Mukesh Chand Mathur or more popularly known as “Mukesh” was an Indian playback singer. He is regarded amongst the best male playback singers of his time and his soothing voice won many hearts along with many awards that include the National Film Awards for Best Male Playback Singer. 

On the Occasion of Mukesh’s Birthday, Saregama Tweeted Saying “Remembering ‘The Man with the Golden Voice’ Mukesh on his birth anniversary.”

Born on the 22nd of July 1923 to Zorawar Chand Mathur and Chandrani Mathur in Delhi, India, Mukesh was sixth in a big family of ten children. The music teacher that would come home to tutor his sister found a pupil in Mukesh, who would listen in on the lessons from the adjoining room. After completing middle school, Mukesh quit schooling and went on to briefly work in the Department of Public Works while simultaneously experimenting with his singing skills and also developing his musical abilities.  

Mukesh’s voice was first discovered by a distant uncle of his who heard him sing at his sister’s wedding and took him to Mumbai, arranging singing lessons for him by Pandit Jagannath Prasad. During this time, Mukesh got a role in the movie Nirdosh (1941) as an actor-singer. His first ever song was “Dil Hi Bujha Hua Ho To” for the same movie. After that Mukesh landed his playback singing break for the actor Motilal in 1945 with the movie Pehla Nasha. His first playback song was “Dil Jalta Hai Toh Jalne De” 

Mukesh gave many of the famous Bollywood melodies like; Jeena Yaha Marna Yaha (Humari Yaad Aayegi), Chand Si Mehbooba Ho Meri (Humari Yaad Aayegi), Yeh Mera Deewanapan Hai (Humari Yaad Aayegi), Dil Tadap Tadap Ke (Madhumati), Ek Pyaar ka Nagma Hai (Ek Pyaar ka Nagma Hai), Mera Joota Hai Japani (Humari Yaad Aayegi), Dost Dost Na Raha (Sangam), Kisi Ki Mushkurahaton pe (Humari Yaad Aayegi), Kya Khoob Lagti Ho (Dharmatama), amongst others. 

Mukesh was also popular for being the on-screen voice of actors like Raj Kapor, Dilip Kumar, Sunil Dutt, and Manoj Kumar. Mukesh won four Filmfare Awards for his songs as well as the National Film Award for Kai Baar Yuhi Dekha Hai in 1974.  

Mukesh died of a sudden heart attack on the 27th of August 1976 in Detroit, USA, where he had gone to perform a concert. He supposedly woke up earlier than usual that day and went to take a shower where he suffered chest pains and was rushed to the hospital before being pronounced dead. The rest of the concert was completed by the Indian singer Lata Mangeshkar who also arranged to have Mukesh’s body flown back to India where he was given a grand funeral ceremony attended by all of his close friends and family members as well as his fans. It is said that when Raj Kapoor heard of his death, he burst out in tears saying “I’ve lost my voice”, which is a testimony of how closely associated Mukesh’s voice was to some of the biggest actors of the time. 

On the occasion of the singer’s 101th birth anniversary, Saregama celebrates his works and contribution to the Indian Music Industry.  

Now you can play all your favorite Mukesh songs on Saregama Carvaan. Saregama Carvaan is a portable digital audio player with preloaded 5000 evergreen Hindi songs that you can listen to anywhere anytime without ad breaks or internet connection. It consists of other features like Bluetooth, FM/AM radio, USB, and AUX connectivity.