`Agami prithibi kaan petey tumi shuno…Ami jodi aar nai ashi hetha phirey…Tobu... Amar gaaner swaralipi lekha raabey'
(The future world may listen to the tune of my melodies…Even if I do not return here...The chords of my songs will be scored)
Hemant Kumar Mukhopadhyay or Hemant Mukherjee or as he is mostly known as Hemant Kumar was born on 16, June 1920 in the holy city of Varanasi. While pursuing his Engineering Degree his creative urge led him to drop his studies and take up music as a full time career. Empowered with the knowledge of both Classical and Rabindra Sangeet, he was ensured of sure success but not without struggle.
He was the voice of many singers but notable among them are Uttam Kumar, Biswajeet and Dev Anand. Nearly all the songs that he sung for them have become hits. It helped not only Hemant Da but also these actors; as their careers too got enhanced with these songs.
Hemant Da not only sang songs in his deep slow rich mesmerizing voice but he also composed great music as well as produced several films, of which most were major hits. His legacy still remains through the songs sung and composed by him. In 1985, he was awarded a D.Litt. by Vishwa-Bharati University. In 1987 he won the National Award for the Movie ( Lalan Fakir ) and the Sangeet Natak Academi award. He was also awarded , just before his death, Poet Michael Madhushudan Dutta Award for his contribution to Bengali music by the Bangladesh Government. Till today his songs are remembered and I for one love most of his songs. This Baritone voice left us for heavenly journey on 26, Sept 1989.
Here are some of my favourite songs sung by Hemant Da.
1) Hai apna dil to aawaara
Movie: Solwa Saal , Sung By: Hemant Kumar , Music By: S D Burman
Hai apna dil to aawaara, na jaane kis pe aayega
Haseenon ne bulaaya, gale se bhee lagaaya
Bahot samjhaya, yahi na samjha
Bahot bhola hain bechaara, na jaane kis pe aayega
A song sung in a teasing mode, the hero singing his thoughts aloud. This song is sung in a train, Dev teasing Waheeda and the looks that she gives him, makes it worthwhile to watch this song. One of my perennial favourite song.
2) Chup Hai Dharti
Movie: House No 44 , Sung By: Hemant Kumar , Music By: S D Burman
Chup hai dharati, chup hain chaand sitaare
Mere dil ki dhadkan tujhko pukaare
Khoye khoye se yeh mast nazaare
Thahre thahre se yeh rang ke dhaare
Dhoondh rahe hain tujhako saath hamaare
Another Dev-Hemant combo song. Dev sitting alone on a park bench , the breeze blowing slowly, the swaying leaves adds to the brewing romance, the song sung slowly adds to the charm... For once he finishes the song sitting on the bench and not running about.
3) Jab Jaag Uthe Armaan, To Kaise Neend Aaye
Movie: Bin Baadal Barsaat , Sung By: Hemant Kumar ,Music By: Hemant Kumar
Jab jaag uthe armaan to kaise neend aaye
Ho ghar mein hasin mehmaan to kaise neend aaye, neend aaye
Jab jaag uthe armaan to kaise neend aaye
(yeh raat yeh dil ki dhadkan yeh badhati hui betaabi
Ik jaam ki khaatir jaise bechain ho koi sharaabi ) - (2)
This sensual song which belts out emotions one feels when the night is young and full of hope. This teasing adds to the romance.
4) Jagat Bhar Ki Roshani Ke Liye Sooraj Re Tu Jalte Rahana
Movie: Harishchandra Taramati , Sung By: Hemant Kumar , Music By: Laxmikant - Pyarelal
Jagat bhar ki roshani ke liye
Karodon ki zindagi ke liye
Sooraj re jalte rahana (2)
Jagat kalyaan ki khaatir tu janma hai
Tu jag ke vaaste har duhkh utha re
A song which is full of sacrifice, What the nature sacrifices to keep creatures like us comfortable. A request to Sun God to keep blessing us mortals.
5) Zaraa Nazaron Se Kah Do Ji Nishaana Chook Na Jaaye
Movie: Bees Saal Baad
Sung By: Hemant Kumar Music By: Hemant Kumar Lyricist: Shakeel Badayuni
Zaraa nazaron se kah do ji nishaana chook na jaaye
Zaraa nazaron se kah do ji
Mazaa jab hai tumhaari har adaa qaatil hi kahalaaye
Zaraa nazaron se
Qaatil tumhe pukaroon ke jaan-e-vafaa kahoon
Hairat mein pad gaya hoon ke main tum ko kya kahoon
This teasing song , tells about the Adas of the beloved, the lover confesses , that he does not know what to call his beautiful beloved.
6) Le Le Dard Paraaya
Movie: Chhote Babu , Sung By : Hemant Kumar , Music By: Madan Mohan
Le le dard paraayaa Aa aa aa
(Le le dard paraayaa kar de duur gam ka saaya
Teri khushi tujhko mil hi jaayegi) - 2
(Khushi aurko deke tu le le gam
Teri haar bhi jeet se kuchh na kam) -2
A song that teaches us compassion, how we can help in reducing the pain of others and ultimately finding true happiness in doing some good work.
7) Na Yeh Chaand Hogaa Na Taare Rahenge
Movie: Shart , Sung By: Hemant Kumar , Music By: Hemant Kumar
Na yeh chaand hoga, na taare rahenge
Magar ham hamesha, tumhaare rahenge
Na yeh chaand hoga
Bichhadkar chale jaayen tumse kahin
To yeh na samajhana muhabbat nahin
Jahaan bhi rahe ham tumhaare rahenge
A song sung, by a lover promising to be eternally with his lover. Love isn’t always being together, love is always in the heart irrespective of the presence of the person being loved.
8) Gangaa Aaye Kahaan Se
Movie: Kabuliwala , Sung By: Hemant Kumar , Music By: Salil Choudhary
Gangaa aaye kahaan se, gangaa jaaye kahaan re
Aaye kahaan se, jaaye kahaan re
Laharaaye paani mein jaise dhoop-chhaanv re
Gangaa aaye kahaan se, gangaa jaaye kahaan re
Laharaaye paani mein jaise dhoop-chhaanv re
The song that touches your soul , sung in a beautiful soulful voice. The love of the land oozes from this song.
9) Rulaa Kar Chal Diye Ik Din Hansi Ban Kar Jo Aaye The
Movie: Baadshah , Sung By: Hemant Kumar , Music By: Shankar - Jaikishan
Rula kar chal diye ik din hansi ban kar jo aaye the
Chaman ro-ro ke kahata hai, kabhi gul muskuraaye the
Agar dil ke zubaan hoti to gam kuchh kam to ho jaata
Udhar woh chup, idhar seene mein ham toofaan chhupaaye the
Chaman ro-ro ke kahata hai
This song speaks of missing an important person in life. Absence of person, who means a lot to us can make our world void of happiness.
10) Teri duniya mein jeene se
Movie: House No 44 , Sung By: Hemant Kumar , Music By: S D Burman
Teri duniya mein jeene se toh behtar hai ki mar jaye
Wohi aansu, wohi ahen, wohi gam hain jidhar jaye
Teri duniya mein jeene se toh behtar hai ki mar jaye
Koi toh aisa ghar hota jahan se pyaar mil jaata
Wohi begane chehare hain jahan pahunche jidhar jaye
Teri duniya mein jeene se toh behtar hai ki mar jaye
This is a song of dejection, sung a person who is fed up with this world and is in search of love. A phenomenon common in youth.
I hope you enjoyed reading this review on one of my favourite Singer and composer..
