Mukesh

Early Life

Mukesh Chand Mathur, affectionately known as Mukesh, was born on July 22, 1923, in Delhi, India, into a Mathur Kayastha family. He was the sixth of ten children in his family. His musical journey began at home, where he was inspired by a music teacher who came to teach his sister. Mukesh left school after the 10th grade and briefly worked for the Department of Public Works, where he experimented with voice recordings, honing his singing and instrumental skills.

Career

Mukesh's singing career took off when his distant relative, Motilal, recognized his talent at a family wedding. Motilal brought him to Bombay (now Mumbai) for singing lessons with Pandit Jagannath Prasad. His film debut came in 1941 with the movie "Nirdosh," where he sang his first song, "Dil Hi Bujha Hua Ho To." His breakthrough as a playback singer occurred in 1945 with the hit song "Dil Jalta Hai To Jalne De" from the film "Pehli Nazar." Mukesh's unique style evolved under the guidance of music director Naushad Ali, who helped him move away from imitating his idol, K. L. Saigal. He became the voice of iconic actors like Dilip Kumar, delivering numerous hits throughout his career.

Personal Life

Mukesh married Saral Trivedi, the daughter of a wealthy businessman, on his 23rd birthday in 1946. Their marriage faced challenges due to societal norms, leading them to elope. Despite early predictions of unhappiness, they celebrated their thirtieth wedding anniversary in 1976. The couple had five children, including singer Nitin Mukesh, who is a notable figure in the music industry today.

Legacy

Mukesh is remembered as one of the most beloved playback singers in the Hindi film industry. His song "Kai Baar Yuhi Dekha Hai" from the film "Rajnigandha" earned him the National Film Award for Best Male Playback Singer in 1974. His contributions to music have left an indelible mark, and he is celebrated for his soulful voice and emotional depth in his performances.