#31 Mahal: Top 100 Bollywood Albums

Music: Khemchand Prakash

Lyrics: Nakhshab Jarchvi

Label: Saregama HMV

Director: Kamal Amrohi

Khemchand Prakash is known to have provided the launch pad to a multitude of musicians – Kishore Kumar, Manna Dey, Naushad to name a few. His most lasting contribution to the music world however happened with the gem called Aayega Aanewala. It was the unprecedented success of this song that forced record labels and radio shows to start crediting playback singers instead of the actors, which was the dominant practice then (of course, in recent times, labels have gone back to the original tradition). The singer in question was of course Lata Mangeshkar, who shot to the big league with the song. The movie's other songs, though not as successful, were all equally top notch in their quality.

Best Song of Mahal: Aayega Aanewala – no two ways about it! The melodic piece was to act as the theme song of what is referred to as the first super-natural thriller in Hindi. Though not particularly spooky in its tone, the haunting setting that lyricist Nakhshab Jarchvi and the composer gave the song (amazing use of violins) will have you in its thrall right from the long prelude that Lata delivers impeccably before launching into that legendary title verse. The presence of Madhubala in the video added to the song's magical appeal; the movie also turned the lady's fortunes reportedly, making her one of the most sought-after actresses in the industry.

1. Aayega Aanewala (Singer: Lata Mangeshkar)
2. Yeh Raat Phir Na Aayegi (Singers: Zohra Bai, Rajkumari)
3. Mushkil Hai (Singer: Lata Mangeshkar)
4. Ghabra Ke Jo Hum (Singer: Rajkumari)
5. Main Wo Hansi Hoon (Singer: Rajkumari)
6. Ek Teer Chala Dil Pe Laga (Singer: Rajkumari)
7. Dil Ne Phir Yaad Kiya (Singer: Lata Mangeshkar) 

Listen to Aayega Aanewala from Mahal here: 

(With contributions by Praveen VR, co-founder of musicaloud.com; information partly sourced from myswar.com)

#32 BEES SAAL BAAD: TOP 100 BOLLYWOOD ALBUMS