There's a Lata Mangeshkar song for every mood be it- happy, sorrowful, patriotic, melancholy, seductive, or amusing.

The 92-year-old singing icon, who breathed her last on 6th February, Sunday morning in Mumbai’s Breach Candy Hospital, left a legacy of songs for her admirers and followers.

The 13-year-old Mangeshkar was first presented to the world in the 1942 Marathi film "Kiti Hasaal," which would attain musical octaves never previously achieved.

She became the playback voice of prominent lead actresses like Madhubala, Waheeda Rehman, MeenaKumari, Jaya Bachchan, Kajol, and Priety Zinta, and not just in Hindi she sang in nearly every major Indian language.

Among her most well-known songs over the years are:

1. "Aayega Aanewala" from "Mahal" (1949) : The melancholy track explored themes such as desperation, hope, and waiting. Khemchand Prakash composed the song, while Nakshab wrote the lyrics. Mangeshkar went on to sing two additional songs for the film, "Dil Ne Phir Yaad Kiya" and "Mushkil Hai Bahut Mushkil," but this was the one that sealed her success.
2. "Hawa Mein Udtaa Jaaye Mora Laal Dupatta Malmal Ka'' from "Barsaat" (1949) : This light hearted song featured actor Bimla Kumari and was a great hit thanks to Mangeshkar's vocals and Shankar Jaikishan's composition.
3. "Ajeeb Dastan Hai Yeh" from "Dil Apna Aur Preet Parai" (1960) : This song from the 1960 movie is a timeless classic starring Meena Kumari and Rajkumar and is widely regarded as one of Mangeshkar's best works.
4. "Ae Mere Watan Ke Logon" (1963) : The song, written by Kavi Pradeep, honours Indian soldiers who died in the Sino-Indian War of 1962. In the presence of President Dr. S Radhakrishnan and Prime Minister Jawahar Lal Nehru, Mangeshkar performed the non-movie track, composed by C Ramachandra, at the National Stadium on January 27, 1963. After hearing her rendition, it is stated that the then-prime minister's eyes welled up.
5. "Pyar Kiya To Darna Kya" from "Mughal-E-Azam" (1960) : The song was created by Naushad, written by Shakeel Badayuni, and sung by Mangeshkar with a chorus, as it captures the idea of defiance in the face of injustice. It was based on Madhubala's role as courtesan Anarkali in K Asif's magnum opus, opposite Dilip Kumar's Prince Salim.
6. "Lag ja gale" from "Woh Kaun Thi?" (1964) : The beautiful, melancholy tune, composed by Madan Mohan and written by Raja Mehdi Ali Khan, was another masterpiece by Mangeshkar.
7. "Ye Sama" from "Jab Jab Phool Khile" (1965) :  Mangeshkar masterfully conveyed the thrill of young love with the tune composed by Kalyanji-Anandji, which was filmed on Nanda.
8. "Aaj Phir Jeene Ki Tamanna" from "Guide" (1965) : The veteran singer's song, which was popularised by actor Waheeda Rehman's performance in it, explored the themes of freedom and emancipation.
9. "Chalte Chalte Yun Hi Koi" from "Pakeezah" (1972) : Mangeshkar sang the majority of the songs in the film, with lyrics by KaifiAzmi, MajroohSultanpuri, and KaifBhopali. This tract is one of Mangeshkar's most beautiful songs, as it encapsulates the feelings of transcendence, happiness, deep love, and deep surrender.
10. "Ek Pyar Ka Naghma Hai" from "Shor" (1972) : A love song, whose violin prelude mirrors the sound of an aching heart, was composed by music director duo Laxmikant Pyarelal with lyrics by Santosh Anand. Mangeshkar's all-knowing voice channelled the irony of life for the track from the film, starring Manoj Kumar, Nanda, and Jaya Bachchan.
11. “Bahon mein chale aao" from "Anamika" (1973) : Mangeshkar performed with RD Burman on the love tune, which is a testament to her range and exudes a particular playfulness.
12. "Naam Gum Jayega- Meri awaaz hi pehchaan hai" from "Kinara" ( 1977) : Lata Mangeshkar not only sang these lines in the movie Kinara, which was directed by Gulzar, but she also lived them. A voice capable of bringing millions of people to tears. Javed Akhtar had once said, “When you are talking about Michelangelo, Beethoven or Shakespeare, the name says it all. Lata Mangeshkar’s greatness is her name itself. There is no other word that can encapsulate her.”
13. "Salaam-E-Ishq Meri Jaan" from "Muqaddar Ka Sikandar" (1978) : Another hit song from the artist, this time co-written by Kishore Kumar. The song perfectly captures the charm of Rekha opposite Amitabh Bachchan in a qawwali track.
14. "Phir Chidhi Raat'' from "Bazaar" (1982) : The song is a romantic duet that Mangeshkar recorded with Talat Aziz, and it reflects the protagonists' desire for a happy future.
15. "Dekha Ek Khwaab" from "Silsila" (1981) : Amitabh Bachchan and Rekha starred in the timeless single from Yash Chopra's blockbuster. The song's lyrics by Javed Akhtar and music by Shiv-Hari have remained famous to this day. LataMangeshkar was Yash Chopra's go-to voice for his films.
16. "Tujhe Dekha To" from "Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge" (1995) : The song, sung by Mangeshkar and Kumar Sanu, was an instant smash when the film was released in 1995. Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol starred in the song.
17. "Dil hoom hoom kare" from "Rudaali" (1993) : With her deep voice and accompanying vocals from another music maestro Bhupen Hazarika, who also scored the music, Mangeshkar raised this hauntingly lovely track.
18. "Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham" from Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham..." (2001) : Filmmaker Karan Johar had sought the assistance of the renowned singer to sing the track, which would go on to brilliantly express the joys and sorrows experienced by a family.
19. "Tere Liye" from Veer Zaara" (2004) : This passionate ballad was one of nine Mangeshkar songs featured in Yash Chopra's romance play. For the song, she teamed with Roop Kumar Rathod. It was Mangeshkar's final full-length film album.
20. “Luka Chuppi" from Rang de Basanti" (2006) : Mangeshkar channelled the emotions of a heartbroken mother who had lost her son and reminisced about her time with him. Rahman composed the music for the single. As admirers mourned the singer's death, the song began to trend on social media.

Final Thoughts

Lata Mangeshkar was a “One time gift to Humanity.” She has entertained and inspired millions of people for many years and yes, her songs will continue to perfume our paths and that of generations to come.

She was also awarded the Padma Bhushan in 1969,  Dada Saheb Phalke Award in 1989, Padma Vibhushan in 1999, Bharat Ratna in 2001 and in 2008 she was honoured with  "One Time Award for Lifetime Achievement" to commemorate the 60th anniversary of India's independence.

Lata won three National Film Awards, 15 Bengal Film Journalists' Association Awards, four Filmfare Awards for Best Female Playback Singer, two Filmfare Special Awards, and the Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award, among other accolades. Lata became the first Indian woman to play at the Royal Albert Hall in 1974.