Mukesh in Ten Moods

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Today is the birth centenary of one of Hindi film music’s greats: Mukesh Chand Mathur was born on July 22, 1923, in Delhi. In a far too short lifetime (he died in 1976, before his fifty-third birthday) Mukesh sang playback for many of Hindi cinema’s most popular songs. He was Raj Kapoor’s ‘voice’, known and loved not just in India but in countries far and wide, from the Soviet Union to Turkey.

Introduced to the film industry by Motilal, who was a relative, Mukesh’s first hit song ended up being for Motilal himself: Dil jalta hai toh jalne de in Pehli Nazar (1945). He had already debuted four years earlier, with the song Dil hi bujha hua toh from Nirdosh (1941), the film which also marked Mukesh’s debut as an actor.

I’ve admitted, in an earlier song list of Mukesh’s songs, that I wasn’t initially very fond of Mukesh; but he has, as I also admitted in that post, grown on me. There are many songs of his, both duets and solos, which I now like a lot. There are even some songs that I cannot imagine anybody singing better than Mukesh did.

But for now, this song list. Mukesh in ten moods. From ten films, ten solos that showcase Mukesh’s ability to imbue his voice with deep emotion, no matter what that emotion might be. As always, these songs are from pre-1970s Hindi films that I’ve seen, and no two songs are from the same film. Also, to make it a little more challenging for myself, I’ve not included in this list any songs that appeared in my earlier Mukesh list, no matter how much I may like those songs!

In no particular order:

1. Patriotic. Chhodo kal ki baatein kal ki baat puraani (Hum Hindustani, 1961): Technically, of course, this song isn’t a solo: there’s a chorus singing with Mukesh, and it’s the voices of the chorus that open the song. But Mukesh rules this very upbeat, always inspiring song of a nation surging ahead. A lot may have changed when it comes to the lyrics (all that stuff about setting up industries is perhaps a little passé now in an age when we should be focussing on preserving our environment), but the fervour and the love for homeland here is palpable. Mukesh is wonderful here: just listening to him makes me feel all patriotic.

2. Cynical. Aasmaan pe hai khuda aur zameen pe hum (Phir Subah Hogi, 1958): While classic Raj Kapoor films like Awara, Anari, and Shree 420 seem to attract most of the attention for the songs Mukesh sang for RK in them, for me some of his best singing for Raj Kapoor is in Phir Subah Hogi (which wasn’t an RK-directed film; its director was Ramesh Saigal). On its surface, the ebullient tone, the castanets and the peppy beat suggest a happy song, but this is in fact a seriously cynical song. Bombs are falling, says the jaded singer; people are dying, there is pillage and plundering; but He doesn’t look our way anymore. Aadmi hain anginat, devta hain kam (“People are countless, gods are few”) he sings.

Superb lyrics (Sahir), great music (Khayyam), and Mukesh binds them together superbly in a song that speaks volumes about our day and age.

3. Inspiring. Gardish mein ho tare na ghabraana pyaare (Reshmi Rumaal, 1961): Among the actors (other than Raj Kapoor, of course) for whom Mukesh sang playback frequently was Manoj Kumar: Mukesh’s somewhat nasal voice suited Manoj Kumar’s speaking voice very well, so it was a believable fit. Although Mukesh was to go on and sing a lot of the very melancholic, depressing songs picturised on Manoj Kumar (some, I will admit, good ones too), there was this one, in one of Manoj Kumar’s earliest films. A vibrant song, all about refusing to let circumstances grind you down.

(On a side note: the most inspiring Mukesh song, to me, is the absolutely sublime Woh subah kabhi toh aayegi; but since I’d included that in my earlier Mukesh list, I am obliged to omit it here; but it’s worth sneaking in a mention of).

