Unlike his contemporaries Raj Kapoor and Dev Anand whose career boasts of a great many songs, Dilip Kumar's name isn't synonymous with music.
Considered an acting school by himself, the legend's glory is marked in cinema of serious, substantial momentum.
Except there are numerous beautiful songs to his credit that highlight his heft as well as charms to the hilt.
Sukanya Verma lists 25 unforgettable Dilip Kumar melodies to love and listen to.
Tu Kahe Agar, Andaz (1949)
Music: Naushad
Lyrics: Majrooh Sultanpuri
Singer: Mukesh
Dilip Kumar teamed up memorably opposite Raj Kapoor and Nargis in Mehboob Khan's blockbuster love triangle. One gets a generous glimpse of his affections in this timeless Naushad melody.
Seene Mein Sulagte Hain Armaan, Tarana (1951)
Music: Anil Biswas
Lyrics: Prem Dhawan
Singer: Talat Mahmood, Lata Mangeshkar
The screen sizzles in Dilip Kumar and Madhubala's intense expression of agonising heartache to the tune of this Anil Biswas classic.
Maan Mera Ehsaan, Aan (1952)
Music: Naushad
Lyrics: Shakeel Badayuni
Singer: Mohammad Rafi
Rafi channels every bit of Dilip Kumar's brash lover for this hit track from Mehboob Khan's lavish Taming of the Shrew reworking.
Aye Mere Dil Kahin Aur Chal, Daag (1952)
Music: Shankar-Jaikishan
Lyrics: Shailendra
Singer: Talat Mahmood
As Dilip Kumar's frequent singing voice, Talat Mahmood delicately conveys the exasperation of a disillusioned soul in this deeply affecting Daag ditty.
Sham-E-Gham Ki Kasam, Footpath (1953)
Music: Khayyam
Lyrics: Majrooh Sultanpuri, Sardar Jafri
Singer: Talat Mahmood
Despondency and anticipation acquire a soulful air in Talat Mahmood's rich rendition of Khayyam's '50s chartbuster.
Mitwa Laagi Re, Devdas (1955)
Music: Sachin Dev Burman
Lyrics: Sahir Ludhianvi
Singer: Talat Mahmood
Most of Talat Mahmood-Dilip Kumar collaborations are heartrending in nature and there's no denying the chords they deeply touch.
O Door Ke Musafir, Uran Khatola (1955)
Music: Naushad
Lyrics: Shakeel Badayuni
Singer: Mohammad Rafi
Rafi's gift for bringing out any mood or feeling in his singing perfectly complemented Dilip Kumar's on screen artistry to achieve the same.
Kitna Haseen Hai Mausum, Azaad (1955)
Music: C Ramchandra
Lyrics: Rajendra Krishan
Singer: Chitalkar Ramchandra, Lata Mangeshkar
When the King and Queen of pathos got together, the screen lit up in charm, as is evident in Dilip Kumar and Meena Kumar's carefree romance to C Ramchandra's lilting tune. Interestingly, the composer himself provided the vocals for Yusuf Saab.
Udein Jab Jab Zulfien Teri, Naya Daur (1957)
Music: O P Nayyar
Lyrics: Sahir Ludhianvi
Singer: Mohammad Rafi, Asha Bhosle
O P Nayyar's trademark rhythm colours the beats of Dilip Kumar and Vyjayanthimala's flirtatious banter in this catchy Naya Daur number.
Yeh Desh Hain Veer Jawano Ka, Naya Daur (1957)
Music: O P Nayyar
Lyrics: Sahir Ludhianvi
Singer: Mohammad Rafi, Balbir
Another winner from the same soundtrack brims with Dilip Kumar's youthful, nationalistic fervour.
Laagi Naahi Chhute, Musafir (1957)
Music: Salil Choudhury
Lyrics: Shailendra
Singer: Dilip Kumar, Lata Mangeshkar
The one where Dilip Kumar turns singer and joins Lata Mangeshkar to hum Salil Choudhury's thumri based on Raag Piloo.
Suhana Safar, Madhumati (1958)
Music: Salil Choudhury
Lyrics: Shailendra
Singer: Mukesh
Madhumati's soundtrack is a treasure trove of unforgettable melodies. There's a song for every mood. Suhana Safar is Dilip Saab's rich ode to the pleasant sights and bounty of nature.
