Acclaimed as one of the greatest music directors of Hindi cinema, Madan Mohan Kohli is remembered for such enchanting compositions as `Naina Barse Rimjhim Rimjhim` (Woh Kami Thi) and `Ae dil mujhe bata de` (Bhai Bhai). After a stint in the army, Madan Mohan joined All India Radio,
Lucknow, where he worked with such musical stalwarts as
Bade Ghulam Ali Khan and Begum Akhtar.
Madan Mohan made his debut as an
Indian film music composer with Devendra Goel`s Aankhen. With his second film, Madhosh, he formed a successful partnership with singers
Lata Mangeshkar and Talat Mahmood. Madan Mohan`s association with Lata Mangeshkar remains one of Hindi cinema`s most creative collaborations. It resulted in such abiding melodies as `Lag ja gale` (Woh Kami Thi), `Tu jahan jahan chalega mem saaya saath hoga` (Mera Saaya), and `Ruke ruke se qadam` (Mausam).
Another of Madan Mohan`s most fruitful associations was with director Chetan Anand, for whom he composed memorable numbers in Haqeeqat, Heer Ranjha, and Hanste Zakhm. In 1970, Madan Mohan received the
National Film Award for the haunting musical score of Dastak. The early 1970s saw him work with such directors as
Hrishikesh Mukherjee, in Bawarchi, and
Gulzar, in Koshish and Mausam.
Madan Mohan has been credited with composing some of the best ghazals of Hindi cinema, such as `Aap ko pyar chhupane ki buri aadat hai` (Neela Akash) and `Aap ki nazron ne samjha` (Anpadh). Though ghazals were Madan Mohan`s forte, his compositions range from the fast paced `Jhumka gira re` to the classical `Nainon mein badra chhaye` (Mera Saaya).
At the time of his death, Madan Mohan was composing music for H.S. Rawail`s Laila Majnu. The film was completed by Jaidev and went on to become one of the biggest musical successes of Hindi Cinema. The Yash Chopra movie
Veer Zaara is credited with the music of Madan Mohan that he had composed before his death. even almost 29 years after his death the maestro successfully ruled the hearts of the people with timeless scores such as, `Tere Liye`, `Main Yahaan Hoon` and `Aisa Des Mera.`
Madan Mohan composed music for the following films:
| Ada |
Gateway of India |
Jahan Ara |
Parwana |
| Madhosh |
Aakhri Dao |
Who Kaun Thi |
Bawarchi |
| Anjaam |
Adalat |
Naya Kanoon |
Koshish |
| Khubsoorat |
Chandan |
Neela Akash |
Hanste Zakhm |
| Bagbi |
Jailor |
Rishte Naate |
Hindustan Ki Kasam |
| Dhun |
Khazanchi |
Dulhan Ek Raat Ki |
Asliyat |
| Ehsan |
Chacha Zindabad |
Ladka Ladki |
Chowkidar |
| Ilzaam |
Bahana |
Mera Saaya |
Mausam |
| Railway Platform |
Sanjog |
Ghar Ka Chirag |
Laila Majnu |
| Bhai Bhai |
Anpadh |
Ek Kali Muskayi |
Saheb Bahadur |
| Pocketmaar |
Akeli Mat Jaiyo |
Chirag |
Inspector Eagle |
| Beti |
Ghazal |
Dastak |
Chaalbaaz |
| Dekh Kabira Roya |
Haqeeqat |
Heer Ranjha |
|
