BANGALORE: Very few of his fans know that the “Jaane khaan gaye woh din” singer Mukesh started his film career as an actor.
Thanks to the encouragement he received from his relative Motilal, of Anadi and Jagte Raho fame, the great character actor of yesteryears. It was in 1942-43 that Mukesh bade adieu to his job as Assistant Surveyor in the Delhi PWD, when he came to the then Bombay to try his luck in films. Today on the occasion of his 33rd death anniversary, we look at the lesser known facts about the ace crooner.
Mukesh made his debut as the lead, opposite Nalini Jaivant (the then heartthrob of cine fans) in the film Nirdosh.
Then came Dukh-Sukh and Adab-arz.
He did a brief role of a tonga-rider in Raj Kapoor’s classic Aah wherein he sang for himself the philosophical song “Chhotisi ye zindgani re, char din ki kahani”. In 1953, he acted opposite Suraiya in Mashuka too.
He then produced a film called Malhar, which was a musical hit. His another ambitious venture Anurag, in which he not only acted but also penned lyrics, composed music and sang, unfortunately could not be completed even after four years of struggle from 1952-56.
Though the film did not see light of the day, two of its melodious songs “Pal bharki pehchan” and “Kise yaad rakhoon, kise bhool jaoon” were hits and are still fondly heard by his discerning admirers.
Although Mukesh (Mukeshchand Mathur) who happened to be one among the trinity of celebrated male singers (the others being Mohammed Rafi and Kishore Kumar) left us 33-years ago, his invaluable legacy of about three thousand songs has kept him alive in the minds of millions of olden goldies’ fans.
Mukesh is known for his distinct tonal quality and the fine art of singing songs in a poignant note.
“Ek woh bhi diwali thi, ek e bhi diwali hai” (Nazrana), “mujhe tumse kuch bhi na chahiye” (Kanhaiya), “Mujhko is raat ki tanhayi mein awaz na do” (Dil bhi tera hum bhi tere), “Waqt karta jo wafa aap hamare bhi hote” (Dil ne pukara), “Mere toote huve dilse” (Chhaliya) and "Suhani chandni raaten humein sone nahi deti" (Mukti) are some of the many heart-rending numbers of the inimitable Mukesh.