By Jagmohan Singh Barhok
ऐसे वीराने में इक दिन, घुट के मर जाएंगे हम
जितना जी चाहे पुकारो, फिर नहीं आएंगे हम
ये मेरा दीवानापन है
Mukesh Chand Mathur needs no introduction as a singer of yore. A favorite of Raj Kapoor camp Mukesh lent his voice to many including Manoj Kumar. was He had developed a passion for singing & music since childhood and often practiced it in leisure. After High Schooling the lad did some odd jobs and started learning various sinews of music slowly though steadily. Actor Moti Lal was reportedly his distant relative. He saw sparks and urge for music in the boy & took him to Bombay for pastures new. He got him a film as an actor-singer titled ” Nirdosh” ( 1941) for which he also sang a song. His maiden film song as a singer, however, was “Jil Jalta Hai To Jalnne Do” from ” Pehli Nazar” under the baton Anil Biswas. Mukesh idolized the then celebrated singer K. L. Sehgal and often imitated his style of singing. K. L. Sehgal was stunned when he heard the song, reacting” I do not remember ever singing this number”
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It was in this background that he got in touch with music maestro Naushad who taught him the intricacies of music and told him to sing in his natural voice. He rendered his voice in ” Anokhi Ada” & ” Mela” ( 1948) and ” Andaz” ( 1949) featuring Raj Kapoor, Dilip Kumar & Nargis. It proved a box office hit. Rest is the history. In the days that followed he found a haven in RK Banner and became a ghost singer for Raj Kapoor. Redolence and pathos were his forte as a singer. Some of his prominent songs include the likes of “Sab Kuch Seekha Humne” film ‘Anari’, “Ruk Ja O Jaane Wali Ruk Jaa, Mein To Rahi” & ” Yaad Aai Adhi Raat ko Kal Raat Ki Toba”, film ‘Kanhaiya'(1959), O Jaane Wale Ho Sake To Laut Ke Aana” film ‘Bandini’ ( 1963) under the musical score S. D. Burman ” Juban Pe Dard Bhari Daast Chali Aai” film ‘Maryada’ (1971), ” Maine Tere Liye He Saat Rang Ke Sapne Chune” & ” Kahin Door Jab Din Dhal Jaye” film ‘Anand’ ( 1971) & “Ek Pyaar Ka Nagma Hai,Maujon Ki Rawani Hai”- film ‘Shor’ ( 1972) were liked by his fans and followers in millions. Mukesh did most songs under the music score of Shankar Jaikishan (133),followed by Kalyanji Anandji ( 99)..His three out of four Filmfare Awards were from films “Anari”,” Pehchan” & “Be-Imaan” with music composed by Shankar Jaikishan. The 4th award was from film ” Kabhie Kabhie” ( 1996) under the music score by late Khayaam. He earned National Film Award for Best Male Playback Singer for the song “Kai Baar Yuhi Dekha Hai” from film Rajnigandha. He was also nominated 12 times for Filmfare Best Singer Award.
It would be injustice with the singer if we did not mention some of his most popular numbers like” Mera Joota Hai Japani”, “Awara Hoon”, “Yeh mera Deewanapan Hai”, “Dum Dum Deega Deega Mausam Bheega Bheega Bin Piye”,” Laakhon Taare Aasmaan Mein Ek Magar “, and last but least “Jeena Yahan Marna Yahan Iske Siva Jana Kahan”.