4. Betrayed. Woh tere pyaar ka gham ek bahaana thha sanam (My Love, 1970): Mukesh made the sad song his very own: he could imbue his voice with so much pain, so much pathos, that all the tragedy of whatever disaster was happening onscreen was reflected in it. The hero, betrayed by a faithless sweetheart, singing of his woes and his sense of ill-usage, was a theme that Mukesh sang of in song after song, all the way from Bahaaron ne mera chaman lootkar to Dost do na raha. Here is another take on the theme: Shashi Kapoor’s character tries to somehow tell himself that his beloved’s bewafai is not a big deal (if not this, there would have been some other sorrow to come his way). A fatalist. But what a lovely song, and sung with so much restraint by Mukesh.

5. Teasing. Haseen ho khuda toh nahin ho (Mud-mud Ke Na Dekh, 1962): Somewhat teasing, somewhat irritating, in the style that Mohammad Rafi, singing especially for Shammi Kapoor (in songs like the similarly-worded Haseen ho tum khuda toh nahin) made popular. Bharat Bhushan was not an actor I’d have thought would fit into the sort of comedy that Mud-mud Ke Na Dekh was, and I still think someone like Shammi or even younger brother Shashi Kapoor might have been a much better hero in this film. But this song is a pleasant enough example, and Mukesh pulls off well the teasing, even slightly confrontational tone of it. Fun.

6. Poignant. Chal ri sajni ab kya soche (Bombai ka Babu, 1960): Sung as a background song, Chal ri sajni plays in the background as Suchitra Sen’s character, newly married, leaves her natal home for the home of her new husband. A bidaayi song, and one which speaks (in the words of Majrooh Sultanpuri) of the pain she feels in this separation from all her life till now: her parents, her friends, the only home she has known. Underlying that, unspoken, too, is the strange relationship, tenuous and unnamed, she has developed with the man who had been posing (and will continue to do so, after she’s gone) as her brother.

One of Mukesh’s loveliest songs, and sung with so much feeling.

7. Romantic. Jis gali mein tera ghar na ho baalma (Kati Patang, 1970): Rajesh Khanna’s is a voice I usually associate with Kishore Kumar—but Mukesh sang some beautiful songs for him too, in films like Anand, for instance. And there’s this, a quintessentially romantic one about aching for the company of the sweetheart, to the extent of not even venturing down paths she may not frequent. Mukesh fills Jis gali mein tera ghar na ho baalma with so much emotion, it’s easy to put oneself in the shoes of the lovelorn man who’s singing this song.

(A confession. Many years ago, when the hilarious Jaspal Bhatti’s comic satire Flop Show used to air on Doordarshan, the last couple of minutes of the show invariably consisted of a parody of a well-known song. Jis gali mein tera ghar na ho baalma, coming in at the end of an episode on landlords versus tenants, got twisted into Jis gali mein kiraayedaar se jhagda na ho, with the subsequent stanzas being equally funny. For me, that parody always comes to mind when I think of the original. Despite that, I still like Jis gali mein tera ghar na ho baalma—which says a lot for Mukesh!)

8. Lovesick. Haan deewaana hoon main (Saaranga, 1961): In my earlier list of Mukesh songs, I’d listed the title song of Saaranga, since that had a special significance in my memory. Saaranga, however, had another especially good Mukesh solo, one which brings out the anguish of the lover. As he wanders about, derided and made fun of by every passer-by, Sudesh Kumar’s character remembers the heady days of being in love, and regrets his falling in love: it has left him friendless, homeless, a bhoola hua fasaana (a ‘forgotten story’). Sardar Malik’s music is beautiful, Bharat Vyas’s lyrics touching, and Mukesh’s rendition unforgettable.

9. Philosophical. Ae dil dekhe hain humne bade-bade sangdil (Shriman Satyawadi, 1960): Philosophy was an emotion Mukesh sang a lot of, in many songs to which Raj Kapoor (especially) lip-synced, from Awara hoon to Sajan re jhooth mat bolo, and dozens in between. Here is one that often goes unnoticed, probably because it wasn’t from an RK Films movie. Raj Kapoor’s character, at a party where he finds himself somewhat a misfit, sings of his philosophy: of loving those around him, of accepting others. Of not being the sangdil, the type with a heart of stone, he sees so much of. I love the beauty of this song, the music that is so mellifluous and light, the lyrics that are so inspirational in their own way. And Mukesh, effortlessly navigating the ups and downs of the tune.  

