S D Burman once declared, 'Give me a harmonium and my Lota and I will give you an outstanding composition.'
He was referring to Lata Mangeshkar who sang such hit songs like Kaanton Se Kheench Ke Yeh Aanchal (Guide), Khayi Hai Re Humne Kasam (Talash), Kora Kagaz Tha Yeh Man Mera (Aradhana), Yeh Tanhai (Tere Ghar Ke Samne), Jeevan Ki Bagia Mehkegi (Tere Mere Sapne) for him.
There were many unknown gems too like the ones Subhash K Jha lists.
Hum Pyar Ki Baazi Haare from Sazaa (1951)
One of their earliest songs together, this song held the pain of separation.
Pighla Hai Sona from Jaal (1952)
One of the rare songs Lata Mangeshkar sang for a Guru Dutt espionage thriller.
Khaak Hua Dil Jalte Jalte from Shahenshah (1953)
By the time this film emerged, S D Burman was dithering between Geeta Dutt and Lata Mangeshkar as his preferred voice.
So Ja Re So Ja from Jeewan Jyoti (1953)
S D Burman got both Lata Mangeshkar and Geeta Dutt to do separate renditions of the same composition.
Dil Jale To Jale from Taxi Driver (1954)
In this Navketan film, Lata Mangeshkar sings this seductive number, filmed on Sheila Ramani.
Aa Khilte Hain Gul from Sitaron Se Aage (1958)
The last song Lata Mangeshkar sang for S D Burman before their three year cold war.
Baharon Ki Mehfil Suhani Rahegi from Benazir (1964)
One of S D Burman's most under-rated scores, especially this plaintive mujra.
Suno Suno Meri Dukhbhari Dastan from Chupa Rustom (1973)
This Vijay Anand-directed Dev Anand-Hema Malini starrer flopped but S D Burman's music lives on, especially this song of a damsel in distress.
Shyam Bhai Bin Shyam from Chaitali (1973)
Lata Mangeshkar sang a Krishna birha bhajan, composed for a Bengali film.
Kya Yeh Zindagi Hai from Yeh Gulistaan Hamara
Once asked to name his favourite composition for 'Lota', S D Burman picked this song.