Toote Hue Khwabon Ne, Madhumati (1958)
Music: Salil Choudhury
Lyrics: Shailendra
Singer: Mohammad Rafi
Gloom casts its miserable shadow on Dilip Kumar's dreams and desires in Salilda's forlorn creation.
Yeh Mera Deewanapan, Yahudi (1958)
Music: Shankar-Jaikishan
Lyrics: Shailendra
Singer: Mukesh
In 1958, Bimal Roy directed Dilip Kumar to play lovelorn characters in both Madhumati and Yahudi. The latter poetically mocks his ladylove in the hugely popular Yeh Mera Deewanapan proving Mukesh does a mighty convincing job outside Raj Kapoor turf too.
Madhuban Mein Radhika Nacha Re, Kohinoor (1960)
Lyrics: Shakeel Badayuni
Singer: Mohammad Rafi
Rafi's classical zeal and Dilip Kumar's excited performance combine to turn Naushad's Madhuban Mein Radhika into an everlasting treat.
Nain Lad Jayin Hain, Gunga Jumna (1961)
Music: Naushad
Lyrics: Shakeel Badayuni
Singer: Mohammad Rafi
Naushad's zing, Shakeel Badayuni's fervent penmanship, Rafi's vigour and Dilip Kumar's sheer joy bring the house down in Gunga Jumna's colloquial song.
Apni Azadi Ko Hum, Leader (1964)
Music: Naushad
Lyrics: Shakeel Badayuni
Singer: Mohammad Rafi
Dilip Kumar's uncompromising spirit and patriotic beliefs find a triumphant embodiment in Rafi's delivery of Sar Kata Sakte Hai Lekin Sar Jhuka Sakte Nahi.
Tere Husn Ki Kya Tareef, Leader (1964)
Music: Naushad
Lyrics: Shakeel Badayuni
Singer: Mohammad Rafi, Lata Mangeshkar
The changing, charming tempo of Leader's love song continues to be a treat for all seasons.
Koi Sagar Dil Ko Behlata Nahi, Dil Diya Dard Liya (1966)
Music: Naushad
Lyrics: Shakeel Badayuni
Singer: Mohammad Rafi
Rafi's fluid understanding of Dilip Kumar's agony results in the supremely poignant Koi Sagar.
Aaj Ki Raat Mere, Ram Aur Shyam (1967)
Music: Naushad
Lyrics: Shakeel Badayuni
Singer: Mohammad Rafi
Dilip Kumar's twin avatar is best remembered for Pran's whip and the actor at its receiving end as both Ram Aur Shyam. But the romantic overtures of Aaj Ki Raat deserve attention too.
Aaj Purani Raahon Se, Aadmi (1968)
Music: Naushad
Lyrics: Shakeel Badayuni
Singer: Mohammad Rafi
Rafi dives deep into Dilip Kumar's despair for the grief stricken mood of Aaj Purani Raahon Se.
Ram Chandra Keh Gaye Siya Se, <emGopi (1970)
Music: Kalyanji-Anandji
Lyrics: Rajendra Krishan
Singer: Mahendra Kapoor
The gently expressed scorn in Mahendra Kapoor's bhajan get an edge under Dilip Kumar's treatment.
Saala Main Toh Saath Sahab Ban Gaya, Sagina (1974)
Music: S D Burman
Lyrics: Majrooh Sultanpuri
Singer: Kishore Kumar
Kishore Kumar letting loose behind the scene and Dilip Kumar's silly shenanigans on it proves to be a super hit combination.
Maangi Thi Ek Dua, Shakti (1982)
Music: Rahul Dev Burman
Lyrics: Anand Bakshi
Singer: Mahendra Kapoor
RD's serene realisation of Dilip Kumar's wish come true moment gives us a glimpse of his constantly questioned fatherly love in this warm song in Shakti.
Imli Ka Boota, Saudagar (1991)
Music: Laxmikant-Pyarelal
Lyrics: Anand Bakshi
Singer: Mohammad Aziz, Sudesh Bhosle
Dilip Kumar and Raaj Kumar's friends turned foes turned friends again status is cheerfully personified in the vibrant beats and grand orchestration of Imli Ka Boota.
