Last month, “Kachha Dhaaga” was instrumental in presenting a video biography on Guru Dutt, which was provided by Bappa-da. Now, this thread is proud to feature an audio tribute to Mukesh-ji, which was very kindly provided by Priya.

O JAANEY WAALEY ……

Click to view attachment

He would have been 82 in July this year. But 29 years ago Mukesh Chand Mathur, popularly known as just “Mukesh”, passed away at the age of 53. Yet his voice was not parted from his innumerable fans. Nor was his voice stilled. Almost three decades later, his songs going as far back as six decades, continue to be heard and loved, remembered and cherished.

Mukesh belonged to that unique pantheon of illustrious playback artistes who graced the film music scene during its golden era. Deriving his style from that of the legendary K. L. Saigal, Mukesh went on to create a niche of his own to leave an indelible imprint upon the vast canvas of Indian film music with his vocal contribution over a period of approximately thirty years.

In the early 60’s, when the Beatles were the rage of the younger generation in the west, an article had featured in the “Readers Digest”. It was authored by a mother about how she had come under the spell of the fabulous foursome whose music captivated her children. The feature was titled “Everyone has a Beatle”. In a similar vein, every HFM listener has a favourite Mukesh song.

During my childhood years, the older generation, my parents, uncles and aunts, spoke nostalgically about the singers of the 40’s, Saigal and Pankaj Mullick, Kanan Devi and Juthika Roy. The sophisticated listeners of my youth, especially those with a penchant for Urdu, would wax eloquent about the soft intonations of Talat Mahmood. I grew up listening to the most popular recording artistes of the day, Mohd. Rafi and Lata Mangeshkar. But bar none, everyone had a soft corner for Mukesh. Even if his output of songs was relatively less as compared to other top-notch singers, his voice was a constant presence in those tuneful times. Perhaps just one track in a movie, yet that song would stand out. Even as musical styles changed from melody to rhythm, with western motifs increasingly permeating their compositions, music directors still had a place for Mukesh and his distinct style of singing. In a sense, it was a hark back to the era of Saigal. With one difference -- the songs of Mukesh exuded a simplicity that rendered them easier for the common man to hum and sing. We could appreciate Talat Mahmood’s grasp over the romantic ghazal, admire Manna Dey’s classical command, be stunned by the seemingly limitless versatility of Rafi, and be dazzled by Kishore's ability to blithely shift from antics to pathos. But we had to admit woefully, their’s were not the songs for the unskilled to attempt! Whereas good old Mukesh brought us songs we could essay, which made it easier for the layman to identify with the song. Little wonder then that it was Mukesh who lent his voice to the character of the simpleton repeatedly portrayed by Raj Kapoor.

To quote a write-up about him, “Mukesh could breathe a thousand shades of despair and distill a lifetime of heartache in the few minutes it took to record a song. No other singer was capable of projecting emotions in their raw, unfurnished state the way he could. His was a voice that could on one hand be deeply melancholic and on the other hand exude a profoundly innocent and mellifluous sweetness. It was an exquisite blend of torment and anguish, tenderness and joy”.

Click to view attachment

In retrospect, Mukesh is remembered most for his several heart-wrenching renditions. Who can remain unmoved upon hearing “Saranga Teri Yaad Mein”? Or “Ansoon Bhari Hai Yeh Jeevan Ki Rahein”. Or “Mujhe Tumse Kuchh Bhi Na Chaahiyey”. Yet he also left behind lighter fare such as “Mera Joota Hai Japaani” and “Dil Tadap Tadap Ke Keh Raha Hai” and “Bol Radha Bol”. His last memorable offering was probably “Kabhi Kabhi Merey Dil Mein” -- a song that endears him to an entirely new generation.

Think of Mukesh and we recollect a host of gems like “Yeh Mera Diwanapan Hai”, “Koi Jab Tumhara Hriday Tod De”, “Tum Bin Jeevan Kaise Beeta”, “Chandan Sa Badan” and countless others. We remember the plaintive “alvida” ending to the soulful “Zindagi Khwab Hai”. We are touched by the depth of expression in “Zikr Hota Hai Jab Qayamat Ka”. We marvel at his range in “Jaaney Kahaan Gayey Woh Din”. His articulation accentuated the poetic beauty of “Yeh Kaun Chitrakaar Hai”. His voice burnished dawn with “Woh Subaha Kabhi Tau Aayegi”. He painted dusk with “Kahin Duur Jab Din Dhal Jaaye”. He regaled night with “Lakhon Taarey Aasmaan Mein”.

We all have our personal Mukesh favourites apart from his best-known songs. Mine include the rarely-heard “Dilney Usey Maan Liya”, “Tum Jo Hamarey Meet Na Hotey”, “Ae Sanam Jisney Tujhey” and “Chaaha Tha Banoon Pyar Ki”.