10. Carefree. Main aashiq hoon bahaaron ka (Aashiq, 1962): Directed by Hrishikesh Mukherjee, this melodramatic, weepy film did not bear the classic Hrishida stamp at all. But it had some excellent music (by Shankar-Jaikishan, with lyrics by Shailendra and Hasrat Jaipuri). This song, the very first in the film, introduces Raj Kapoor’s character, the eponymous aashiq. The lyrics are playful and carefree, the fast peppy music echoing the tone perfectly—and Mukesh’s rendition brings that happy, unfettered joie de vivre completely to life.

Happy birthday, Mukeshji, and thank you for the music!

80 thoughts on “Mukesh in Ten Moods”

  1. Lovely list of songs Madhuji.
    I however would like add to add a song that mentioned Mukesh. Of course it won’t be a fit to today’s list. But just to highlight how popular he was!

    Humko India bahut pasand by Sulochana Kadam.

    I hope you like it. It was actually a part of the sixth anniversary post on my blog.
    :-)

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    • I remember this being in your anniversary post, but I didn’t get the time back then to listen to the song. Just heard it, and liked it a lot. :-) Thank you for this! Now I want to watch Matlabi Duniya, just to see the song’s picturization.

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  2. Enjoyed reading this post so much! When I was a teenager, I used to listen to Mukesh a lot. The first song that I remember was ‘Meri Jaan Kuchh Bhi Kijiye, Chahe Jaan Meri Kijiye…’ :) not really a favourite, but at that time, I liked it for its funky beats. Also, ‘Jis Gali Mein Tera Ghar…’ Liked it a lot, but I think Mukesh’s voice sounded odd on Rajesh Khanna.

    And oh, ‘Chal Ri Sajni…’ is indeed poignant. And Dev Anand…uff! He looks adorable in the title song. :)

    Now, going to read that post. I am expecting some of my favourites there. :)

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    • Thank you for reading this, and the other post too! TBH, I had completely forgotten Meri jaan kuchh bhi kijiye, even though I’ve seen the film. Talking of Mukesh and funky beats, here’s one delightfully cheery romantic song that I like a lot. It ranks as one of my favourite Mukesh duets, Dekho mausam kya bahaar hai from Opera House:

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  3. Nice song selection, Madhu ji.

    Mukesh doesn’t have many funny songs. One I instantly recall is from Madan Mohan ‘s debut ANKHEN.
    Of course, a duet with Shamshad Begum.

    Humse nain milana BA pass karke.

    M and MM , and we immediately remember
    Bhooli hui yaadon…
    SANJOG
    ( I always see a glimpse of SAARANGA in this. )
    And, the second one, probably
    Preet laga ke maine…
    Same ANKHEN.
    2 entirely different moods.

    A dehati Rajesh Khanna in
    BANDHAN.
    BIina badra ke bijuria…
    Joyful, rustic, romantic.
    RK reminds me of Dilip Kumar of GANGA JAMNA!

    And , funny..
    Ye kaisa aaya zamana…
    HUMJOLI
    With Kishore and Mehmood.

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    • Thank you for those songs – yes, very few funny songs. I guess Mukesh just didn’t give off that ‘funny’ vibe; like Dilip Kumar, he seemed to get slotted into ‘serious’ mode all along. But, also like Dilip Kumar, when he did get to do something other than serious, he showed he could do it pretty well too!

      A special thank you for Bin badra ke bijuriya – I’d completely forgotten that one, though it’s really fun and joyous.

