Mukesh was a singer of the masses. His simple and hummable songs reflected the hopes and aspiration of the common men. And that explains the immense popularity of his songs. Mukesh started his career as a singer-actor with the film ‘Nirdosh’ in 1941. But he struggled for 4 years & eventually the song ‘Dil jalta hai to jalne de’ brought him into limelight. This song is referred to in ’Gadar-Ek Prem Katha’, which was set in the 1940’s.
Mukesh rose like a meteor and sang as many as one hundred and thirty songs between 1948 & 1951. It was his good looks that brought about his downfall. His acting aspirations gave the impression that he wasn’t interested in playback singing. Between 1952 and 1958 Mukesh sang 55 songs compared to Mohammad Rafi’s 823 songs. The success of his song ‘Ye mera diwanapan hai’ in ‘Yahudi’ in 1958 brought Mukesh into reckoning once again but the damage done to his career could not be repaired. And that accounts for his just about 1000 songs in the career of 35 years.
My favourite Mukesh numbers(In alphabetical order)
Aa Ab Laut Chalein - Jis Desh Mein Ganga Behti Hai(1961) - Shankar Jaikishan
Ansoo Bhari Hai Yeh Jeevan Ki Raahein - Parvarish(1958) - Datta Ram
Awara Hoon - Awara(1951) - Shankar Jaikishan
Chanchal Sheetal Nirmal Komal - Satyam Shivam Sundaram(1978) - Laxmikant Pyarelal
Chandan Sa Badan - Saraswati Chandra(1968) - Kalyanji Anandji
Dost Dost Na Raha - Sangam(1964) - Shankar Jaikishan
Ek Din Bik Jaayega Maati Ke Mol - Dharam Karam(1975) - R.D.Burman
Ek Pyar Ka Nagma Hai - Shor(1972) - Laxmikant Pyarelal
Jaane Kahan Gaye Woh Din - Mera Naam Joker(1970) - Shankar Jaikishan
Jai Bolo Beimaan Ki - Beimaan(1972) - Shankar Jaikishan
Kabhi Kabhie Mere Dil Mein Khayal - Kabhi Kabhie(1976) - Khayyam
Kahin Door Jab Din Dhal Jaaye - Anand(1970) - Salil Chaudhary
Mera Joota Hai Japani - Shri 420(1955)- Shankar Jaikishan
Mera Rang De Basanti Chola - Shaheed(1965) - Prem Dhawan
Mujhko Is Raat Ki Tanhai Mein - Dil Bhi Tera Hum Bhi Tere(1960) - Kalyanji Anandji
Oh Re Taal Mile Nadi Ke Jal Mein - Anokhi Raat(1968) - Roshan
O Jaane Wale Ho Sake To Laut Ke Aana - Bandini(1963) - S.D.Burman
Saawan Ka Mahina - Milan(1967) - Laxmikant Pyarelal
Sab Kuch Seekha Humne - Anari(1959) - Shankar Jaikishan
Sajan Re Jhooth Mat Bolo - Teesri Kasam(1966) - Shankar Jaikishan
Saranga Teri Yaad Mein - Saranga(1960) - Sardar Malik
Suhana Safar Aur Yeh Mausam Haseen - Madhumati(1958) - Salil Chaudhary
Tauba Yeh Matwali Chaal - Patthar Ke Sanam(1967) - Laxmikant Pyarelal
Yeh Din Kya Aaye Lage Phool Hansne - Chhoti Si Baat(1976) - Salil Chaudhary
Yeh Mera Deewanapan Hai - Yahudi(1958) - Shankar Jaikishan
Zindagi Khwab Hai - Jagte Raho(1956) - Salil Chaudhary
Mukesh passed away on 27th August 1976. With the passage of time, music has became more flashy and ostentatious. Mukesh’s songs appeared to be peaceful islands in the turbulent ocean of sound. Jaane Kahan Gaye Woh Din .
Next review on 20 Best Songs of Mohammad Rafi.