Mukesh – The passionate singer of the last Century.
The 40s, 50s, 60s and 70s are categorised as the golden age of bollywood music and all the playback singers had made notable contribution for the success of the films made during that period. Mukesh had a sweet voice and his songs made notable contribution in most of the films of Raj Kapoor.
In the early 50s his songs in the film Awara, like “awara hoon,” “dum bhar jo udhar mu phere” were big hits. He had sung his major songs under the composition of Shankar Jaikishan as they had composed the maximum number of songs for Raj Kapoor. His other notable songs include “aja re”, “sub kuch sikha humne”, “ kisiki muskurahato pe ho nisar”, “ ai sanam jisne tujhe chand sa sura di hai”, etc. Salil Chowdhury also had liking for Mukesh. His songs include “dil tarap tarap ke kah raha hai aa bhi ja”, “ suhana safar” from Madhumati, 1958, “ kahi door jab din dhal jaye”, “maine tere liye hi saat rang ke”, etc., from Anand, 1970.
Other than singing in films of Raj Kapoor, Mukesh always made significant contribution in songs related to pathos, which were sung for different actors. Songs like “yeh mera diwanapan”, for Dilip Kumar, “sawan ka mahina”, for Sunil Dutt, “ taoba yeh matwali chal” for Manoj Kumar, etc., had a lasting impact even after 40 years of their creation. May be the passionate andaz of Mukesh use to touch the hearts of the listeners, and that was one of the reasons inspite of having nomajor classical background Mukesh’s songs ended up being major hits.
There was lot of truth in his voice and his singing which persuaded many composers and lyricists to compose songs for him. Songs like “chandan sa badan”, composed by Kalyanji Anandji,” “saranga teri yaad me”, composed by Sardar Mullick, “ aansoo bhari hai” composed by Dattaram, “bhuli hui yaaden” composed by Madan Mohan had the identity of being typical songs composed for Mukesh, where his realisation of the words and tragic spirit had helped him to do justice to the landmark creations. His other songs for Raj Kapoor include “ mera naam raju”, “ aa ab laut chale”, “ har dil jo pyar karega”, “duniya banana wale”, “ chalia mera naam”, “chale jana”, etc.
Mukesh also had made major contribution to filsm like Saathi, where for a change Rajender Kumar had given lips for his songs which were composed by Naushad. Khayyam’s soft tunes were given right expression by Mukesh in the film Kabhi Kabhi, 1975, in songs like “kabhi kabhi”, “mai pal do pal ka shayar hoon’, etc.
It is very difficult to highlight the contribution of the singing legend in a small article who had made major contribution to bollywood films for over 30 years. But there is no doubt that bollywood music would have remained incomplete without the contribution of Mukesh, which had galvanised the golden age of music along with major contributions from Mohammad Rafi, Kishore Kumar, Manna Dey, Talat Mehmood, Lata, Asha and others.
In the early 50s his songs in the film Awara, like “awara hoon,” “dum bhar jo udhar mu phere” were big hits. He had sung his major songs under the composition of Shankar Jaikishan as they had composed the maximum number of songs for Raj Kapoor. His other notable songs include “aja re”, “sub kuch sikha humne”, “ kisiki muskurahato pe ho nisar”, “ ai sanam jisne tujhe chand sa sura di hai”, etc. Salil Chowdhury also had liking for Mukesh. His songs include “dil tarap tarap ke kah raha hai aa bhi ja”, “ suhana safar” from Madhumati, 1958, “ kahi door jab din dhal jaye”, “maine tere liye hi saat rang ke”, etc., from Anand, 1970.
Other than singing in films of Raj Kapoor, Mukesh always made significant contribution in songs related to pathos, which were sung for different actors. Songs like “yeh mera diwanapan”, for Dilip Kumar, “sawan ka mahina”, for Sunil Dutt, “ taoba yeh matwali chal” for Manoj Kumar, etc., had a lasting impact even after 40 years of their creation. May be the passionate andaz of Mukesh use to touch the hearts of the listeners, and that was one of the reasons inspite of having nomajor classical background Mukesh’s songs ended up being major hits.
There was lot of truth in his voice and his singing which persuaded many composers and lyricists to compose songs for him. Songs like “chandan sa badan”, composed by Kalyanji Anandji,” “saranga teri yaad me”, composed by Sardar Mullick, “ aansoo bhari hai” composed by Dattaram, “bhuli hui yaaden” composed by Madan Mohan had the identity of being typical songs composed for Mukesh, where his realisation of the words and tragic spirit had helped him to do justice to the landmark creations. His other songs for Raj Kapoor include “ mera naam raju”, “ aa ab laut chale”, “ har dil jo pyar karega”, “duniya banana wale”, “ chalia mera naam”, “chale jana”, etc.