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  4. Mukesh , we had inveterately associated with melancholy, but he has sung many joyous & meaningful songs. Mukesh, Rafi , Manna Dey, Kishor, Talat Mehmood, Lata &Asha were the seven “notes” without whom the golden era of Hindi movie music would be incomplete. Those were the days when music supported the song & was either below it or with it unlike these days of “musical” noise which submerges the song . Of course, technology makes singing far easier today compared to those days when singing & music composition was really an arduous & professional task. Most songs beyond those sung by those seven “notes” have only ephemeral popularity. That Asha didi is with us is the only consolation

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    • So very true. The technology today might make it easier to sing (which is why you have major songs sung not by professional singers but by actors! – Senorita from Zindagi na Milegi Dobara is a case in point), but yes, too, that it takes away from the beauty of really good, professional singing of the type that reigned in the 50s and 60s. Frankly, I don’t even like the tinny artificiality of electronically-generated music: your labelling it ‘noise’ is right on point.

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  5. A lovely selection and one or two unusual ones.
    You are not the only one who didn’t take to Mukesh right away. He sang a few for Dev Anand and Dilip and I didn’t like it.
    But over the years the singers’ personality filters through his voice and Mukesh’s innate goodness came through.
    There was nothing ‘not to like’ about Mukesh Mathur.
    A to Z throughout his career till his premature death he was a ‘baa lamb’.

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    • Indeed. Someone on Facebook yesterday shared a very interesting anecdote to illustrate Mukesh’s sweetness and generosity: about how, being asked to sing a song of which another version had already been sung, he asked to hear the version already recorded. And then laughed, saying “Why did you want me to sing this? This cannot be bettered!” The other singer was an absolute newcomer, someone just stepping into the industry, and struggling. To support rather than try to put down – as many others would – is laudable.

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  7. Great list as always!

    I am not the biggest fan of Mukesh’s songs as I grew up with my mom listening to his saddest songs and did not like how they made me feel. However, as a grown up I have found more to Mukesh songs and have grown to appreciate them. I simply love ‘Woh tere pyar ka gham’! Then there’s ‘Chand aahen bharega’ from “Phool Bane Angaare” (1963) and ‘Zindagi khwab hai’ from “Jagte Raho” (1956). Some are from a later time period like the duet ‘Haan maine bhi pyar kiya’ with Suman Kalyanpur from “Boond Jo Ban Gayee Moti” (1967) or the title song from 1976’s “Kabhi Kabhie”. Granted, I still do not like ‘Bhooli hui yaadon’, ‘Main to ek khwab hoon’, or ‘Koi jab tumhara hriday tod de’, but I appreciate him as a singer more.

    Also, I love “Flop Show”, especially the episodes on government offices and meetings! Thanks for reminding me of it! 😂

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    • Yes, that sadness-inducing aspect of Mukesh’s singing is the main reason I didn’t like him earlier. I guess I have now matured enough to be able to see beyond the misery and appreciate his singing for what it is. Also, of course, I’ve discovered songs of Mukesh that aren’t sad! :-)

      Flop Show was a joy, wasn’t it? When I discovered it on YouTube some time back, I watched a couple of episodes for the sheer fun of it. Must see the others too, sometime.

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  8. Nicely written Madhu.

    I am a big fan of Mukesh, though the songs of his I love (using the word love and not like, as I like many more) are limited to 50, give or take 10. I find him the easiest to sing, after Hemant Kumar. However, my comment is not about how great he is as a singer or how easy his songs are to negotiate. It is about a particular song that I included in my Basu Chatterji book, and in Gaata Rahe Mera Dil. While the details of the song, musical or otherwise, have been mentioned in the book, including how the song servers as a metaphor as the taxi finds its way through a Bombay that was clean (and beautiful), I avoided a particular detail. How it was picturised by Basu-da and KK Mahajan.

    The song is Kai Baar Yun Bhi Dekha Hai. Talking about the same here. Link shared below.

