Mukesh, the great singer of Indian film industry was renowned for his unforgettable voice and the number of songs he gifted to the industry. His dynamic voice is still alive as it used to be at his time among his fans and in the Bollywood.
As Mukesh had the desire to be a singer from his boyhood, he moved to Delhi in 1940 with a wish to try his luck in the Hindi film industry. During this time, Mukesh had recorded secretly some non filmy songs in Delhi. After a few days of nomadic rambling, Mukesh sang the song "Dil Hi Bujha Hua Ho To" in the film `Nirdosh` which was his debut as a singer. In 1944 he followed with a duet song "Jara Boli Ri Ho" with singer Kusum for the film `Us Paar`. In 1945 he sang the song with Khursheed "Badariya baras gayi us paar" for the film `Murti`. During this time, his voice was noted by a number of people and he had established a small place for himself in the hearts of his audience. After his initial journey, Mukesh started getting offers from music directors and composers. In 1945, Anil Biswas asked him to record a song "dil jalta hai to jalne de" on `Darbari` raag for the film `Pehli Nazar`. After the great hit of this song, Mukesh got offers for the films like `Aag`, `Anokhi Ada`, `Mela`, `Veena` and `Vidya`.
The year 1949 was a milestone in the life of Mukesh. He bagged the offer of singing with the music of two young musicians Shanker and Jaikishen. The young Raj Kapoor asked them to provide music for his own films. Shanker-Jaikishen asked Mukesh to sing for them. From then afterwards the voice of Mukesh was recognised with the actor Raj Kapoor. Films like `Aawara` and `Shree 420` spread the voice of Mukesh and the songs like "aawara hoon" and "mera joota hai japani" became very famous. Mukesh`s individuality was recognised in the songs from the films `Mela` (1948) and particularly `Andaaz` (1949) under the influence and guidance of Naushad. Mukesh was identified for the songs of `Andaaz` (1949) which was a major triumph for Mukesh. All his four solos were raging hits like `Tu Kahe Agar`, `Jhoom Jhoom ke Naacho Aaj`, `Hum Aaj Kahin Dil Kho Baite`, `Toote na Dil Toote na`.
Mukesh`s partnership with Raj Kapoor that started with `Aag` in 1948 was a huge success with the composition of Ram Ganguly in the song `Zinda Hoon Is Tarah`. This was accompanied with the composition of R.D. Burman in `Ek Din Bik Jaayega` in the film `Dharam Karam` (1975). Later Mukesh gave innumerable hits from the films `Awaara` (1951), `Shri 420` (1955), `Parvarish` (1958), `Anadi` (1959), `Sangam` (1964), `Mera Naam Joker` (1970). Though time did not favour Mukesh always Mukesh made an exclusive come back with the song `Yeh Mera Deewanapan Hai` from Yahudi (1958).Other hits that year like `Madhumati`, `Parvarish` and `Phir Subah Hogi` meant there was no turning back. Later Mukesh worked with S.D. Burman who composed those two masterpieces for the singer `Chal ri Sajni` from `ombay ka Babu` (1960) and `O Jaanewaale Ho Sake to Laut ke Aana` from `Bandini` (1963). The later hits of Mukesh were `Main to Ek Khwab Hoon` from `Himalay ki God Mein` (1965), `Jeena Yahaan Marna Yahaan` from `Mera Naam Joker`, `Maine Tere Liye hi Saat Rang ke Sanpne Chune` from `Anand` (1970), `Main na Bhoolonga` from `Roti, Kapda Aur Makan` (1974) , `Main Pal do Pal ka Shayar Hoon` and `Kabhi Kabhie` from `Kabhi Kabhie` (1976).
Working with various music directors, music composers and lyricists and co singers like Laxmikant Pyarelal, Kalyanji Anandji, Salil Choudhary, Usha Khanna, R.D. Burman, and S.D. Burman proved to be beneficial for the career of Mukesh. Another music director to have used Mukesh`s voice well was Khaiyyam. The lyrics of Sahir Ludhianvi, Khaiyyam`s music and Mukesh`s voice created magic in the film `Kabhi Kabhie`. His song `Chanchal, Sheetal, Nirmal, Koma`l from Satyam Shivam Sundaram (1978) gave him the ultimate fame.
Mukesh received Filmfare awards for his great works and his devotion in the film industry. Songs like `Sab Kuchh Seekha Hamne Anari`, `Sabse Bada Nadan Wahi Hai`,
`Jai Bolo Beiman Ki Jai Bolo`, `Kai Baar Yun Bhi Dekha Hai` `Kabhi Kabhee Mere Dil Mein`, `Hothon Pe Sacchai`, `Dost Dost Na Raha`, ` Sawan Ka Mahina` , `Bas Yehi Apradh Main`, `Ek Pyar Ka Nagma`, `Main Na Bhoolunga`, `Main Pal Do Pal Ka Shayar`, `Ek Din Bik Jayega, Maati Ke`, `Suhani Chandni Raten`, `Chanchal Sheetal` brought the fame and name he deserved along with the awards in various category.
