By Jagmohan Singh Barhok
On His Birth Anniversary
कितने जलवे फ़िज़ाओं में बिखरे मगर
मैने अब तक किसी को पुकारा नहीं
तुमको देखा तो नज़रें ये कहने लगीं
हमको चेहरे से हटना गवारा नहीं
तुम अगर मेरी नज़रों के आगे रहो
मैं हर एक शह से नज़रें चुराता रहूँ,
तुम अगर साथ देने का वादा करो
मैं यूँही मस्त नग़मे लुटाता रहूं
Mahendra Kapoor was a known singer who predominantly lent his voice to Hindi films. An admirer of Mohammed Rafi, Kapoor came into limelight singing the high pitched memorable song “Chand chhupa aur tare dube rat gazab ki aayi, husn chala hai ishq se milne zulm ki badli chayi ho rat gazab ki aayi” in film Sohni Mahiwal (1958) featuring Bharat Bhushan & Nimmi followed by another scintillating number- “Aadha Hai Chandrama, Raat Aadhi” in V. Shantaram’s “Navrang” (1959) under the able guidance of composer C. Ramchander.
B. R. Chopra’s “Dhool Ka Phool” did wonders and brought the singer to rub shoulders with many front runners in the industry with hits like- “Tere Pyar Ka Aasra Chahta Hoon”, “Dhadakne Lagi Dil Ki Taaron Ki Duniya” & “Jhukti Ghata, Gaati Hawa” with Lata & Asha Bhosle respectively. His vibrantly high pitched voice and wide range of singing influenced Chopras and they repeated him in their upcoming films in 1960s like “Waqt”,”Din Hai Bahaar Ke Tere Mere Ikrar Ke” & later “Hamraaz” ( 1967) with songs like “Neele Gagan Ke Tale”, “Tum Agar Saath Dene Ka Vaada Karo”, “Na Munh Chhupaake Jeeyo” & “Kisi Patthar Ki Murat Se”. Both the films were box office hits.He was bestowed with Filmfare Award for Best Playback Singer in 1968 for his song” Neele Gagan Ke Tale”. The film won National & Filmfare Award for Best Cinematography for M.N. Malhotra.
Kapoor also became favourite of Manoj Kumar for whom he sang many hit numbers like- “Mere Desh Ki Dharti Sona Ugle” (Upkaar-1967 )& “Hai Prit Jaha Ki Rit Sada” , “Dulhan Chali, O Pahan Chali Tin Rang Ki Choli” (Purab Aur Paschim-1970).
Mahendra Kapoor’s duet with Rafi “Kaisi Haseen Aaj Baharon Ki Raat Hai” (Aadmi) was originally recorded in the voice of Talat-Rafi but since Manoj Kumar was also in the film he asked the producer to replace Talat with Mahendra Kapoor. I met the singer once at #Bandra, Mumbai in late 1980s. He was accompanied by his friends.
His other notable songs include the likes of “Iktara Bole” – Yaadgar (1970), “Jiske Sapne Hume Roz Aate Rahe” -( Geet-1970),”Aur Nahin Bas Aur Nahin” – (Roti Kapada Aur Makaan” (1974), “Andhere Mein Jo Baite Hain” – “Sambandh” (1982), & Title Song of tele serial “Mahabharat” (1988). He also lent his voice to several Marathi & Punjabi songs.
The Government of India honored him with Padma Shri in 1972. Kapoor won National Filmfare Award for Best Male Playback Singer for song – “Mere Desh Ki Dharti” – Upkar 1968, “Chalo Ek Bar Phir Se Ajnabi Ban Jayen” – Gumrah (1964) ,”Neele Gagan Ke Tale” – Hamraaz ( 1968) & “Aur Nahi Bus Aur Nahi” – Roti Kapda Aur Makaan ( 1975). Died 27 September 2008.
