20 Laxmikant-Pyarelal songs that will get your feet tapping

It’s been 22 years since Laxmikant Kudalkar passed away. Narendra Kusnur picks 20 songs of the music director duo of Laxmi-Pyare. Enjoy!

It’s been 22 years since music director Laxmikant Kudalkar passed away (he died on May 25, 1998 at age 60). One half of the Laxmikant-Pyarelal duo, he was known for his immaculate sense of melody and his understanding of the pulse of the masses.

As a duo, Laxmikant-Pyarelal had numerous hit songs in the 1960s and 1970s, and though they arrived slightly later, their career ran almost in parallel with R D Burman and Kalyanji-Anandji. Interestingly, a large chunk of their major hits was written by Anand Bakshi, with Lata Mangeshkar singing most female songs.

Shortlisting 20 Laxmikant-Pyarelal (or L-P or Laxmi-Pyare, as they were popular called) songs isn’t an easy task. But we chose some iconic and popular ones, without repeating a film. Quite a few favourites didn’t make it (including songs from Do Raaste, Sargam and Khalnayak), but that’s the enormity of their work.

1 Woh Jab Yaad Aaye – Parasmani (1963):

In Laxmikant-Pyarelal’s first film together, Mohammed Rafi and Lata Mangeshkar sing this nostalgic duet penned by Asad Bhopali.

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lJti8tOpG0o[/embedyt]

2 Mere Mehboob Qayamat Hogi – Mr X In Bombay (1964):

A big hit for Kishore Kumar, penned by Anand Bakshi.

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yIzCBU0_LyY[/embedyt]

3 Chahoonga Main Tujhe – Dosti (1965):

Another feather in Rafi’s cap, this was beautifully expressed by Majrooh Sultanpuri.

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C1CLFK9T028[/embedyt]

4 Suno Sajna – Aaye Din Bahar Ke (1966):

A beauty sung by Mangeshkar, this one has been written by Bakshi and makes wonderful use of sitar, santoor and bansuri.

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iCsa5eG9oo0[/embedyt]

5 Saawan ka Mahina – Milan (1967):

A huge hit in its time, this was aired on Doordarshan for years. Mukesh and Mangeshkar sing Bakshi’s words, filmed on Sunil Dutt and Nutan. The song opening is legendary.

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aUNx5YQuX-Y[/embedyt]

6 Baar Baar Yeh Din Aaye – Farz (1967):

A trademark birthday song sung by Rafi and written by Bakshi.

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jyCmqsci68s[/embedyt]

7 Chalkaye Jaam – Mere Humdum Mere Dost (1968):

Rafi sings this number that became an evergreen favourite at bars and cocktail parties. Lyrics by Majrooh Sultanpuri.

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lsnrYj1rOKc[/embedyt]

8 Aa Jaane Jaan – Inteqaam (1969):

The first time Mangeshkar sung a cabaret number, the Rajendra Krishan song is known for his vibrant, flashy orchestration.

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KMevdfnDGM8[/embedyt]

9 Jhilmil Sitaron Ka – Jeevan Mrityu (1970):

A romantic duet on dreams and hope sung by Rafi and Mangeshkar, and penned by Bakshi.

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uex2GnRrqFU[/embedyt]

10 Ek Pyar Ka Naghma – Shor (1972):

Picturised on Manoj Kumar and Nanda, this classic was written by Santosh Anand, and sung by Mangeshkar and Mukesh.

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ST_WC13rNJo[/embedyt]

11 Mere Dil Mein Aaj – Daag (1973):

Another hit for Kishore, this beautiful love song was penned by Bakshi and filmed on Rajesh Khanna.

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IsKN8iylATk[/embedyt]

12 Main Shayar Toh Nahin – Bobby (1973):

Laxmikant-Pyarelal and Bakshi combine again, on this song rendered by Shailendra Singh and picturised on Rishi Kapoor.

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VqcI7r0ZWvw[/embedyt]

13 Gaadi Bula Rahi Hai – Dost (1974):

This Kishore song was a huge radio favourite. Penned by Bakshi again, it attained cult status.

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v2lVtG3LWTk[/embedyt]

14 Ruk Jaana Nahin – Imtihaan (1974):

An all-time favourite Kishore song, this talks of eternal hope and self-belief. Lyrics by Sultanpuri.

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LvVIz1pkQ1k[/embedyt]

15 Parda Hai Parda – Amar Akbar Anthony (1977):

Rafi sings this iconic qawwali-based number picturised on Rishi Kapoor and penned by Bakshi.

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ch-i9iBrCYQ[/embedyt]

16 Satyam Shivam Sundaram – Satyam Shivam Sundaram (1978):

Penned by Pt Narendra Sharma, this classic by Mangeshkar is one of their biggest hits. Zeenat Aman appears on screen.

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6t8Z8UP1KK8[/embedyt]

17 Dard-e-Dil – Karz (1980):

Rafi sings this gem picturised on Rishi Kapoor and written by Bakshi.

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xb4g9QDw4Fs[/embedyt]

18 Hum Bane Tum Bane – Ek Duuje Ke Liye (1981):

Southern singing star S P Balasubramanyam sings for Kamal Hassan, and Mangeshkar for Rati Agnihotri. Words by Bakshi.

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c9_mV-aJ1SA[/embedyt]

19 Lambi Judaai – Hero (1983):

Pakistani singer Reshma did a fantastic job on this song written by Bakshi.

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8-PiLICADb0[/embedyt]

20 Ek Do Teen – Tezaab (1988):

One can never forget the scene of Madhuri Dixit dancing to this song, sung by Alka Yagnik and written by Javed Akhtar.

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dx57HiK1wUg[/embedyt]