    First of all, the entire taxi journey was shot before the song was recorded (funda courtesy a telephonic interview I had with Preeta Mathur, wife of the late Dinesh Thakur). Lata Mangeshkar was supposed to sing the song, but Suresh Jindal and Basu-da went to Mukesh for reasons which had to do with the cost (as told by Basu-da during my interview with him). KK Mahajan was sitting near the driver with an Arri-2 camera. Interestingly, there are very little jerks despite the camera being handheld. Not an easy task to achieve.

    Secondly, though the scene prominently features Vidya Sinha and Dinesh Thakur, there is a shot when Amol Palekar suddenly pops up in the taxi. During my interview session with Basu-da, I forgot to ask how he managed to shoot that, as the scenes appear to be continuous. Bauddhayan Mukherji, in a talk show where I was also one of the speakers, said that this could have been made possible by Basu-da asking Amol to duck and raise his face only when asked to, with the camera panning away for a split second. Ajay Prabhakar, the assistant to KK Mahajan said that this was probably achieved by freeze-frame method, that is freezing a shot and then shooting a different one with the editor working to join it seamlessly for the screen. Whatever it was, it remains a mystery unsolved. Remember that it was shot in 1972 and within a shoestring budget, when hi-tech stuff was not available, forget digital technology.

    As you know, Mukesh received his first and only National Award for this song. Good for him, though he deserved a few more. National awards, IIRC, are only given to songs from films that make it to the final nomination list. I think Salil Chowdhury-KK Mahajan-G G Mayekar- and Basu Chatterji also deserved something special for designing this song. First and foremost, using a male voice to echo the innermost thoughts of a woman. Secondly, using the song and the journey to reflect on her life and her search for the right partner. Thirdly, matching the rhythm of the song with the movement of the car. For example, the beat picks up when the wheels are in motion. Till then, it is only the voice of Mukesh.

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  9. MUKESH JI TURNS A 100.
    I discovered this fact when I was scanning through the daily newspaper and found an entire page on his life and works in the Sunday magazine, yeah it was Indian Express.
    Your list has many unusual melodies, no doubt the typical dustedoff thing😅
    For me, the 5 best Mukesh numbers would be:
    1. AWARA HOON
    2. O JANEWALE HO SAKE TO LAUT KE AANA
    3.MERA JOOTA HAI JAPANI
    4. YEH MERA DEEWANAPAN HAI
    5. KABHI KABHI MERE DIL MEIN
    in which moods will you classify them?
    Additional note: Mukesh’s voice had a distinct ethos, it cannot be mirrored,even Saigal would hv failed. His poignant tones rip the heart. Sorry for being so much rhetoric!! Wasn’t I?

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  10. Lovely compilation. And very nice comments too. I did not like Mukesh ji’s songs during my younger days although elders at home were his fans. Over the years started to appreciate. Definitely a wonderful singer. I listened to all the songs in this list and felt I had a good time for my heart and the ears.

    One of the first songs I heard in my childhood which much later I realised was the first song of a wonderful actor is posted here as a song that I like a lot –

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  11. Madhu,
    Mukesh won our hearts with something in his voice, the timbre, the poignancy. He became known as the singer of sad songs, though he sang songs of all moods.

    #8 Lovesick: I can understand your reason for not including ‘Saranga teri yaad mein’.

    One can add many more moods, but that would be only adding to your list. However, let me add three more moods if these are not overlapping with yours:

    Deaspair/Hopelessness: Many. One for example:
    “Tumhein zindagi ke ujaale mubarak, andhre humein aajraas aa gaye hain”

    But he has also sang songs of Hope/Expectation:
    “Kabhi dil dil se takrata to hoga, unhein mera khayal aata to hoga”

    And lastly, one about zest for life, excitement for the unknown:
    “Tum kahan le chale ho../Ye safar anjana ye pyar ki hain raahein zara sang mere tum aao to, tum aao to” (duet with Lata Mangeshkar).

