During his illustrious career Mukesh Kumar or as fans know him, Mukesh worked with several distinguished music directors, lyricists and of course on-screen protagonists. Most people would remember his melodious numbers sung for another great personality, Raj Kapoor.
Apart from Kapoor, however, Mukesh sang for Rajesh Khanna, Joy Mukherjee, Pradeep Kumar, Jeetendra, Manoj Kumar and many others.
Mukesh’s deep, haunting, poignant and evocative voice was not only capable of but proficient with singing songs depicting many different emotions. But for me, he was unsurpassed at lending his voice to heartrending, mournful songs.
Picking a few songs of this legendary singer is equivalent to picking a few drops of water from a vast deep-sea. In this appraisal, I picked some of the tracks sung by Mukesh, that I find individually tragic in nature and have found them to set such a somber frame of mind that you will have to listen to them in order to sense and feel them.
Here are the songs that I like in no exacting order.
Note: I deliberately did not include some of his more admired popular numbers because I’m sure they would be present in other members’ reviews.
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1. Haan Deewana Hoon Main
Haan Deewana Hoon Main
Gham Ka Maara Hua
Ek Begaana Hoon Main
A heart-wrecked person admits to the whole world that he indeed is fanatical in this number.
Our hearts go out to him when he says, “Yes, I’m crazy. A sorrowful nobody is who I am!”
Lyrics by Bharat Vyas are full of meaning and don’t fail to touch a chord with the listener. Mukesh’s voice takes the song to new heights.
Maangi Khushiyaan Magar Gham Mila Pyaar Mein
Dard hi Bhar Diya Dil Ke Har Taar Mein
Aaj Koi Nahin Mera Sansaar Mein
Chhod Kar Chal Diye Mujhko Majhdhaar Mein
Har Teer-e-nazar Ka Nishana Hoon Main
“I asked for happiness but instead got sorrow. Now there is pain in every string of my heart. Today, in my world, there is no one; everybody left me in the middle of the sea and went away. I’m now the target of all eyes.”
Ah! The sheer beauty of it!
Saranga (1960)
Lyrics composed by Bharat Vyas.
Music composed by Sardar Mallik.
- Hum Chod Chale Hain Mehfil Ko
Yaad Aaye Kabhi To Mat Rona
Is Dil Ko Tasalli De Le Na
Ghabraaye Kabhi Tho Mat Rona
“I’m leaving the party and going away. If ever you remember me, don’t cry. Convince or cajole your heart if it is afraid, but do not cry.”
This is one of the few songs that Mukesh sang for the actor Joy Mukherjee. The lyrics by Hasrat Jaipuri are insightful, compassionate and mournful.
I especially am incapacitated whenever I hear the following lines of the antara.
Mar Ne Ki Khabar Ai Jaane-Jigar
Mil Jaaye Kabhi Tho Mat Rona…
Ji Chahta Hai (1964)
Lyrics composed by Hasrat Jaipuri.
Music composed by Kalyanji Anandji.
3. Zinda Hoon Is Tarah
Ke Gham-E-Zindagi Nahin
Jalta Hua Diya Hoon
Magar Roshni Nahin
“I’m alive as if this is not a disastrously tragic life. Although I’m a candle ablaze there is no light.”
With each word in the beginning of this number, Mukesh takes his voice to a higher pitch and then gradually, smoothly brings the pitch down. Lyrics written by Behzad Lucknavi depict utter desolation, helplessness and absolute despondency.
Aag (1948)
Lyrics composed by Behzad Lucknavi.
Music composed by Ram Ganguly.
4. Jis Dil Mein Basa Tha Pyaar Tera
Us Dil Ko Kabhi Ka Tod Diya; Hai Tod Diya
Badnaam Na Hone Denge Tujhe
Tera Naam Hi Lena Chod Diya; Hai Chod Diya
How much do you love her? Would you be willing to stop taking her name even under your breath, in order to protect her from ill repute?
This is one of the few songs of Mukesh that was picturized on actor Pradeep Kumar.
“Long back I broke the heart which held love for you. I don’t want you to become infamous, so I don’t even say your name anymore.”
- Woh Tere Pyaar Ka Gham
Ek Bahaana Tha Sanam
Apni Kismet Hi Kuch Aisi Thi
Ki Dil Toot Gaya.
You lose your love, so who is to blame? Is it you or you your beloved? With this song Mukesh says it is neither. It is a third entity called destiny, kismet or fate.
“The sorrow of losing your love was just one way of fulfilling my destiny. My destiny is what made my heart break.”
Ye Naa Hotaa To Koi Doosraa Gham Honaa Tha
Main Tho Woh Hoon Jise Har Haal Mein Bas Ronaa Tha
Muskuraataa Bhi Agar, To Chhalak Jaati Nazar
If not for this happening, some other tragic event would have occurred, because I am that person who HAD to cry in any circumstances. Even if I smiled, my eyes would have brimmed with tears.
My Love (1970)
Lyrics composed by Anand Bakshi.
Music composed by Daan Singh.
6. Mujhko Is Raat Ki Tanhaai Mein Awaaz Na Do
Jis Ki Awaaz Rulaa De Mujhe Who Saaz Na Do…Awaaz Na Do
Unlike most of Mukesh’s numbers that depict utter pathos, this song depicts the protagonist trying to do something positive; getting over heartbreak.
“Don’t call me in the loneliness of this night! Don’t sing the tune which makes me weep!”
Dil Bhi Tera Hum Bhi Tere (1960)
Lyrics composed by Shamim Jaipuri.
Music composed by Kalyanji Anandji.
- Jaane Kahaa Gaye Woh Din...
Kehte The Teri Raaha Mein
Nazron Ko Hum Bichaayenge
Jaane Kahi Bhi Tum Raho
Chaahenge Tumko Umr Bhar
Tum Ko Na Bhool Paayenge
This deeply touching number by Mukesh was sung for the legendary Raj Kapoor. Especially notable is the manner in which this great singer recites the first few lines before he starts to sing according to the tune.
“I wonder what happened to those days when you used to say that you’ll fix your eyes on my path (in waiting). Where ever you are, I will love you all my life, I won’t be able to forget you!”
Film: Mera Naam Joker.
Music by Shankar Jaikishan.
Lyrics by Hasrat Jaipuri.
8. Khush Raho, Har Khushi Hain Tumhaare Liye
Chhod Do Aansuon Ko Hamaare Liye
A gentle-hearted man takes someone else’s sorrow and makes it his own, while telling her to be happy because every kind of happiness is waiting for her!
Tum Bahaaron Se Shikwaa Naa Karna Kabhi
De Do Kaante Humein Phool Le Lo Sabhi
Pool Koi Kuchal Jaaye Jab Bhool Mein
Soch Lenaa Ke Hum Mil Chuke Dhool Mein
Film: Suhaag Raat (1968)
Lyrics composed by Indeevar.
Music composed by Kalyanji Anandji.
