rhythm. Yet Roshan has succeeded in creating this immortal melody that never fails to wrench your heart. A Masterpiece in true sense.....

4. Nayi Manzeel Nayi Rahein
Film: Hill Station 1957
Lyrics: S.H.Bihari
Music: Hemant Kumar.

There are some songs which have to be listened in silence. After they are over ,you remain silent for long time engrossed in the nostalgic glory. This song truely evokes the feeling of young couple meeting in moonlight and anticipating the beginning of new life &better future. As soothing as a cool breeze in shimmering hot desert. My favorite song...

5.Dil se Mila Dil
Film: Daku ki Ladki 1954
Lyrics: S.H.Bihari
Music: Hemant kumar.


When two divine voices come together, then outcome has to be DIVINE. Lata, with her thin sweet voice and Hemantda, with his manly bass voice is combination par excellence. The chorus binds the song together to create a vibrant and bouncy melody.
6.Tum Se Door Chale
Film Pyar Ki Rahein 1959
Lyrics: Prem Dhavan
Music: Kanu Ghosh

Another musical gem of Hemantda and Lata, under the composer Kanu Ghosh. The intense longing for each other in love, the sorrow of unsuccessful love and ultimately yielding to the inescapable destiny by separating with other and still treasuring their love that is itched in their hearts...all these emotions very effectively evoked in the lyrics and greatly enhanced by the two singers.

Tum se dur chale hum majbur chale,
Pyar bhare dil mil na sake nile gagan ke tale
Nile gagan ke tale
Na teri khata na meri khata
Ye hai Kismat ka khel
Tum bhi chaho hum bhi chahe
Ho naa sake par mel
Mai majbur hui tumse dur hui
Roothi hui taqdeer ke aage
Kiska jor chale
Kiska jor chale........

7. Dekho Woh Chand Chhupake
Film: Shart 1954
Lyrics: S.H.Bihari
Music: Hemant Kumar.


Another calm and quiet song from Hemant Kumar....A melodious duet with little background orchestra.Soft, serene, soulful... the song has been casting its magic spell on countless music lovers for decades. Such pure feelings of love,of dedication,of almost devotion! Together, the words, the music, and the voices with the aid of "chaand" in the starry moon light, the ever-trusted confidante of the ones in love, all this takes the listener to another romantic dreamland from which nobody wants to come back...
.8.Aa Ja O Jane Wafa
Film: Shirin Farhad 1956
Lyrics:Tanvir Naqvi
Music: S.Mohinder.

Timeless classic ! Hemanda's low key deep voice is well complimented by Lata's sweet voice moving throu gh all ranges effectively, creates heavenly magic.The film depicts the famous love story of shirin and farhad in arabian background, where A Princess is forbidden to see her childhood sweetheart and forced to marry an emperor..Both the singers have succeeded in conveying the sorrows and pathos of separation.

9.O Dheere Dheere Chadh Gaya Nadimein Pani
Film: Aagosh 1953
Lyrics:Shailendra
Music: Roshan

Two lovers (Nutan and Nasir Khan),meeting at picturesque location near river and engrossed in their childhood memories.They feel the sweet mistake of falling in love in childhood has made their life beautiful today when their youth is blossoming like burgeoning water of the river.Slow yet heart capturing melody.

10.Peeche Peeche Aakar 
Film:House No.44 1955
Lyrics:Sahir Ludhianvi
Music: S.D.Burman
Youthful Romance personified. Dev Anand as usual charming and Kalpana Karthik playful. The whole song has built in rhythm due to which it races away till the end.The song never fails to refresh my mood. Youth has it's own magic and charm.
.....Since I limited myself for Ten songs only, that still leaves the beautiful melodies like Nain Se Nain Naahi Milao (Jhanak Jhanak Payal Baze),Yaad kiya Dil ne Kaha Ho Tum ( Patita),Halke halke chalo saware (Tangewali),Muskarati hui Chandani (Albeli )and I genuinely regret for it.

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