22 July is the birth anniversary of Mukesh Chand Mathur, more famously known as the singer Mukesh. He may not be as technically competent as his contemporaries and had his limitations. But he managed to leave a lasting impression on most of the songs he sung, which is indeed an achievement. It can be said that you can either like or dislike his singing but you certainly cannot ignore him.
There are some songs which I would say bear the Mukesh “stamp.” You cannot imagine any other singer signing that song with the same emotions. So, here are 10 solo songs of Mukesh picturised on different actors but all bearing the distinctive Mukesh stamp. Which songs do you recall?
1) Song: Hum Tujhse Mohabbat Karke
Film: Awara (1951)
Credits: Hasrat Jaipuri | Shankar Jaikishan | Mukesh
Mukesh was undoubtedly Raj Kapoor’s voice all the way. It’s so difficult to select one song instead of a whole list. But this is from one of the earlier RK movies starring a young Raj Kapoor. Mukesh’s voice is the perfect foil and brings out the pathos and pitifulness of the situation through his singing.
2) Song: Yeh Mera Deewanapan Hai
Film: Yahudi (1958)
Credits: Shailendra | Shankar Jaikishan | Mukesh
While Mohammed Rafi was Dilip Kumar’s voice, Mukesh has sung some limited but memorable songs in Andaz, Mela, Madhumati etc. In this song, Mukesh’s singing reminds us of K.L. Saigal’s singing style. The expressions bring out the character’s apprehension as he waits for his lover.
Dil Ko Tere Hi Tamanna,
Dil Ko Hai Tujhse hi Pyar,
Chaahe Tu aaye na aaye,
Hum karenge Intezaar…
Yeh mera Deewanapan hai…
3) Song: Jaaoon Kahan Bata Aye Dil
Film: Chhoti Behen (1959)
Credits: Hasrat Jaipuri | Shankar Jaikishan| Mukesh
Picturised on an actor who would rarely get to lip sync songs. But what a fit! The singing brings out all the emotions that Rehman’s character is going through and the lyrics describe the futility of the situation.
Banke toote yahaan arzoo ke mahal,
Ye zameen aasmaan, bhi gaye hain badal,
Kehti hai zindagi, is jahaan se nikal,
Jaaoon kahan bata aye dil
4) Song: Mujhko Is Raat Ki Tanhaai Mein Awaaz
Film: Dil Bhi Tera Hum Bhi Tere (1960)
Credits: Shamim Akhtar Jaipuri | Kalyanji Anandji | Mukesh
It is difficult to imagine Mukesh on Dharmendra but this was the latter’s debut movie. While other singers eventually became Dharmendra’s voice, Mukesh suits the song and the mood of the hero. Here he is remembering his lady love who has apparently died and her memories keep haunting him.
5) Song: Bhooli Hui Yaadon
Film: Sanjog (1961)
Credits: Rajendra Krishan | Madan Mohan | Mukesh
This is a song which is more Mukesh than the actor Pradeep Kumar. Beautiful tune in Yaman brought alive by Mukesh’s singing.
6) Song: Haan Deewana Hun Main
Film: Saranga (1961)
Credits: Bharat Vyas | Sardar Malik | Mukesh
Another gem but picturised on a forgettable Sudesh Kumar. Once again the expressions are top notch bringing out the desperateness of the character.
Maangi khushiya magar gham mila pyaar mein,
Dard hi bhar diya dil ke har taar mein,
Aaj koi nahi mera sansaar mein,
Chhod kar chal diye Mujhko majhadhaar mein,
Haye teer-e-nazar ka nishana hun main
Haan deewana hun main
7) Song: Teri Yaad Dil Se
Film: Hariyali Aur Raasta (1962)
Credits: Shailendra | Shankar Jaikishan | Mukesh
After Raj Kapoor, Manoj Kumar was another actor who could carry Mukesh’s voice effectively. Similar filmy situation where the heroine is presumed dead and the hero brings out his emotions through a song.
Gham-e-ishq le phoonk de mera daaman,
Main apni lagi yun bujhaane chala hun,
Teri yaad dil se bhulaane chala hun…
Ke khud apni hasti mitaane chala hun
8) Song: Chandan Sa Badan
Film: Saraswati Chandra (1968)
Credits: Indeevar | Kalyanji Anandji | Mukesh
Mukesh in a happy romantic mood singing for Manish. His soulful singing describes the beauty of the heroine. Simple rendition with superb diction is the highlight of the song.
Tan bhi sundar mann bhi sundar,
Tu sundarta ki murat hai,
Kisi aur ko shayad kam hogi,
Mujhe teri bahut zarurat hai,
Pahale bhi bahut main tarsa hun,
Tu aur na mujh ko tarsana
9) Song: Oh Re Taal Mile
Film: Anokhi Raat (1968)
Credits: Indeevar | Roshan | Mukesh
Another tailor made song for Mukesh. Sanjeev Kumar sings a philosophical song as he brings home his newly wedded wife.
Suraj ko dharti tarse dharti ko chandrama, dharti ko chandrama
Paani mein seep jaise pyasi har aatma, pyasu har aatma
O mitwa re…
Paani mein seep jaise pyasi har aatma
Boond chhupi kis baadal mein
Koi jaane na
10) Song: Chandi Ki Deewar
Film: Vishwas (1969)
Credits: Gulshan Bawra | Kalyanji Anandji | Mukesh
This is meant to be a happy birthday song for the heroine. But a dramatic scene changes the situation and makes it a song of anguish for the hero Jeetendra.
Kal tak jisne kasame khai, dukh me sath nibhane ki,
Aaj woh apne sukh ki khatir ho gai ik begane ki,
Shehanaiyon ki goonj mein dabake reh gayi aah divane ki
Dhanavano ne deewane ka Gham se rishta jod diya
Ik dhanavan ki beti ne nirdhan ka daman tod diya
Chandi ki deewar na todi
Pyar bhara dil tod diya
Cine Gaurav 
Loved the Mukesh STAMP as you said .
Yes, he had his limitations…not entirely flawless voice and range like Rafi. His limitations put limitations on Shankar Jaikishan pair too , who couldn’t take notes to high pitch ( which they later employed ruthlessly almost for Rafi…remember Japan…Love in Tokyo ).
But Mukesh’s voice had simplicity of common man. His imperfection was his power which connected him with the common man. He found a sound match fortunately in Raj Kapoor….the way SP Balasubramaniam did for Salman
I’d like to mention 3 more songs. MAI NA BHOOLUNGA and MUJHE TUMSE KUCCH BHI NA CHAHIYE and MUJHKO YAARO MAAF KARNA, MAI NASHE MEIN HOON.
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