This is yet another section I’ve been meaning to start but it takes a lot of time to first compile and then make up my mind! Amongst contemporary composers, this pair has impressed me the most – beyond the set of usual suspects like Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy, Vishal Shekhar or Rahman. I also feel that it was a terrible move on their part to split, considering their music in Fanaa was decent.
The first ever Jatin Lalit song I recall hearing was Khiladi’s Khud ko kya samajti hai. Those were the days I used to be glued to the radio programs at night (with names like Tips sangeet sarita or whatever!) and one of the quizzes on that day was to identify this song’s composer. I couldn’t, since I hadn’t even heard of them, but it sounded different. But it was Waada raha sanam’s completely strange tune pattern – very reminiscent of Pancham – that blew me away. The duo has this knack of brining out those off-the-usual tunes that seem to go haywire but make good sense overall. And, I was under the false impression – for a long time – that the music of Yaara Dil Daara was by a lesser-known composer named Babul Bose, until someone corrected me, had a bet with me and won! In fact the Babul Bose connection was again due to those radio programs, if I remember right – I must’ve heard the name being mentioned for some other film (most probably ‘Jeena teri gali mein’ that came out in the same year as ‘Yaara dildaara’ – 1991) in that period I suppose.
The following list is a personal opinion and I’m sure most of you may not even come to terms with the fact that it doesn’t include some of the most successful tracks of the duo – from the Yashraj stable! But, as I always maintain, opinions should differ – makes a good beginning to explore others’ point of views! So, all kinds of feedback is welcome!
My top 10
01. Kabhi haan kabhi na – Ai kaash ke hum
02. Mr Aashiq – Mera chaand mujhe
03. Khamoshi – Aaj main upar
04. Sangharsh – Mujhe raat din
05. Albela – Kaho to zara
06. Vaastav – Meri duniya hai
07. Khamoshi – Baahon ke darmiyaan
08. Fareb – Yeh teri aankhen jhuki jhuki
09. Yaara dildaara – Tum hi hamari
10. Khiladi – Waada raha sanam
Honorary mentions!
01. Mr Aashiq – Humko aawaaz de
02. Sangharsh – Dil ka qaraar
03. Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar – Pehla nasha
04. Sarfarosh – Zindagi maut na ban jaaye
05. Yaara dil daara – Bin tere sanam
