The 100th birth anniversary of Mukesh, the singer who became the voice for Raj Kapoor in several films including the iconic ‘Mera Naam Joker’ (1970), was celebrated by his fans on July 22. Back in the ’50s to ’70s, Mukesh’s name was quite synonymous with sad songs. The depth of his voice was so magical that even the younger generation finds it soothing.
Born in Delhi in 1923, Mukesh had a big family, comprising ten siblings. He was the sexth one among them. Since childhood, Mukesh had a knack in music and later he developed the passion for singing after listening to the instructions of an Ustad who was teaching his elder sister.
Mukesh began his career as an actor-singer in V.C. Desai’s ‘Nirdosh’ (1941), in which Ashok Ghosh was the music director. Mukesh was considered to be one of the most popular and acclaimed playback singers in the Hindi film industry. His song “Kai Baar Yuhi Dekha Hai” from ‘Rajnigandha’ (1973) won him his first National Film Award for Best Male Playback Singer.
Mukesh was always the first choice for being the voice of legends like Raj Kapoor, Manoj Kumar, Dilip Kumar and Sunil Dutt. From “Mera Joota Hai Japani”, “Dost Dost Na Raha”, “Har Dil Jo Pyaar Karega” to “Jeena Yahan Marna Yahan”, “Awara Hoon”, “Sawan Ka Mahina”, Mukesh sang more than a thousand songs in his thirty-five years of career.
Mukesh is the grandfather of Bollywood actor Neil Nitin Mukesh, who worked in films like ‘Johnny Gaddaar’ (2007), ‘New York’ (2009), ‘Lafangey Parindey’ (2010), ‘7 Khoon Maaf’ (2011), ‘Players’ (2012), etc.
Mukesh will always bring a melodious and unforgettable misty feeling from the good old times. The legend took his last breath on August 27, 1976 due to a heart attack in Detroit, Michigan, USA.
