Latest Interview of Mahendra Kapoor .. - Page 3

Notes of destiny

Say cheese ...Singer Mahendra Kapoor with daughter Bennu and son Rohan. FEELING PATRIOTIC, recall "Mere Desh Ki Dharti", if mush is taking over, then flirt with "Huzoor Is Tarah Bhi Na Itra Ke Chaliye" and if melancholy is refusing to go away, hum along "Kisi Pathar Ki Moorat Se". The list is long but the voice is the same, the timeless Mahendra Kapoor, the playback singer who didn't allow his heavy baritone to become an impediment in his career, the father who didn't force his profession on his kids. "I was born into a family of cloth merchants. They never stopped me pursuing my interest, so I followed the same," says Kapoor. If his daughter Bennu Kapoor, now Bennu Seagull, took the designer route to be in the public eye, his son Rohan Kapoor chose to don grease paint. "Recently, I was travelling by air and an airhostess greeted me. I was surprised, rather happy that the young generation recognises me. But the surprise was short-lived because she asked if I was the father of Bennu. The incident gave me so much satisfaction. A father always wants his kids to make their name in their field and I feel if it's of their choice. It is all the better." Proud father Mahendra relates that Bennu was an extrovert from childhood while Rohan was always shy and introverted. "She was always fond of good clothes. When she wanted to be a designer, coming from a conservative family, I didn't like the idea much but I allowed her to pursue her hobby. And as luck would have it, she got married into a business family who are into textiles. She got good support and blossomed into a fashion designer. But I really like the way she manages home, keeps fasts and prays regularly together with her profession," a proud father says. Mahendra holds fate responsible for his son's failure as an actor. "Look he was launched with a Yash Chopra film Faasle and it happens to be the only flop from the Chopra stable. It was followed by Love 86, which made Govinda a star but could not do wonders for Rohan. Also, he is quite a simpleton for this industry and so he happily joined me in singing." According to Bennu, her brother has acquired this trait from his father. "My father has always been simple, straightforward and hardworking. He never put in a word for me so that I could get clients from the industry. He still practises for long hours and has an amazing voice." She says songs of Nagin and Nikaah are still etched in her memory. "But I never wanted to be singer. From childhood, I am a stylist. My school bag used to stand out in the class. I believe I have an eye for fashion." Does her father love to wear clothes designed by her? "Of course. In terms of clothes he is quite colourful. He doesn't mind sporting a red shirt. I make kurta pyjamas, sherwanis and shawls for him." Already a known name in Mumbai, Bennu now wants to enter the Delhi market. She participated in the recent Bride and Groom Exhibition here and will soon be showcasing her designs in the Femina India show. "I think the kind of heavy stuff I love to make will suit the taste of Delhiites. I am going to sell from Kimaya as well." Crooning bhajans Mahendra, on the other hand, disillusioned with the kind of music the film industry is producing, is concentrating on bhajan albums. "They are not creating the melody and spoiling the existing ones through remixes. It hurts. I am doing stage shows with Rohan, and soon Rohan would be out with an album of romantic songs." As for the legacy, the freedom to choose your calling continues in the family. "One of my grandsons seems inclined. Let's hope," sums up Mahendra.

Copyright 2000 - 2006 The Hindu

Thanks Qwest Ji for the article 😊 😊

Remixes upset Mahendra Kapoor
Tribune News Service

"Chalo ek bar phir se ajnabi ban jayeen hum dono'', the Filmfare award winning number from the B.R. Chopra's film "Gumrah" is close to legendary playback singer Mahendra Kapoor's heart. His soul-stirring voice still moves the Hindi music lovers but the deteriorating standard of the Indian music makes him a gloomy man.

Talking to the TNS, the singing icon said there was nothing wrong with the remix numbers if done with dignity. "If a singer sings the old numbers without butchering the original composition as was attempted by Asha didi in her album dedicated to Pancham da, I accept it. But the ongoing trend is not fair,'' he says. He was in the town to perform at a devotional programme in the memory of Baba Tara temple here.

His first number "aadha hai chandrama raat aadhi'' from the classic "Navrang" had made him a star overnight. He had a long-lasting rapport with filmmakers like B.R.Chopra and Manoj Kumar and also with poets like Sahir. He recorded his first song in 1957 and never looked back. Still young at heart at 70, the veteran singer is cutting a sufiana album. He is, however, not keen to sing for movies any longer, as he feels contented with singing devotional songs.

