Golden Era of Bollywood: MUKESH-A mellifluous voice with depth and a tinge of sadness in it.

Remembering Mukesh on his 94th Birth Anniversary,his unique singing style would make his songs popular soon after their release. His forte were both sad and jolly songs such as “Yeh mera diwana pan hai” (Yahudi), “Suhani chandni raaten” (Mukti), “Aa laut ke aaja mere meet” (Rani Roopmati), “Awara hoon” (Awara) and “Dum dum diga diga” (Chalia)”. He sang romantic songs with equal ease: “Kabhi kabhi mere dil mein” (Kabhi Kabhi) and “Naina hain jadoo bhare” (Bedard Zamana).
In this blog I have selected his Jolly and Happy songs only.
Mukesh was born on 22nd July 1923.At the age of 18 he was offered a role as an actor-singer in a Hindi film, Nirdosh (1941). The real break as a playback singer came for him in 1945 when he sang for Motilal for the film Pehli Nazar.It was the song "Dil Jalta Hai To Jalne De". composed by Anil Biswas and lyrics written by Aah Sitapuri.made him popular.Though the song was in the style of K L Sehgal but it became instant hit.Mukesh created his own singing style with the help of music director Naushad Ali, who helped Mukesh to come out of his Saigal style and create his own style. Naushad gave him songs for the film Andaz.All the songs became hit.
Mukesh became the voice of Raj Kapoor with Barsaat.He gave many immortal songs for Raj Kapoor.Mukesh is best known for the songs that he sung for actor Raj Kapoor in Bollywood. The two decades spanning the 1950s to 1970s saw the rise and shine of the man who was to be immortalized in the pages of Bollywood playback singing. On Mukesh’s demise, he said ‘I have lost my voice.’ It wasn’t exaggeration. You try to remember Raj Kapoor, and you’ll end up humming Mukesh.
Mukesh recieved 4 Filmfare Awards for Best Playback Singer for films 'Anari', 'Pehchan', 'Beimaan' and 'Kabhie Kabhie'.In 1974 he was bestowed with the National Film Award for the Best Male Playback Singer for his song 'Kain Baar Yoon Bhi Dekhaa Hai' from the film 'Rajnigandha'.
Mukesh died on August 27, 1976 at the age of 53. The singer succumbed to a heart attack while on a concert tour to the United States.
Here is my tribute to him on his 94th Birth Anniversary today with a compilation of my few of the favourite ‘Happy’ and Romantic songs of Mukesh.