Mukesh

Mukesh, a man with the golden voice, was the jewel of the Music industry. Mukesh was one amongst the best playback singers of Indian Film Industry. Born on July 22, 1923 in Delhi, Mukesh Chandra Mathur was popularly known as Mukesh. He was born to Zoravar Chandra Mathur in a middle class family. Since childhood, Mukesh was fond of acting and singing. He attended the school till the tenth standard. After leaving school, he worked in Delhi Department of Public Works for sometime. During this period of work, Mukesh conducted voice recording tests. His singing abilities progressed slowly and steadily.

Once, when Mukesh sang a song at his sister's marriage, his voice came into the notice of Motilal (a famous actor in Hindi movies). Mukesh went to Mumbai with Motilal and the latter aligned training of singing for him. At this time, Mukesh got his first break in acting with the Hindi movie 'Nirdosh' (1941). He got a chance to sing, for the first time in 'Pehli Nazar' (1945). "Dil Jalta Hai to Jalne De" was the first song that he sang for a Hindi movie and was picturised on Motilal fortuitously. This song brought a drastic change in the career-graph of Mukesh. He became popular like anything.

In 1949, he got in touch with Raj Kapoor and the duo of Shankar-Jaikishen. Mukesh is notorious for the songs that he sang with the direction of Shankar-Jaikishen for Raj Kapoor. Songs like "Aawara Hoon" and "Mera Joota hai Japani" reverberated in the streets of India and abroad. Subsequently after 'Awara' proved to be a big hit, Mukesh marginalized from singing to acting. He acted in the films like 'Mashuqa' (1953) and 'Anurag' (1956). Both the movies made a major hit at the box-office.

Mukesh came back to the singing panorama with the song "Yeh Mera Deewanapan Hai" of the movie 'Yahudi' (1958). During the period of 1860's & mid 1970s, Mukesh amplified and reached the forte of his career. He gave some of the best songs like Jeena Yahaan Marna Yahaan (Mera Naam Joker), Maine Tere Liye hi Saat Rang ke Sanpne Chune (Anand), Main Na Bhoolonga (Roti, Kapda Aur Makan) and Kabhie Kabhie (Kabhie Kabhie) of his singing career.

Kisee Ki Muskuraahaton Pe Ho Nisaar (Anari), O Janewale Ho Sake To Laut Ke Aanaa (Bandini), Dost Dost Naa Rahaa (Sangam), Jaane Kahaan Gaye Wo Din (Mera Naam Joker) and Ek Din Bik Jaayega (Dharam Karam) are some of the memorable songs sung by Mukesh. In 1959, Mukesh received the Film fare Award of Best Male Playback Singer for "subkuchh seekha humne" (Anari). Following it, he received Film fare Award for Best Male Playback Singer in 1970, 1972 and 1976 for the movie 'Pehchan', 'Beimaan' and 'Kabhi Kabhi' respectively.

"Chanchal Sheetal Nirmal Komal" from the movie 'Satyam Shivam Sundaram' was the last recorded song of Mukesh. While he was on a concert tour in the United States, he left the corporeal world after a sudden heart attack in Detroit on 27th August 1976. The funeral procession of the legendary singer and actor took place in India with due tribute by the actors and personalities of Indian Film Industry. The great soul is resting in peace; still his memories can never be separated from the hearts of people.