    AK

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  12. Hi Madhu Ji,

    Great list, just like your other compilations.

    I admit I have a soft corner for Mukesh.
    I believe he does not get the credit he deserves.
    I feel he is not considered at par with Mohd. Rafi and Kishore Kumar, although he fully deserves to be.

    That said, I like Mukesh’s songs between early 1940s till mid 1960s – for some reasons, I do not enjoy the songs he sang in his later years i.e., say from mid 1960s till his demise.

    There are a few exceptions, such as the Ranjnigandha song mentioned above.
    I love that song !

    One tidbit about song # 6 (“chal ri sanji ab kya soche”):
    S.D. Burman originally composed this for Kishore Kumar.
    He was supposed to sing this.

    For reasons I am not aware of, Dada Burman changed his mind, or maybe Kishore Kumar wasn’t available for the recording, he re-assigned this to Mukesh.
    I believe Mukesh has made this song unforgettable.

    As a side, Dada Burman has pulled several other such last-minute switcheroos.
    For instance, the song “dil aaj shayar hai” from Gambler was assigned to Mohd. Rafi.
    Story goes that Kishore Kumar convinced Dada Burman to let him sing that.

    In the Lovesick category, one song that I can never get out of my mind is “Ansoo Bhari Hain Yeh Jeevan Ki Rahen” from Parvarish.
    That song is totally heart-breaking.

    Thanks for the list – it was a trip down memory lane in these busy times.

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    • I am glad you enjoyed this list. Thank you for the kind words, and for the anecdote about Chal ri sajni – I hadn’t known that. Somehow, after hearing Mukesh sing it, I cannot imagine Kishore singing that song. Mukesh does perfect justice to it: he makes the song his own.

      P.S Aansoo bhari hain is lovely. Thank you for reminding me of that.

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  13. Another “Lovesick” probably lesser heard Mukesh number I like is
    ” Main dhoondhta hoon jinko” from the 1974 movie Thokar composed by Shyamji Ghanshyamji. ….picturised on a very little known actor Baldev Khosa.

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  14. What a lovely post!
    My father was a fan of Mukesh and used to sing his songs in his college days. When cassettes were still part of life, borrowed one from a dear, dear friend and heard ‘Woh tere pyar ka gam’ for the first time. Was hooked onto the song and always think of him whenever I hear this one.

    sharing my favourite Mukesh songs while reminiscing about 2 dearies….

    Cynical Mood – Sab kuch Seekha humne, na sikhi hoshiyaari. Mukesh’s earnest voice perfectly compliments mood of the song.
    Romantic – Chale Janafrom ‘Around the world’. I mentally block out Sharada to enjoy this song.
    Or Yeh Din kya aaye from ‘Chhoti Si Baat’
    How can I forget Ibtida E Ishq mein Hum? Literally grew up listening this one and Teri Yaad Dil Se.
    Mukesh had a mastery over songs of heartbreak.
    Jo pyar tune mujhko diya tha from Dulha Dulhan
    Humne tuzko pyar kiya hai from same movie is also nice.
    or often quoted/misquoted Dost Dost Na Raha. I hate the very premises of movie ‘Sangam’. But, if you hear the song without any context, it is a lovely.
    You should make a separate list for sad songs of Mukesh. Difficult to choose from Jis Dil mein basa tha pyar tera, Mere Toote hue Dil Se, Jane kaha gaye woh din
    Yearning – Aaja re ab mera dil pukara from ‘Aah’. It’s not a solo, but Mukesh’s poignant voice is soul of the song.
    Philosophical – Duniya bananewale from ‘Teesri Kasam’
    Matter of Fact – Mein Pal Do Pal ka shayar hoon

    I cannot categorize Maine Tere liye from ‘Anand’. It is romantic but in a yearning way and still it makes you happy instead of sad.