Talking in chaste English and Punjabi, Kapoor got nostalgic while talking about the golden era of Indian film music. "Those were the days when I got a chance to work with legends like Rafi phaji, Manna Dey, Talat Mehmood, Lataji, Asha didi besides others,'' he adds. Born at Amritsar, his father shifted to Mumbai when he was only a month old to manage the garment business. "I did not face any difficulty in joining the film industry as my passion for singing was never suppressed by my family though it was considered to be an untouchable profession at the time.''

While talking about his association with Rafi saab, he got emotional. "Rafi saab always asked me to remain humble as he said success is only due to His blessing. I still try to follow this lesson,'' he says. On one occasion, he added, Rafi saab asked me to come to the rooftop at around 4 am and asked me to offer prayers. He rubbed his nose nine times against the floor as a mark of gratitude for God's blessings.

Impressed and inspired by Mohammad Rafi, Kapoor made him his guru after tying the traditional ganda-taviz. "Since Rafi saab too belonged to Amritsar, our families had good relations and he always encouraged me to take training in classical music. Initially, I took training from B.M. Vyas ji, the elder brother of legendary Bharat Vyas.''

Recalling another instance, he said after the success of the movie "Baiju Bawra", a band of fans approached Rafi saab for autographs but he did not understand it. "Rafi phaji enquired from me what the crowd wanted from him and I told him that they wanted his name in their respective diaries. The simple soul, Rafi saab told me sign his name and I followed his instructions and it worked.''

Mahendra Kapoor is indeed one of the best.

Please refer to a thread on Mahendra Kapoor which I had started a few days back.
https://www.india-forums.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=299480&KW=he +deserves

Originally posted by: ankita31

"kaisi haseen raat" was actually sung by rafi and talat mahmood...not by mahendra kapoor...talats voice kept ringing in my ears(while trying to remember the lyrics.....SO I crosschecked😊

ankita31 ji,
KB ji is correct... The LP release is Rafi-Talat but the film version has Rafi-Mahendra Kapoor...

I thought I had read about this earlier in the morning...
Here's some background info on that song from Aadmi (same thread, Page 2 from the article posted by Qwest ji)...

When a song picturisation in 'Admi' (1968) was held up during Rafi's sojourn abroad, Naushad was compelled to record 'Na admi ka kol bharosa'ln the voice of Kapoor. But before the picturisation Rafi suddenly returned and, as a consequence, Naushad changed the tune and recorded 'Na admika' In the voice of Rafi. This episode piqued Manoj Kapoor who in retaliation refused to accept Talat's voice in 'Kaisi haseen raat' (a duet with Rafi) in 'Admi'. As a result Naushad had to record the song with Kapoor and Rafi. But Naushad in turn insisted on issuing the record (78 rpm) only in the voice of Talat.

There is another very nice romantic song by Mahendra kapoor from film Humraz

Tum agar saath dene ka vada karo main yunhi mast nagme sunata rahun

There is absolutely no comparison between Rafi and Mahendra Kapoor. Wonder why Rafi thought their voices were similar. 😕 Must be a case of a diamond not knowing its own worth.

OPN used MK only because he had a tiff with Rafi. Ravi is said to have used MK only because the producer wanted it that way (Nasir Hussain, I think). Rafi was Ravi's first choice.

Anyway, Mahendra Kapoor got a chance to sing for whatever reasons, and got to be mentioned along with the greats.

Originally posted by: punjini

There is absolutely no comparison between Rafi and Mahendra Kapoor. Wonder why Rafi thought their voices were similar. 😕 Must be a case of a diamond not knowing its own worth.

OPN used MK only because he had a tiff with Rafi. Ravi is said to have used MK only because the producer wanted it that way (Nasir Hussain, I think). Rafi was Ravi's first choice.

Anyway, Mahendra Kapoor got a chance to sing for whatever reasons, and got to be mentioned along with the greats.

There is no comparison between Mohd Rafi and Mahendra Kapoor,but Mahendra Kapoor does have some very nice songs to his credit.

Thanks Dawn, I am glad to be back too, even though it is on a Mahendra Kapoor thread.