1 ‘Na Koi Umang Hai’ – Kati Patang (1970)
In this Shakti Samanta melodrama, Lata Mangeshkar sang only two songs, the title song and a duet, ‘Aaj Na Chodenge’, with Kishore Kumar. Her rendition added further depth to Asha Parekh’s award-winning performance. Anand Bakshi too was nominated for his lyrics. RD Burman composed the score for the film.
2 ‘Dilbar Dil Se Pyare’ – Caravan (1971)
While sister Asha Bhosle got the popular ‘Piya Tu Ab To Aaja’ from the film’s soundtrack, Lata Mangeshkar too sang a hit song, picturised on Aruna Irani in a gypsy setting, the peppy ‘Dilbar Dil Se Pyare’. RD Burman composed the music while the songs were written by Majrooh Sultanpuri in this Nasir Husain hit.
3 ‘Beete Na Bitaai Raina’ – Parichay (1972)
Lata Mangeshkar won her first National award for Best Female Playback Singer with this classically rooted song composed by RD Burman and written by Gulzar. This underrated duet was sung along with Bhupinder.
4 ‘Bahon Mein Chale Aao’ – Anamika (1973)
This film starring Sanjeev Kumar and Jaya Bhaduri featured the standout ‘Bahon Mein Chale Aao’ playfully rendered by Lata Mangeshkar for music composer RD Burman. Majrooh Sultanpuri wrote all songs on this album.
5 ‘Hum Dono Do Premi’ – Ajanabee (1974)
Picturised atop a moving train with Rajesh Khanna and Zeenat Aman, this romantic duet was one of many sung by Kishore Kumar and Lata Mangeshkar during the 1970s. The music was composed by RD Burman while the lyrics were by Anand Bakshi. That year, Mangeshkar won her second National award for Best Female Playback Singer for Kora Kagaz’s ‘Roothe Roothe Piya’.
6 ‘Tere Bina Zindagi Se’ – Aandhi (1975)
Gulzar’s Aandhi with Sanjeev Kumar and Suchitra Sen as the estranged lovers featured a minimal album with music by RD Burman. Obviously, Gulzar also wrote the lyrics. ‘Tere Bina Zindagi Se’ remains an everlasting favourite which conveys regret and heartbreak. The song reached the fifth position in the Binaca Geetmala annual song list in 1975.
7 ‘Mere Ghar Aayi Ek Nanhi Pari’ – Kabhi Kabhie (1976)
The Filmfare award-winning album from music composer Khayyam and lyricist Sahir Ludhianvi featured many classic numbers from ‘Kabhi Kabhie Mere Dil Mein’ to ‘Tere Chehre Se’. It also contained a hidden gem in this lovely lullaby by Lata Mangeshkar which has rocked many a young girl to sleep.
8 ‘Chal Kahin Door Nikal Jaayein’ – Doosara Aadmi (1977)
In this romantic duet from Ramesh Talwar’s Doosara Aadmi, Lata Mangeshkar got the opportunity to sing with both Kishore Kumar and Mohammed Rafi in one song. The film dealt with a complicated love triangle with Rakhee, Rishi Kapoor and Neetu Singh. Majrooh Sultanpuri wrote the lyrics and the music was composed by Rajesh Roshan.
9 ‘Main Tulsi Tere Aangan Ki’ – Main Tulsi Tere Aangan Ki (1978)
This worshipful number sung by Lata Mangeshkar became instantly beloved across the country. The popular film, starring Nutan, Asha Parekh and Vinod Khanna, picked up three Filmfare awards and was nominated for several more. Composed by Laxmikant-Pyarelal, the song was penned by Anand Bakshi.
10 ‘Chori Chori Koi Aaye’ – Noorie (1979)
Just as she had been the voice of countless new actresses, Lata Mangeshkar sang for Poonam Dhillon as she took the title role of Noorie in this Yash Chopra production. The lyrics were written by Naqsh Lyallpuri while Khayyam’s score was nominated for a Filmfare award.