Composer Usha Khanna turned 84 on October 7 and Subhash K Jha picks her top 10 songs.
Dil Deke Dekho from Dil Deke Dekho
Usha Khanna and Asha Parekh started their careers together with Dil Deke Dekho. Decades later, they came together again for Bin Phere Hum Tere.
Chhodo Kal Ki Baaten from Hum Hindustani
Mukesh sang Usha Khanna's evergreen hit, urging the nation to move on rather than rest on past glory.
Teri Galiyon Mein Na Rakhenge Kadam from Hawas
Mohammed Rafi's heartbreak ballad.
Madhuban Khushboo Deta Hai from Sajan Bina Suhagan
Yesudas sings this song with lyricist Indeevar telling us what makes life meaningful.
Tu Is Tarah Se Mere Zindagi Main from Aap Toh Aise Na The
The tragedy of Usha Khanna's career was that the films she scored for rarely clicked.
Zindagi Kaise Kategi from Meri Biwi Ki Shaadi
Lata Mangeshkar's rendition enhances this song.
Shayad Meri Shaadi Ka Khayal from Souten
Usha Khanna often composed for ex-husband Sawan Kumar; Souten was their biggest hit.
This Lata Mangeshkar-Kishore Kumar song was Rajesh Khanna's last chartbuster and by far, Usha Khanna's biggest success.
Chand Ke Paas Jo Sitara from Sweekar Kiya Maine
Lata Mangeshkar and Kishore Kumar sing this Usha Khanna composition for the Shabana Azmi-Vinod Mehra starrer.
Chand Apna Safar Khatam Karta Raha from Shama
Lata Mangeshkar sings for Shabana Azmi. Usha Khanna used the piano in the lower octaves to create a hushed mood.
Ruk Ja Sathi from Gheri Chot
Sung by Lata Mangeshkar, the film sadly didn't get a proper release.