On Lata Mangeshkar's 90th birthday, a mixtape by the legend for every season

Legendary singer Lata Mangeshkar's melodious voice has serenaded us, left us in tears, made us smile, fall in love and get over heartache, for more than seven decades.

The Nightingale of India made her debut in 1943 with the movie 'Gajabha', and has since left fans, and critics, awe-struck with her voice.

While it is nearly impossible to pick the best by the singing legend, on her 90th birthday, here's a mixtape for every mood:


Romance
There's a Lata Mangeshkar song for every kind of love, and every type of lover. From Amitabh Bachchan, Jaya Bachchan's 'Tere Mere Milan Ki Yeh Raina' in Hrishikesh Mukherjee's 'Abhimaan' to 'Jo Wada Kiya' from 'Taj Mahal' with Mohammed Rafi, the singer's voice has made love all the more sweeter.



Heartbreak
The classic 'Tere Bina Zindagi Se' from 'Aandhi', shot in the ruined 7th-8th century Martand Sun Temple, saw Mangeshkar team up with the '70s formidable trio of Rahul Dev Burman, Gulzar and Kishore Kumar.


The music of Kishore Sahu's 'Dil Apna Aur Preet Parai', starring Raaj Kumar, Meena Kumari and Nadira, won not just awards but also hearts. Composed by Shankar Jaikishan, 'Ajeeb Dastan Hai Yeh', in Mangeshkar's voice went on to become an iconic song.


Longing
'Lag Ja Gale' from Sadhna's 1964 film 'Woh Kaun Thi' till date remains one of the singer's most iconic songs. Composed by Madan Mohan Kohli, and with lyrics by Raja Mehdi Ali Khan, the song has been a constant favourite through generations.


Loss - Tragedy
Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra's 'Rang De Basanti' was loved for more reasons than one. The performances, the story, the music - it was all done to perfection to match every emotion. One such song that has lingered on after all these years is 'Lukka Chuppi'. Depicting the loss of Madhavan's character, with AR Rahman and Mangeshkar lending their voices, it is a beautiful rendition of a mother's love and loss.


Hope
'Aaj Fir Jeene Ki Tamanna Hai' from Vijay Anand’s 1965 film, 'Guide', is a tune that has people humming since decades. Featuring Waheeda Rehman and Dev Anand, the heartwarming SD Burman song was written by Shailendra, and brought to life with Mangeshkar's voice.



Patriotism
One of India's most patriotic songs, 'Aye Mere Watan ke Logon' was written by Kavi Pradeep, composed by C. Ramchandra, and performed by Lata Mangeshkar.

Commemorating Indian martyrs from the the 1962 Sino-Indian war, Mangeshkar first performed the song live on January 27, 1963 - two months after the end of the war - at the National Stadium in front of President Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan and Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru.


So, which is your favourite Lata Mangeshkar number?