KOLKATA: Mukesh, whose memorable song “Jeena yahaan, marna yahaan, iske sivaa, jaana kahaan” still a hit with audiences even today, would have celebrated his 96th birthday, had he been alive.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee fondly remembered the legendary singer on the occasion
“Jeena yahaan, marna yahaan, iske sivaa, jaana kahaan” Fondly remembering Mukesh, legendary singer, on his birth anniversary,” Ms Banerjee posted on her social networking page.
Mukesh Chand Mathur better known as Mukesh was born on this day in 1923 will always be remembered for his unforgettable contribution to the Bollywood film industry.
Along with Mohammad Rafi, Manna Deyand Kishore Kumar, he was one of the most popular and legendary singers of his era. Mukesh was also popular as being the voice of the actor Raj Kapoor, Manoj Kumar, Feroz Khan and Sunil Dutt.
Before making a career in singing, Mukesh made his acting debut in the film ‘Nirdosh’ in the year 1941. He also sang “Dil Hi Bujha Hua Ho To” for the movie.
Mukesh’s voice was first noticed by a distant relative, Motilal, when he sang at his sister’s wedding. Motilal then took him to Mumbai and arranged for singing lessons by Pandit Jagannath Prasad.
The legendary singer got his break as a playback singer in 1945 with the film Pehli Nazar. The first song that he sang for a Hindi film was “Dil Jalta Hai To Jalne De” with music composed by Anil Biswas and lyrics written by Aah Sitapuri.
Mukesh was known to be the “voice of greatest showman of Indian cinema Raj Kapoor”, and with songs like “Jeena yahan marna yahan” and “dost dost na raha”, his melodious voice is etched in our hearts forever. Mukesh is famous for his songs from Andaz (1949), Awara, Barsaat, Shree 420, Anari, Chhalia, Mera Naam Joker, among other Raj Kapoor movies.
Kabhi Kabhi, the title track ofAmitabh Bachchan and Rakhee starrer Yash Chopra’s movie, is one of the very famous songs by the late singer.
Mukesh created his own singing style with the help of music director Naushad Ali, who helped Mukesh to come out of his K L Saigal style and create his own style. Naushad gave him songs for the film Andaz.
Initially Mukesh was the ghost voice of Dilip Kumarin this movie and Mohammed Rafi sang for Raj Kapoor. He delivered many Hits for Naushad in films like: Anokhi Ada (1948), Mela (1948), Andaz (1949).
Other composers who used Mukesh voice for great Dilip Kumar in Hit songs like Jeevan Sapna toot gaya were Anil Biswas in Anokha Pyar, Ye Mera Diwanapan hai, Shankar-Jaikishan in Yahudi and Suhana Safar and Dil Tadap Tadap ke, Salil Choudhary in Madhumati.
However, later Dilip Kumar choose Rafi as his ghost voice and Mukesh became the ghost voice of Raj Kapoor.
In 1974, Mukesh received National Film Award for Best Male Playback Singer for the song “Kai Baar Yuhi Dekha Hai” from Rajnigandha (1974), and Filmfare Awards for the songs “Sab Kuch Seekha Humne” in the movie Anari (1959), “Sabse Bada Naadan Wahi Hai” in Pehchaan (1970), “Jai Bolo Beimaan Ki” in Beimaan (1972) and “Kabhi Kabhie Mere Dil Mein”, the title song of film Kabhie Kabhie (1976).
A total of around 1,300 songs were sung by him. This number is less than those sung by some of his contemporaries, but the fact is that Mukesh emphasised on quality rather than quantity. The comparatively fewer songs sung by him in the 1970s can be attributed to both the Kishore wave and his failing health due to his worsening heart problem.
Out of the numerous songs he gave his voice to,Kahin door jab din dhal Jaaye from Anand(1971),Ek Pyaar ka Nagma hai from Shor(1972),Maine Tere Liye Hi Saat Rang Ke from Anand(1972),Sab Kuch Seekha Humne from Anari(1959),Jeena yahan marna yahanand Kehta hai Joker from Mera Naam Joker(1970) are the most popular among his fans and followers[6]
Mukesh died of a heart attack on August 27, 1976 in Detroit, Michigan, US, where he had gone to perform in a concert.
(AGENCIES)
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