In the grand tapestry of entertainment, few threads shimmer as brightly as the voice of Mukesh. He was a singer whose melodies, like “Ek Din Bik Jayega, Mati Ke Mol,” still echo in our hearts. His voice made songs like “Jeena Yahan Marna Yahan,” “Duniya Banane Wale Kya Tere Man Mein Samayi,” “Dost-Dost Na Raha,” and “Mera Juta Hai Japani” household anthems. Though he’s no longer with us, his songs keep his spirit alive. It’s his birth anniversary, a perfect time to revisit some lesser-known tales of this incredible artist.
Mukesh was born on July 22, 1923, in Delhi. He was the sixth of ten children in a large family. From a young age, Mukesh dreamed of singing. His older sister loved to sing, and a guru would visit to teach her. Mukesh would hide and listen to these lessons. He secretly practiced and sang film songs. This is how his inner singer awoke.
His father, Zorawar Chand Mathur, wanted him to be a civil engineer. Mukesh even worked for the Public Works Department after finishing matriculation. Yet, his dream of becoming a singer persisted. One day, he saw an advertisement in the newspaper. It called for artists in Mumbai. He packed his bags and moved there. It took him five years to find success in the bustling city.
His first big break came unexpectedly. Mukesh was singing K.L. Saigal songs at his sister’s wedding. Some film industry people were present. They loved his voice. They approached his father, asking to give Mukesh work in films. His father agreed. Mukesh sang and acted in the 1941 film ‘Nirdosh.’ The movie, however, flopped. Those who had offered him the work walked away.
Mukesh – Photo: Amar UjalaThe year 1943 brought another chance. Mukesh sang “Dil Jalta Hai” for his cousin Motilal’s film, ‘Pehli Nazar.’ Director Mazhar Khan was unsure about the song. He thought a serious song wouldn’t suit Motilal’s playful image. He even said he’d remove it after a week if audiences didn’t like it. But Mukesh’s song resonated deeply with the public. From that moment, Mukesh never looked back.
Mukesh was not just a singer; he was also a film producer. In his era, he had the rare power to make films successful with his voice alone. He produced the 1951 film ‘Malhar.’ He sang the songs himself, with help from Lata Mangeshkar. The film didn’t have big-name actors. Still, it became a massive hit, solely because its songs were so popular.
People often believed Mukesh couldn’t sing classical music. He got a chance to prove them wrong. He arrived at the studio in a Mercedes to record a classical song. Other classical singers already there wondered aloud to Kalyanji-Anandji, the music directors, why they traveled by bus while Mukesh drove a luxury car. Mukesh then recorded “Chandan Sa Badan, Chanchal Chitwan.” Afterward, Kalyanji-Anandji simply explained that if Mukesh could sing classical without formal training, he certainly deserved his Mercedes.
In the 1950s, a common belief was that Mukesh’s voice only suited actor Raj Kapoor. Mukesh wanted to challenge this idea. He got an opportunity in Dilip Kumar’s film ‘Madhumati.’ Director Bimal Roy decided to try Mukesh’s voice on Dilip Kumar. The songs from this film became hugely popular. Mukesh had proven his voice wasn’t bound to any single face. Salil Chowdhury penned the lyrics for these songs. Dilip Kumar himself praised Mukesh’s singing in his films until his very last days.
Lata Mangeshkar considered Mukesh like her own brother. She would tie a Rakhi on his wrist every year. When Lata remembered her early struggles, Mukesh’s name always came up. He played a crucial role in helping her career. Many people at the time didn’t like Lata’s thin voice. She had been turned down in several places. However, Mukesh found her voice beautiful. He introduced her to music director Naushad. On Mukesh’s recommendation, Lata got the chance to sing six songs in the film ‘Andaz.’ This was the turning point that launched Lata’s legendary career.
Mukesh’s personal life also had a touch of drama. In Mumbai, he fell in love with Sarla, the daughter of a Gujarati merchant. Both Sarla’s father and Mukesh’s father disapproved of their relationship. So, Mukesh and Sarla decided to elope. They married in a temple, with his cousin Motilal present as a witness.
Mukesh recorded several songs for the film ‘Satyam Shivam Sundaram.’ After that, he traveled to America for a concert. On August 27, 1976, Mukesh suddenly fell ill. He was rushed to the hospital, but doctors declared him dead. The cause of his death was a heart attack. He passed away at the young age of 53. Yet, his voice, his songs, and his legacy live on forever.