No One Could Sing The Way Mukesh Did ~ Salil Chowdhury

Each word from his lips was a pearl. No one could sing the way Mukesh did, with the right diction, inflexion and intonation. His vocal timbre was out of this world. Almost each song I composed to capitalize on this timbre was an instant draw. Initially, I thought of Hemant Kumar as Dilip Kumar’s playback for “Suhana safar” in ‘Madhumati’. But Shailendra persuaded me that Mukesh suited Dilip Kumar no less than he did Raj Kapoor. The moment I recorded Suhana safar, I knew Mukesh’s vocals had captured the spirit of that verdant setting in ‘Madhumati’. In later years, Mukesh brought rare depth of expression to my “Kahin door jab din dhal jaaye” I still feel, ranks as my best for Mukesh.

Reminisced Salil Chowdhury in 1976, about the aural ambrosia called Mukesh.

There’s was an extraordinary combination which brought in exclusive songs in Hindi film music. Mukesh always sounded so mellifluous in a Salil da song. The combination had a serene and placid dream-like beauty in it. The nasal tinge in his voice always appealed to his fans. His voice always touched deeply. His voice was like a voice of the soul. He had that “kashish” in his voice. Salil Chowdhury utilised this quality of his so adeptly in all his compositions that listening to it one feels like – no one but Mukesh could have rendered these songs. He was one the music directors who was responsible for removing the Saigal tinge in his voice. His voice charmed its way into people’s heart and Mukesh rightly secured his position in the Legend club.

A glimpse of Mukesh songs under the baton of Salil Chowdhury –

1. Madhumati (1958) – One of Hindi cinema’s greatest score. An anthem in praise of the natural beauty. Mukesh’s voice emanates the joy with a fantastic echo effect.

2. Jaagte Raho (1956) – The song always gives a double delight. It is fun to watch Motilal & Raj Kapoor on screen, fun to hear light hearted Mukesh’s voice. Though Raj Kapoor is on screen, Motilal gets to lip sync this Mukesh number.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GQZaG5SZRYk

3. Anand (1971) – This Anand song can’t go missing from Mukesh-Salil da combo list. A lovely philosophical song with that perfection in Mukesh’s voice, divinity of Salil da’s music and poignant lyrics by Yogesh.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BmYT79bYIQw

4. Rajnigandha (1974) – The fluctuation of mind so aptly described in this Mukesh – Salil da song. It won Mukesh a National award. The music so perfectly highlights the richness of his voice.

5. Chhoti Si Baat (1975) – An year later another gem by this combo came up, picturised on the same pair of Amol Palekar – Vidya Sinha. Lively & playful, Mukesh’s voice sounds just scrumptious in it.

6. Chaar Diwari (1961) – A maddening song picturised on Manmohan Krishna. Misery of present well depicted with Shailendra’s words.

7. Annadata (1972) – Filled with anguish and heartbreak. A potent blend of minimal music and Mukesh’s voice.

8. Mitti Ka Dev (1970) – This film was made by Salil Da’s younger brother Samir but the film print got destroyed. Lyrics were later used by Gulzar in his album Marasim.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QaAIWnguBpI