Mukesh

1945….

The radio broadcasts a certain song from a new film… people were excited beyond comparison…. KL Saigal’s voice sounding like his all time best, something that was missing of late….

But to everyone’s surprise, it was not KL Saigal… It was the voice of a young man of 22, singing for Premnath in a movie called “Pehli Nazar”. The song was “Dil Jalta Hai to Jalne de…”

Everyone expected this man to grow beyond limits and become another KL Saigal. But is that what the man wanted?

No…the young man with the golden voice had different plans… He did not want to be know as another Saigal. He did not want to live in Saigal’s shadows. As his next hit with “Tu Kahe Agar” showed the world, he was destined to be his own identity… he was destined to be the master of soulful voice…. He was destined to be the great Mukesh.

On his Life

Mukesh Chand Mathur was borne on 22 July 1923 in Delhi. Though he was always interested in singing, his dream became reality in a small private social function. He was discovered by the actor Motilal, who was his distant relative on his sister’s marriage. Motilal was impressed and helped him to get a break at the age of 18 as a singer-actor. But the film flopped miserably.

Mukesh was a humble man in his entire career, which saw him to be highly successful and consistent. He died the death of an artiste…. During a concert while getting ready for his next performance.

On his career as a singer

He made his debut as a singer-actor in 1941, but it was to be some more time before he made it really big. It was indeed Anil Biswas, his mentor those days, who gave him the soulful “Dil Jalta Hai to Jalne De” in Pehli Nazar (1945). This was picturised on Motilal.

The death of Saigal in 1947 could have opened a gate of opportunity for this young man. But he preferred to get back to his own voice rather than imitating anyone.

Raj Kapoor’s Aag saw Mukesh singing for him and the song “Zindaa Hoon Ish Tarrah” was an instant hit, though the same can not be said about the movie. Then came Andaaz, which saw the true voice of Mukesh.

1951 saw the release of Awaara and Mukesh never looked back after that. He mastered the art of singing and sang to his heart’s content. The next 25 years were marked with success any person will envy.

On his non singing career

Mukesh appeared as a hero in a handful movies. After his debut film where he acted opposite the charming Nalini Jayawant, he was also seen in lead roles in Dukh Sukh (1942) and Aadab Arz (1943). But soon he realized acting was not his forte and he concentrated in singing.

After getting success as a singer, he again made a comeback as an actor in Mashuqa (1953) opposite Suraiya. As anyone can guess, it was a musical with two great voices together.

Mukesh was also seen in Raj Kapoor’s Aah in the climax. He was the bullock cart driver taking a dying Raj Kapoor to meet Nargis and singing the song “Chhoti si yeh zindagani re…”

But this man’s versatility was best seen in Anuraag (1956), where he was the lead actor, singer, music director and producer of the movie!! The film is best remembered for the song “Kisse Yaad Rakhoon”.

On his non-film songs

Mukesh has sung some private songs and ghazals. I have heard of a few ghazals. However, I was not very impressed with the same. Probably, he had a voice that suited more filmi songs, be it be sad or romantic, rather than urdu heavy ghazals.

Probably the most creative work of Mukesh is the famous “Mukesh Ramayan” , an eight volume set, that he completed in 4 years, from 1973 to 1976.

On his Actors

In his 30+ years career, Mukesh has sung for almost all the actors who were somebody in that era. However, he is best remembered for his association with Raj Kapoor. From Aag to Mera Naam Joker, he has rendered his voice to this greatest showman in each and every movie, though not all songs, other than Andaaz.

Though there was no other constant and singled out association as Raj Kapoor, still he has given several memorable hits for Motilal (Pehli Nazar, Badal), Dillip Kumar (Aandaaz, Madhumati), Sunil Dutt (Milan) , Dev Anand (Bombay ka Babu), Manoj Kumar (Shor, Reshmi Rumal), Rajesh Khanna (Anand) and even Amitabh Bachchan (Kabhie Kabhie).

I think it his greatness that, even though he was not associated with any particular actor other than Raj Kapoor, still he sung quality songs for everyone.

On his Music Directors

Mukesh was patronized by Anil Biswas and Shankar Jaikishen. Still, when it came to singing soulful numbers, he was the most preferred voice for all music directors. He has given some of his biggest hits with SD Burman, Salil Chaudhury and Lakshmikanth Pyarelal.

Mukesh, the Soulful Voice

Mukeh was a pillar of singing. Definitely he was not as versatile as Mohd. Rafi or had the same level of classical ability as Manna Dey. Still he not only survived for decades, he ruled specific segments at Bollywood.

What was his secret?

Probably his greatest ability was to sing his heart out and touch the heart of the listener through that. He had a voice that had inherent melancholy in that. So when he sang “Aansoo bharie hai yeh jeevan ki raahe”, one could feel his heart bit. When he sung “Kal khel mein hum ho na ho…” one can really see the meaning and the future connotation in it.

Definitely he specialized in sad, soulful and meaningful numbers. But he was equally successful in romantic songs also. May it be the meaningful “Kabhie Kabhie” or the lose “Tauba Yeh Matwali Chaal”, he was excellent.

He reminded us of separation from beloved in “Saranga teri yaad mein” and he told us of relationships in “Chalri sajni ab kaa soche”…. He taught us the meaning of life in “Ek pyaar ka naghma hai” and he told us to be thankful to the almighty in “Yeh kaun chitrakar hai”… He made us feel happy with “Dam dam diga diga” and brought shivers to our body with “Aa ab laut chale…”

That is our Mukesh… a man, who is living in our hearts even 3 decades after his death…

We still love you Mukeshji…..All I want to say is.....

ik din bik jaayegaa, maati ke mol

koi nishaani chhod, phir duniyaa se gol..