Mukesh also had made major contribution to filsm like Saathi, where for a change Rajender Kumar had given lips for his songs which were composed by Naushad. Khayyam’s soft tunes were given right expression by Mukesh in the film Kabhi Kabhi, 1975, in songs like “kabhi kabhi”, “mai pal do pal ka shayar hoon’, etc.
It is very difficult to highlight the contribution of the singing legend in a small article who had made major contribution to bollywood films for over 30 years. But there is no doubt that bollywood music would have remained incomplete without the contribution of Mukesh, which had galvanised the golden age of music along with major contributions from Mohammad Rafi, Kishore Kumar, Manna Dey, Talat Mehmood, Lata, Asha and others.
Good article and a timely one too on the great singer Mukesh. He almost ran neck-to-neck with the likes of Rafi Sahab and matched him in many moods. But Mukesh was known more for his 'sad' songs than the 'romantic' ones, though there is no dearth of them too. His voice was always so fresh and crisp and did not falter in the diction. Although not trained in classical singing, Mukesh has to his credit several classical songs also - Mujhe Tumse Kuch Bhi Na Chahiye for e.g. He lagged only behind Rafi Sahab but is a singer reverred and liked by all. Thanks for the article which should be preserved just as the legendary singer's works should.
ReplyDeleteMukesh was a very cultured singer. His character was evident in his singing, an example can be "chandan sa badan", or "dost dost na raha". The ability to give expression to tragic situations has made him immortal. He commands lot of respect in the musical community.
ReplyDeleteChitta Ranjan Chatterji.
Mukesh always reminded people of pathos, tragedy,etc. Whenever we hear "ek pyar ka nagma hai", "kabhi kabhi mere dil me", we forget the fact whether he had clasical training or not, we just appreciate the song and fel that he had given right expression to the lyrics and compostion of the master creaters.
ReplyDeleteRumi Chatterji.
It was only yesterday that we three friends were discussing all the great legends of yesteryears, Mukesh, Rafi Sahab, Kishoreda, Talat Mahmood, Lataji and Ashaji etc. While on the topic of Mukesh, it was clear that all of us agreed Mukesh to be versatile in singing the 'saddest' of sad songs. But there are a few of his 'most romantic' songs that need mentioning. For instance, from Pathar Ke Sanam, the teasing solo "tauba yeh matwali chaal" has enough romantic punches in the stanzas like (1) Hun mein bhi diwanon ka ik shahzada, tujhe dekhr ho gaya kuch ziyada and (2) Sitam yeh adaon ki raanaiyan hai, kayamat hai kya teri angadaiyan hai, etc. Then there duets like "yeh kisne geet chheda, dil mera gaya tharak, tharak, tharak" where Mukesh's ability to be also a romantic singer were amply notable.
ReplyDeleteIt was only yesterday that we three friends were discussing all the great legends of yesteryears, Mukesh, Rafi Sahab, Kishoreda, Talat Mahmood, Lataji and Ashaji etc. While on the topic of Mukesh, it was clear that all of us agreed Mukesh to be versatile in singing the 'saddest' of sad songs. But there are a few of his 'most romantic' songs that need mentioning. For instance, from Pathar Ke Sanam, the teasing solo "tauba yeh matwali chaal" has enough romantic punches in the stanzas like (1) Hun mein bhi diwanon ka ik shahzada, tujhe dekhr ho gaya kuch ziyada and (2) Sitam yeh adaon ki raanaiyan hai, kayamat hai kya teri angadaiyan hai, etc. Then there duets like "yeh kisne geet chheda, dil mera gaya tharak, tharak, tharak" where Mukesh's ability to be also a romantic singer were amply notable.
ReplyDeleteLegends are associatedwith their characteristics. When people think about Kishore his enthusiusm, comedy skills, improvisations, strike everyone, when people think about Manna Dey, his classical control strikes everyone, similarly Mukesh is known for soft, decent nature which suits tragic songs. It does not mean he did not sing other types of songs.He was sublime in "maine tere liye hi saat rang ke sapne chune" from Anand.
ReplyDeleteSouvik Chatterji.
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ReplyDeleteall ohter singers are only singer but mukesh is addiction rather than singer.
ReplyDelete