It has been said that although he sang less than his counterparts, Mukesh enjoyed the highest percentage of popular hits in relation to output. I’m inclined to believe that. For I’ve been at a loss as to which songs to cite, which ones to omit in this post. Finally I gave up. There are far too many memorable songs of Mukesh-ji to enumerate! Yet, reportedly, he recorded less than 1000 film-songs.

Click to view attachment

In the following 47-minute audio presentation you will hear the spoken voice of Mukesh-ji, apart from excerpts from numerous songs. You will also hear well-known music-industry personalities speaking about this fondly remembered artiste. The program features the commentary of the renowned radio-personality Amin Sayani, whose voice was synonymous with the phenomenally popular weekly, Wednesdays 8 to 9 P.M., presentation of the “Binaca Geetmala” Hit Parade.

There are two parts to this recording. Each part consists of 3 files zipped in RAR. Please download all the files into one folder. Then extract one file from Part 1 and one file from Part 2. The rest of the files will automatically extract and merge, leaving you with two tracks, one as Part 1 and the other as Part 2.

Click to view attachment

Click to view attachment

Click to view attachment

Click to view attachment

Click to view attachment

Click to view attachment

Superb , very well said

Thanks Unni bro for this wonderful presentation am still downloading, will listen as soon as downloaded all the files... Thanku Thanku

Hello, Plzz note all file not open. How this all open? plzzz
Thanks
surinder dhall

Extract File 1 of Part 1. Files 2 and 3 of Part 1 will automatically extract and merge as Track 1.

Then extract File 1 of Part 2. Files 2 and 3 of Part 2 will automatically extract and merge as Track 2.

I checked it again, and it works fine. If any other member has a problem extracting the files, please let me know.

Thanks!

Unii ji, It works fine. Simply Great. Just like Mukeshji.

You made my day , thanks to you and Priya.

Ramesh.

Plzz note I try but not open.
Can sent to me my email Plzzz
Thanks
surinder dhall

It works fine yaar.. you dont have to click individually to open them.. just do one thing , select all , right click and hit winrar... to here, etc. You will see two new files in that folder. those are the ones uploaded here.

Unni bro the files are OK, I even did a CRC on it... looks good to me.

Unni, nothing to do with Mukeshji but have to say--U write wonderfully well. Born writer.

Click to view attachment

Unni!!!!! Sacrilege!!! A Mukesh tribute thread and U trying to hog the limelight with Ur awesome visage!!!!!

BTW m'dear purana type writer? Ek computer kyun nahin lete? Yeh nazuk paws yun stony keys par na rakhiyega....

UnniJi, great write-up. I am still downloading the tribute. Will get to listen to it only tomorrow (because of slow connection).

Mukesh, a simple man with an extraordinary voice. May his soul rest in peace and his voice live for centuries to come. I don't have enough words to pay my respect to this great artist whose voice has become an integral part of my day-to-day life...

How very true are these words for Mukesh...

Ek Din Bik Jayega Maati Ke Mol,
Jag Main Reh Jayenge Pyare Tere Bol...

Unniji thanks very much for that!

Unniji, I did not get the chance to read the article this morning. Very nice write
up indeed. As an ardent Mukeshji fan my appreciation for his
contribution to HFM still grows each time I come across a 'new' song
or article. The one thing that bothers me is that a singer of his caliber,
had sung less than 1000 songs in a span of over three decades. For
every sad song one can find either a romantic, or phylosophical or
comedy song to his credit so it was not due to lack of versatility.
Any way I guess it is our loss.

Ramesh

Thanks a lot Unni-ji for the excellent tribute to Mukesh-ji.

Mohd.

Unni sahab, very nice write up. Just discovering new facets of the old timers here. Both your write-ups and Priya's source of a Mukesh file (!! ) are pleasant surprises.
Mid-way thru listening to the audio tribute, but cant stop wondering i might have listened to the tirbute when it was aired on radio. Priya, any info on when the interview / tribute was aired ??

PHIR KOI MUSKARAYA
PHIR EL PHOOL KHILA...

Mukeshji...sang from the heart and his voice reach our hearts.
May his soul rest in peace.

Vivek!!!! Hum bhi chupe rustom hain.
But to be honest, I am not an HFM connoisseur like Unni.
But yes just like Geetadi, I think Mukeshji is one singer almost everyone likes. Every HFM lover will have his selection of fav Mukesh nos.
Regarding this interview/programme, I have no idea if it was ever aired on radio.
I was lucky to get this piece from a friend.

There was a Vishesh Jaimala presented by Nitin Mukesh. Not sure if it was a recording or a new one. Anyone managed to record this or any other programs broadcasted today?

Cheers,

Mukesh is a great artist and a fine human being.............his voice will live on eternally
may his soul rest in peace

Thanx Unni ji! Great effort!

Unni Bhai


Thank you, Dhanyavaad, Vinaka Vakalevu, for this presentation.

Mukeshji left us 29 years ago, but the rich legacy he left for us fans means he will never be forgotten.


Anil

Thank you very much Unni Ji for the upload. I just cannot stop listening to Mukeshjis songs everyday