Mukesh

Mukesh

Mukesh was a Bollywood playback singer who was active from the late 1940's to the early 1970's.  He, along with Kishore Kumar and Mohammad Rafi, are considered to be the three major male playback singers of this period.  Although he was known as a playback singer, on occasion he worked in other capacities such as actor, music director, and producer.

Mukesh Chandra Mathur was born on the 22nd of July 1923, near Delhi.  His father was named Lala Zorawar Chand Mathur, he was an engineer by profession.  His mother was named Chand Rani.  He was the sixth child in a family of 10.

Mukesh's interest in the arts was seen very early.  As a child he used to surreptitiously listen in on his sister when the music teacher would come to teach her.  As he grew older, he became completely mesmerised by the songs of K.L. Saigal.  He used to spend a lot of time imitating him.

After he finished his 10th standard, Mukesh got a job working for the Delhi Dept. of Public Works.  But even while working, his interest was in the arts.  During his time here, he used to experiment with recordings and worked hard to improve his singing.

Once when Mukesh was singing at his sister's wedding, a distant relative of his named Motilal, heard him and was very impressed.  Motilal was a successful actor in Bombay in those days.  Mukesh went to Bombay and stayed with Motilal.  He stayed with him and took singing lessons under Pandit Jagannath Prasad, because in those days, being a competent singer was a requisite for being an actor.  He was determined to make it in the film business.

Mukesh

Mukesh

Mukesh

Mukesh

Mukesh

Mukesh

Mukesh

Mukesh

Mukesh

Mukesh

Mukesh

Mukesh

Mukesh