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    • Thank you so much for those very, very nice songs – there are many there that I had in mind for this post too. Incidentally, Maine tere liye hi was very high up on my list, but I eventually dropped it because I could not figure out how to pin it down. I don’t think it’s romantic, though there’s a lot of love there – and it’s really difficult to grasp. Given your comment about it, I think you can understand what I mean.

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      • Yes, ‘Maine Tere Liye hi’ does not fits any particular category.

        Kahin Karti hogi is another sweet song.
        I sincerely wonder why would anyone want to wait for Biswajeet.
        But when likes of Madhubala, Meena Kumari had to wait for Bharat Bhushan & Pradeep Kumars of the world, who are we to complain.

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        • Coincidentally, I watched Phir Kab Milogi just a couple of weeks back. I had initially begun watching it years ago on Doordarshan, but the electricity had gone – this was before invertors – and so I’d seen only about 10 minutes of it. Now, knowing that it’s a Hrishikesh Mukherjee film (and, honestly, because of the song, which I love), I watched it. It had an interesting, even funnyish first half but after that it goes to the dogs. :-( And yes, why would anybody want to wait for Biswajeet?!

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          • By the way, if you have noticed, Manoj Kumar looks handsome in ‘Ibita e Ishq mein’ song, his smiles are natural and charming
            and perhaps that is why he doesn’t hide his face, even once.
            But Mala ruins it with her rubbing face wash/cream act.
            She is trying to amplify every emotion she is supposed to show. I like her in ‘Lakho tarein’ though.

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            • I actually like Manoj Kumar in several of the 60s suspense films he acted in – he was pretty good-looking and he hadn’t acquired those absolutely horrid mannerisms or those pained expressions (my mother always says that in much of Shor, for instance, he looks ‘constipated’!)

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  18. I agree about Mukesh growing on oneself…it is amazing that so many of us concur to that !! Kuch toh baat hai!!
    Anyhow, a couple of songs , post 1970 (on the edges) , but hummable nonetheless..

    Kai sadiyon se kai janmon se (Milap) . I mentioned this in your ‘ghosts’ list as well

    And Main toh har mod pe tujhko (Chetna)

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  22. Satyam Shivam Sundaram had a couple…
    The more famous one, Chanchal, Sheetal, Nirmal , Komal .. (both Zeenat and Shashi Sa’ab looking very good !)

    And the slightly less heard, Woh Aurat hai tu Mehbooba .. (a duet)

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  23. Talking of duets and childhood…I used to like this a lot as a child as well…
    Hum dono Mil ke (Tumshari kasam) . Navin Nishcol stays a favourite (right down to khosla ka ghosla ) and in fact I have a mental list of my favourite Navin Nishchol songs !!

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  24. I thought to share some of my favorite songs of Mukesh which are not posted here as below:

    Main deewaana mastaana:

    Mehtab tera chehra:

    Jaaoon kahaan bata ae dil:

    Main jaanti hoon tum jhooth bolte ho:

    Pyaase panchhi neel gaga mein:

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    • Thank you, beautiful songs, all of these. I took the liberty of editing your comment to add the names of the songs, since if the video later disappears from YouTube (as is very common), at least one knows what the song was.

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  25. Hi madhu ji !! Thanks for this lovely post. As far as I remember my mukesh ji memories are the songs which he sang for raj kapoor. Later I watche his all songs that oh he sang for others too.

    I recently watched Raja rani . I felt here mukesh ji voice did not suit on rajesh ji at all in song haa toh main kya keh Raha tha. But it suited jeetu ji. Dharam veer tittle song or hum tum chori sey.

    Over the years I like his fast songs more than his somber songs like dum dum diga diga, mere mann ki ganga.

    It’s sheer joy to sing songs like chandan sa badan, Chand si mehbooba, sawan ka mahina, dheere dheere bol koi sunn na le, chand aahey bharega , kahi karti hogi woh mera. He recorded Tulsi das ramayan for saregamapa hmv sincerely.

    Happy 100 years to Mukesh ji. 🙏

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