By Dr. M.S. Natashekar

Exactly 100 years ago (22.7.1923), a legend was born in Delhi who is none other than Mukesh Chand Mathur, popularly known as Mukesh. Out of 10 children, Mukesh was 6th child. From his childhood, his inclination was towards music.

During the marriage of the elder sister, Mukesh was entertaining his relatives with his songs when Motilal, a known actor and relative of Mukesh discovered his talent, brought him to Bombay and introduced him to Music Directors. Mukesh was just a 17-year-old boy.

Since Mukesh was very handsome, he was given roles to act in several films like Nirdosh, Mashooka, Anurag etc. But as an actor, he did not succeed and destiny made him a singer. Rest is history.

The first super hit song of Mukesh “Dil Jalta Hai To Jalne De” from film Pehli Nazar (1945) became so popular that thousands of music lovers laid bets as to who sang the song. So effectively had Mukesh cloned his hero K.L. Saigal who was confused after listening to the song and exclaimed, “I don’t remember singing this song.” Such was the striking similarity of Mukesh to that of Saigal. It is said that Music Director Naushad weaned Mukesh’s Saigalesque style and prompted him to develop his own style of singing. The soft brooding vocals of Mukesh truly made him a soulful singer.

Mukesh sang for Raj Kapoor in his first movie Neel Kamal. “Zinda Hoon Is Tarah Ke Game” from film Aag (1947) directed by Raj Kapoor, sung by Mukesh became second hit song after “Dil Jalta Hai.”

During the making of film Barsaat in 1949, talented personalities joined together who ruled Hindi music industry for 22 years till 1971. They were actor Raj Kapoor, Singer Mukesh, Lyricist Hasrat Jaipuri and Shailendra, Music Directors Shankar and Jaikishan. The union of these legends resulted in the progeny of innumerable hits like “Sajan re Jhoot mat bolo,” “Ruk ja wo Janewali,” “Awara  hoon,” “Mera Joota hai Japani” and many more. Even today Russians hum “Awara Hoon” and “Mera Joota hai Japani.”

Mukesh had become the voice of Charlie Chaplin of India and the biggest showman of India, that is, Raj Kapoor. They were like two sides of the same coin. Raj Kapoor was body and Mukesh his soul. Anup Jalota says “it is impossible to state, who was made for whom. Mukesh for Raj Kapoor or vice versa.”

In his 35 years of singing career (1941 to 1976) till his death, Mukesh has sung 1,054 songs in 12 languages out of which 531 are Hindi songs.

Mukesh has sung maximum number of duets with Lata Mangeshkar. Their relationship was like that of a brother and sister. She used to call him as Mukesh bhaiya and even though Lata was younger to him, Mukesh used to address her as Lata didi.

Although Singer Mohammed Rafi was at his peak, Hemanth Kumar, Talat Mehmood, Manna Dey had their quota of songs, Mukesh carved his niche in 50s and 60s in Hindi film industry.

Mukesh and melancholy were synonymous. The vast majority of songs by Mukesh were in blue moods, touching the hearts of millions. He has sung for almost all heroes of yesteryears like Dilip Kumar, Sunil Dutt, Manoj Kumar, Jitendra, Dharmendra etc. He has sung maximum number of songs for Music Director Shankar Jaikishan, but other stalwarts like Kalyanji Anandji, Laxmikanth Pyarelal, R.D. Burman, S.D. Burman, Madan Mohan, O.P Nayyar, too utilised his voice.

Mukesh received several awards, to mention a few, “Sub Kuch Seekha Humne” from film Anadi and National award for song “Kai Baar Yoon Bhi Dekha Hai” from film Rajnigandha.

I was one fortunate among Mysureans, who witnessed Mukesh’s live programme at J.K. Grounds in November 1972.

The last song recorded by Mukesh was “Chanchal, Sheetal, Nirmal, Komal” from film Satyam Shivam Sundaram. Soon after recording this song, he left for a musical concert tour of USA with Lata. During concert, he had a massive heart attack and reached heavenly abode on 27th August 1976. On hearing the demise of Mukesh, Raj Kapoor broke down and said, “I have lost my voice.” Through his unique voice, Mukesh has remained in the hearts of his fans all over the world.

As a tribute to Mukesh, I have recorded 100 songs and have uploaded it on my YouTube channel

https://youtube.com /@DrNatashekar.

[An ENT Specialist, Dr. M.S. Natashekar himself is a singer who has performed at various musical nites including Geeth Gaatha Chal]