In some cases, since we have selected only one song per film, the other big songs are mentioned within the text. The order is chronological.
1 O Sajna – Parakh (1960)
This beautiful Sadhna rain song was composed by Salil Chowdhury, with Lata Mangeshkar singing, “O sajna, barkha bahaar aayee, ras ki phuhaar laayee, akhiyon mein pyaar laayee”. Lyrics were by Shailendra, and there was notable use of sitar and flute. The song had been done in Bengali as ‘Na Jeona’.
2 Abhi Na Jaao – Hum Dono (1961)
Written in nazm style by Sahir Ludhianvi, the song was filmed on Dev Anand and Sadhna. Sung by Mohammed Rafi and Asha Bhosle, it was composed by Jaidev in raag Yaman Kalyan. The opening lines were, “Abhi na jaao chhod ke, ki dil abhi bhara nahin”. It was one of the most popular romantic duets of the 1960s.
3 Bahut Shukriya – Ek Musafir Ek Hasina (1962)
This wonderful composition by O.P. Nayyar was written by S.H. Bihari. While Rafi sang most of the song to portray Joy Mukherjee, Asha came in during the last antara, though Sadhna appeared all through the song. The opening lines were, “Bahut shukriya, badi meherbani, meri zindagi mein, huzoor aap aaye”.
4 Tera Mera Pyar Amar – Asli Naqli (1962)
Dev Anand and a sari-clad Sadhna got together on this gem, beautifully sung by Lata. Music was by Shankar-Jaikishen and Shailendra wrote, “Tera mera pyaar amar, phir kyon mujhko lagta hai dar, mere jeevan saathi bata, kyun dil dhadke reh reh kar”. The accordion was used marvellously in the interludes.
5 Naina Barse – Woh Kaun Thi? (1964)
This film has two iconic Lata songs filmed on Sadhna – this one and ‘Lag Ja Gale’, with Manoj Kumar appearing in both songs composed by Madan Mohan. On ‘Naina Barse’, lyricist Raja Mehdi Ali Khan wrote, “Naina barse rimjhim rimjhim, piya tore aawan ki aas”. Saregama HMV later released a version of Madan Mohan singing this song.
6 Tumne Pukara – Rajkumar (1964)
The combination of Rafi and Suman Kalyanpur went perfectly with Shammi Kapoor and Sadhna on this song, composed by Shankar-Jaikishen. Lyricist Hasrat Jaipuri wrote, “Tumne pukara aur hum chale aaye, dil hatheli par le aaye re” which became “jaan hatheli par le aaye re” in the female line.
7 Aji Rooth Kar – Arzoo (1965)
Lata excelled on the high notes of this song filmed in a party sequence on Sadhna and Rajendra Kumar. Music was by Shankar-Jaikishen, with Hasrat Jaipuri writing, “Aji rooth kar ab kahaan jaaiyega, jahaan jaaiyega, humein paaiyega”. The film also had Lata’s ‘Bedardi Balama’.
8 Jhumka Gira Re – Mera Saaya (1966)
The film Mera Saaya had two great Lata songs in the title number and “Naino mein badra chhaye’. We chose this song by Asha because Sadhna did a neatly-choreographed folk dance in a crowd setting. Madan Mohan created a typically north Indian tune, with Raja Mehdi Ali Khan writing, “Jhumka gira re, Bareilly ke bazaar mein jhumka gira re”. The percussion is the song’s highlight.
9 Kaise Rahoon Chhup – Intaqam (1969)
Sadhana excelled in this drunken party scene, which had Sanjay Khan, Ashok Kumar, Rehman and Helen as onlookers. Lata was fantastic as she sang, “Aur zara si de de saqi, aur zara si aur”. Rajendra Krishan wrote and Laxmikant-Pyarelal composed. Lata also sang the famous cabaret number ‘Aa Jaane Ja’, picturised on Helen in this film.
10 Yeh Parda Hata Do – Ek Phool Do Mali (1969)
Sanjay Khan and Sadhna, dressed in pahadi attire, teamed up on this duet sung by Rafi and Asha. Ravi composed the music and Prem Dhawan wrote, “Yeh parda hata do, yeh mukhda dikha do, hum pyaar karne wale hain, koi gair nahin, hum tumpe marne waale hain, koi gair nahin”.
Both Lata and Asha sang consistently for Sadhna and both suited her persona, with the latter having some great duets with Rafi. But Sadhna’s image also went well with Suman Kalyanpur, and the song ‘Pehla Pehla Pyaar Hai’ from Budtameez was admired by fans. Indeed, she was a singer’s delight.
