Glowing tributes to Mukesh Chand Mathur — The Legendary Voice of Hindi Cinema on his 98th Birth Anniversary
Retired Bureaucrats, Technocrats, Doctors & Professional Singers join together to deliver a feast of Mukesh Numbers
Tejinder Singh Bedi
There was no stage, no physical audience. No TV channel nor any OTT mode but the passionate driving force of a close knit group of music lovers set up by the Noida based Tejinder Singh Bedi during the COVID times paid glowing tributes to the legendary Bollywood singer Mukesh (Chand Mathur) on his 98th birth anniversary on July 22nd, using mass exchange of virtual recordings of some of his iconic numbers by each of the over a dozen performers in their own voices.
The idea mooted by Tejinder Bedi and seconded by Chandigarh Tricity based Rajbir Deswal, Retired Additional Director General of Police (Haryana) was accepted by one and all immediately and a feast of Mukesh numbers followed through the day.
Rajbeer was practically the last to join but he brought all the colours of his great singing as well as an astute videography, singing ‘Tu Kahe Agar Jeewan Bhar Main Geet Sunata Jaaon, Man Been Bajata Jaaon from the movie Andaaz(1949).
Former Director Ministry of I & B, Surinder Kumar cut the ice with ‘Sada Khush Rahe Tu Jaffa Karne Walle, Dua Kar Rahe Hain Dua Karne Walle…’ from the movie Pyar Ka Sagar released in 1961 and later Hum Ne Tujh Ko Pyar Kiya Hai Jitna, Kaun Karega Itna from the movie Dulha-Dulhan released in 1964.
Manjit Singh Saggu sang Kisse Yaad Rakhun KIsse Bhool Jaaon from the movie Anuraag released in 1956.
Kabhi Kabhi Mere Dil Mein Khyal Aata Hai, from the movie Kabhi Kabhi released in 1976 was rendered by Dr. Alok Sharma in his soft, silken voice.
Gurgaon based Retired Assistant Commissioner of Police, (Delhi), Palwinder Singh Chahal sang ‘Mehboob Mere, Mehboob Mere, Tu Hai To Duniya Kitni Haseen Hai. from the movie Pathar Ke Sanam made in 1967.’ followed by ‘Suhani Chandni Raatein, Hummein Sone Nahin Deti.., from Mukti (1971)’
and ‘Zikar Hota Hai Jab Qyamat Ka, Tere Jalwon Ki Baat Hotee Hai..from the film My Love(1970) concluding with Allha Jaane Kya Hoga Aage from Haryali Aur Rastaa(1962).
Ramesh Chhabra from Noida (Pic awaited) rendered ‘Jis Dil Mein Basa Tha Pyar Tera, from the movie Saheli released in 1965 with Naresh Khurana singing the melodious ..’O Janne Walle, Ho Sake To Laut Ke Aana…from the movie Bandini (1963).
Kapil Tiwari from Noida sang ‘Hussne Jana Idhar Aa, Aaina Hun Main Tera. from Saathi (1968).
Saranjit Singh Bedi from Noida rendered, ‘Kissi Ki Muskrahton Pe Dil Nissar,, Kissi Ka Dard Mil Sake Te Le Udhaar..from Anari in 1959
and the iconic number ‘Aansoo Bhari Hain, Ye Jeevan Ki Rahein from Parvarish (1977).
Pecobian Shashi Sachdeva sang ..Chand Ko Kya Maloom, Chahta Hai Usse Koi Chakore…from Lal Bangla made in 1966
with Tejinder Singh Bedi offering, ‘ Bhooli Hui Yaado, Mujhe Itna Na Satao, Ab Chain Se Rehne Do, Mere Paas Na Aao…from the film Sanjog released in 1961.
Floral tributes were also paid to the legendary singer by Jagjeet Singh Bains — a former Forensics Expert with the US Police from New York,
Pecobian, Ashok Bansal,
Jagdish Awsarmol from Mumbai, Davinder Singh from Pathankot,
Suresh Sethi from Noida,
Mahipal Naval from Jaipur and many others.
One of the most popular playback singers along side Raffi, Kishore, Manna Dey Mukesh Chand Mathur first started singing in the mould of the great K L Saigal Saheb (Dil Jalta Hai To Jalne Do) but soon found his own niche becoming a regular voice of Raj Kapoor, Manoj Kumar, Feroz Khan, Sunil Dutt & Dilip Kumar and till today in Bollywood songs is remembered most for the pain, agony and grief he could bring in to any number calling for such emotive feelings. Long live Mukesh Sahib’s legacy through such dedicated fans!