Mukesh,the master singer

By: Vidya S M

He projected emotions, raw emotions that could leave an impact for a lifetime, just in those few minutes that took to record a song. His voice had that deep innocence and extraordinary sweetness. Whatever be the situation, his singing would merge so well, that anybody would be caught in his spell. Mukesh, the most soothing singer of yester years,

Mukesh Chand Mathur, Mukesh for short, was born to a middle class family in Delhi. None other than the leading actor of those years Motilal recognized his talent. A far relative to Mukesh, Motilal, was very much impressed by this young man's voice. He personally took interest in this young man took him to Mumbai and was given training under Pundit Jaganath Prasad.

As a singer, his first break came with the song 'Dil jalta hai to Jalne de', from the movie Pehli Nazar in 1945, picturised on Motilal himself.

Accused of imitating K. L. Saigal, Mukesh created his own style, from the films made by Naushad like Mela and Andaaz. Especially in Andaaz his solo numbers 'Tu Kahe Agar', 'Jhoom Jhoom ke Naacho Aaj', 'Hum Aaj Kahin Dil Kho Baite', 'Toote na Dil Toote na' became great hits and the song of despair 'Zinda Hoon Is Tarah', from Aag, literally made people cry.

Later Mukesh teamed with Raj Kapoor and went on to sing songs for his movies. This team became an extended team with Shankar- Jaikishen, Shailendra and Hasrat Jaipuri.

All these people became accountable for some of the most memorable hits in the Hindi film industry. The songs 'Mera Joota Hai Japani' (Shree 420), 'Kisi ki Muskurahaton pe ho Nissar' (Anadi), 'Dost, Dost Na Raha' (Sangam), 'Jaane Kahan Gaye Woh Din' (Mera Naam Joker), sung with all the emotions and intonations proves that nobody can match this great singer

He was in peak of the career, as a singer when he decided to become an actor and this decision of his became one of the disastrous one. He played the lead in the films like Mashuqa with Suraiya, Anuraag with Usha Kiron, but both the films didn't make much of the news and bombed in the box office. Way back in 1941 he had tried his hand in acting in a film called Nirdosh, even that went unnoticed.

With an unsuccessful career as an actor he came back to playback singing. He got his second break with 'Yeh Mera Deewanapan Hai' from Yahudi and thereafter he went in to sing in films like Madhumati, Parvarish and Phir Subah hogi. S.D. Burman actually wrote two songs 'Chal ri Sajni' from Bombay ka Babu (1960) and 'O Jaanewaale Ho Sake To Laut ke Aana' from Bandini (1963), just for Mukesh to sing in his gentle voice.

He became the most wanted singer of 60's and 70's with most number of hits like 'Jeena Yahaan Marna Yahaan', 'Maine Tere Liye hi Saat Rang ke Sanpne Chune', 'Main na Bhoolonga', 'Main Pal do Pal ka Shayar Hoon' and 'Kabhie Kabhie'.

His death came as a shock to most of Indians when he died of heart attack, while he had gone for a concert in the US. He died on 27th august 1976, leaving behind his memorable songs for the Hindi film industry.