Prasenjeet Anand

Remembring Legendary Music Director (7 July 2014 - 31 May 2003) On His Birthday Anniversary
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All these days, I thought that I had already posted this song. It is only just now that I have realised that this song is still missing.

This song is from “Pehli Nazar” (1945) and it is with this song that Mukesh announced his arrival as a playback singer of note.

As can be noticed, Mukesh sang this song in Saigal style. Those were the days when Saigal ruled the roost and every aspiring male singer needed to sing in Saigal style if he hoped to get opportunities in playback singing.

This song is written by Safdar Aah Sitapuri and Anil Biswas is the music director. This song is picturised on Motilal, who incidentally was Mukesh’s relative.

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Mukesh was already on the music scene since 1941, with ‘Nirdosh’ as his debut film as a singer. By 1945, he was still struggling, not having made an impression with the producers, music directors, or the public. Despite the fact that his cousin brothers, Motilal and Moti Sagar tried their best to prop up his career, by 1944, Mukesh was toying with the idea to return to Delhi. During this time, ‘Pehli Nazar’ came to the floors. Motilal, the hero in this film, insisted to the producer director Mazhar Khan to have Mukesh sing for him. At first Mazhar Khan refused. When Motilal insisted and threatened not to proceed with the film, Mazhar Khan put the onus of the decision on Anil Da, the music director. The same story repeated itself. Anil Biswas also refused to take in an (as yet) unsuccessful Mukesh as the singing voice in the film. Motilal and Moti Sagar used the same coercion technique that Motilal will abandon the film. And so both Anil Biswas and Mazhar Khan were brow beaten to accept Mukesh as the playback singer.

Mukesh was very low on morale and confidence, and was actually afraid to even rehease with Anil Biswas, who was a very renowned music director at that time.

Comes the day of the recording. Mukesh prepared to go the recording studio, but suddenly lost his nerve completely. At the recording studios in Malad area, Anil Biswas and the complete orchestra is prepared and waiting for this novice singer, who is late and is no where to be found
True to his devotion to Saigal Saab, Mukesh got the idea of putting down one or two drinks, before going to recording, to build his self confidence. He belived if Saigal Saab could drink and sing, then so could he. So instead of going to Malad, he headed to Juhu Chowpatty, and made way to the Venus bar, and started to drink. But of course he did not stop at two drinks but continued to drink.

At the studio, Anil Da was losing his patience. Moti Sagar was around, but was afraid to say what he knew about Mukesh’s whereabouts. After some time, Anil Da lost his cool and took Moti Sagar to task, asking him where was Mukesh. Sheepishly, Moti Sagar told where the young singer was and what was he doing.

In a fit of continued anger, Anil Da immediately called a taxi and drove to Venus bar. The bar was on the first floor of the hotel. He stormed up the stairs. When Mukesh saw him coming, he was terrified. He tried to get up from the chair, but was completely out of balance. Anil Da caught him by his collar, and literally dragged him down the stairs to the waiting taxi. Mukesh was drunk and incoherent with his apologies, and Anil Da was fuming. When they reached the studio, Anil Da, still holding Mukesh by his collar, dragged him to the bathroom, opened the tap full and shoved Mukesh’s head under the stream of water – and held him there for many minutes till Mukesh became more coherent. Then he let go of Mukesh, and ordered him to report for recording in five minutes.

The fear and the cold water made Mukesh sober up very quickly. And the result of that day’s recording is this iconic song.

What a way to create a timeless hit song.

Ye Ghar Mera Gulshan Hai
Movie : Baharon Phool Barsao 1972
Voice : Noor Jehan

Singer Mukesh "Jane Kahan Gaye Woh Din" full song