After the success of Guru Dutt’s Pyaasa, actress Mala Sinha got firmly entrenched in Hindi cinema, having started in Bengali films. A couple of roles with star Dev Anand boosted her career.
Till the early 1970s, she was among the top heroines. Quite a few hit songs were filmed on her, the most famous one arguably being Lata Mangeshkar’s ‘Aapki Nazron Ne’ in Anpadh.
To mark her 85th birthday on November 11, we pick 10 songs in chronological order.
1. Hum Aapke Aankhon Mein – Pyaasa (1957)
Involving a dream sequence featuring Guru Dutt and Mala Sinha, this was composed by S.D. Burman in a waltz style. Mohammed Rafi and Geeta Dutt were the singers, and Sahir Ludhianvi wrote, “Hum aapki aankhon mein is dil ko basa de toh, hum moond ke palkon ko is dil ko saja de toh”.
2. Dheere Dheere Chal – Love Marriage (1959)
A romantic beauty written by Hasrat Jaipuri and sung by Rafi and Lata. Music was by Shankar-Jaikishen, and Dev Anand and Mala were the stars. The opening lines were, “Dheere dheere chal chaand gagan mein, dheere dheere chal chaand gagan mein, kahin dhal na jaaye raat toot na jaye sapne, dheere dheere chal chaand gagan mein”. The pair also appeared on the Shailendra-penned ‘Kahe Jhoom Jhoom Raat Yeh Suhani”.
3. Tere Pyaar Ka Aasra Chahta Hoon – Dhool Ka Phool (1959)
Mahendra Kapoor sang for Rajendra Kumar and Lata for Mala in this song filmed as a singing stage competition. Music was by N. Dutta with Sahir writing, “Tere pyaar ka aasra chahta hoon, wafa kar raha hoon, wafa chahta hoon; haseenon se ahad-e-wafa chaahte ho, bade nasamajh ho yeh kya chahte ho”.
4. Tasveer Teri Dil Mein – Maya (1961)
Another memorable duet featuring Dev and Mala, this was sung by Rafi and Lata. Salil Chowdhury composed the beautiful melody, and Majrooh Sultanpuri wrote, “Tasveer teri dil mein, jis din se utaari hai, phiroon tujhe sang leke, naye naye rang leke, sapnon ki mehfil mein”. Mala appeared in six songs in the film.
5. Aapki Nazaron Ne Samjha – Anpadh (1962)
Music director Madan Mohan and lyricist Raja Mehdi Ali Khan combined on this Lata classic. Mala was paired opposite Balraj Sahni. The opening lines were, “Aapki nazron ne samjha pyaar ke kaabil mujje, dil ki ae dhadkan theher ja, mil gayee manzil mujhe”. The song used raag Adana.
6. Yeh Hariyali Aur Yeh Rasta – Hariyali Aur Rasta ((1962)
Lata shone on this song composed by Shankar-Jaikishen and written by Hasrat Jaipuri. It was picturised outdoors on Mala and Manoj Kumar, and had the lines, “Yeh hariyali aur yeh rasta, in raahon par tera mera jeevan bhar ka waasta”. The film also had the Mukesh-Lata hit ‘Ibteda-e-ishq Mein (Allah Jaane Kya Hoga Aage)’. Manoj and Mala also appeared in Himalay Ki God Mein, featuring the song ‘Ek Tu Na Mila’.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QI5Mriby7Yo
7. Tujhko Mera Pyaar Pukare – Gumrah (1963)
Featuring Sunil Dutt and Mala, this outdoor hill song was a huge hit. Sung by Mahendra Kapoor and Asha Bhosle, it was composed by Ravi with Sahir writing, “In hawaaon mein in fizaaon mein tujhko mera pyar pukare oh”. The film also had the Mahendra Kapoor song “Chalo ek baar phir se ajnabee ban jaaye hum dono”, filmed on Sunil Dutt, Mala and Ashok Kumar.
8. Jab Yaad Kisiki Aati Hai – Jab Yaad Kisiki Aati Hai (1967)
Madan Mohan and lyricist Raja Mehdi Ali Khan teamed up once again on this song sung by Lata. Mala was filmed with a group of dancers. The lyrics were, “Jab yaad kisiki aati hai, aankhon se neend ud jaati hai, milne ki lagan tadpaati hai, jab yaad kisiki aati hai”. Lata’s singing was filled with pathos.
9. Milti Hai Zindagi Mein – Aankhen (1968)
A garden song filmed on Mala and Dharmendra, this was hugely popular on the radio. Sung by Lata, it was composed by Ravi, with Sahir writing, “Milti hai zindagi mein mohabbat kabhi kabhi, hoti hai dilbaron ki inaayat kabhi kabhi”. Lata’s ‘Gairon Pe Karam’ was also picturised on Mala.
10. Kahin Karti Hogi – Phir Kab Miloge (1974)
In the opening part, music director R.D. Burman was inspired by trumpeter Herp Albert’s ‘The Lonely Bull’. Filmed on Biswajeet and Mala, the song was dominated by Mukesh, with Lata coming in at the end. Majrooh wrote, “Kahin karti hogi woh mera intezaar, jiski tamanna mein phirta hoon beqaraar”.
Though she didn’t lip-sync to them, her presence in Mukesh’s ‘Chand Aahen Bharega’ from Phool Bane Angarey was notable, as she sat in the car with Rajkumar. Likewise, her presence in the Gumraah song ‘Chalo Ek Baar’ was strong enough to attract attention though Sunil Dutt lip-synced it.
Like her contemporaries Nutan, Sadhna, Vyjayanthimala, Waheeda Rahman and Sharmila Tagore, Mala had many songs by Lata. Even in this list, eight songs are by the Nightingale. The voice went perfectly with her screen persona.
