Mahendra Kapoor
Encyclopedia
Mahendra Kapoor is a state in the northwest of the Republic of India, forming part of the larger Punjab region. The state is bordered by the Indian states of Himachal Pradesh to the east, Haryana to the south and southeast and Rajasthan to the southwest as well as the Pakistani province of Punjab to the...
, India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
- September 27, 2008, Mumbai
Mumbai
Mumbai , formerly known as Bombay in English, is the capital of the Indian state of Maharashtra. It is the most populous city in India, and the fourth most populous city in the world, with a total metropolitan area population of approximately 20.5 million...
, India) was an Indian playback singer
Playback singer
A playback singer is a singer whose singing is prerecorded for use in movies. Playback singers record songs for soundtracks, and actors or actresses lip-sync the songs for cameras, while the actual singer does not appear on screen.-South Asia:...
.
In a career spanning five decades, his repertoire extended to 25,000 songs in various regional languages, including memorable hits like ‘Chalo ek baar phir se Ajnabi ban jayen hum dono’ Gumrah, ‘Neele gagan ke taale’ Hamraaz
Hamraaz
Hamraaz is a 1967 Hindi film produced and directed by B. R. Chopra. The film stars Sunil Dutt, Raaj Kumar, Mumtaz, Sarika, Madan Puri, Iftekhar, Balraj Sahni, Jeevan, Helen and Vimi. The films music is by Ravi...
, and in various language, but he became synonymous with patriotic songs, with ‘Mere Desh Ki Dharti', in Manoj Kumar’s film Upkaar In 1972, he was awarded the Padma Shri
Padma Shri
Padma Shri is the fourth highest civilian award in the Republic of India, after the Bharat Ratna, the Padma Vibhushan and the Padma Bhushan...
by the Government of India
Government of India
The Government of India, officially known as the Union Government, and also known as the Central Government, was established by the Constitution of India, and is the governing authority of the union of 28 states and seven union territories, collectively called the Republic of India...
.
Biography
Mahendra Kapoor was born in AmritsarAmritsar
Amritsar is a city in the northern part of India and is the administrative headquarters of Amritsar district in the state of Punjab, India. The 2001 Indian census reported the population of the city to be over 1,500,000, with that of the entire district numbering 3,695,077...
, but soon moved to Mumbai
Mumbai
Mumbai , formerly known as Bombay in English, is the capital of the Indian state of Maharashtra. It is the most populous city in India, and the fourth most populous city in the world, with a total metropolitan area population of approximately 20.5 million...
. At an early age he was inspired by singer Mohammed Rafi
Mohammed Rafi
Mohammad Rafi , was an Indian playback singer whose career spanned four decades. He was awarded National Award and 6 Filmfare Awards. In 1967, he was honoured with the Padma Shri awarded by the Government of India....
but soon he started learning classical music under many well known classical singers like Pt.Hussanlal, Pt. Jagannath Bua, Ustad Niaz Ahmed Khan, Ustad Abdul Rehman Khan, Pt.Tulsidaas Sharma. He created a style of his own and won the Metro Murphy All-India singing competition, which led to his debut as a playback singer
Playback singer
A playback singer is a singer whose singing is prerecorded for use in movies. Playback singers record songs for soundtracks, and actors or actresses lip-sync the songs for cameras, while the actual singer does not appear on screen.-South Asia:...
in V. Shantaram
V. Shantaram
V. Shantaram is a renowned Indian filmmaker, film producer and actor. He is most known for his films like Dr...
’s Navrang in 1958, singing Aadha Hai Chandrama Raat Aadhi, under the musical direction of C. Ramchandra
C. Ramchandra
Ramchandra Narhar Chitalkar was a renowned music composer in the movie industry of India. In the composer's role, he mostly used the name C. Ramachandra, though he also used the names Annasaheb , Ram Chitalkar Ramchandra Narhar Chitalkar(Marathi: रामचंद्र नरहर चितळकर /सी.रामचंद्र ) (1918–1982) was...
.
There is an interesting story associated with the recording of the debut song by Kapoor. He was singing "Adha Hai Chandrama" with Asha Bhonsle in the recording box, but due to some chord problem the music director could not hear his voice. He entered the box and asked Kapoor why he was not singing. Then Asha ji explained that he was singing brilliantly. The chord was then checked and the problem was solved, otherwise he would have lost his singing career.
He sang many hit songs of yesteryears, and the most notable ones being those for B.R. Chopra's Films (Dhool Ka Phool
Dhool Ka Phool
Dhool Ka Phool is a 1959 Indian Bollywood film. Produced by B. R. Chopra it was directed by BR's brother Yash Chopra, this being Yash's first movie as a director, having been an assistant director in BR's earlier film Naya Daur. The film stars Mala Sinha, Rajendra Kumar, Nanda, Leela Chitnis,...
, Gumrah, Waqt
Waqt (1965 film)
Waqt is a 1965 Indian film directed by Yash Chopra. It made it onto the BFI's long list of films in consideration for their top ten of Indian films award. It was produced by B.R...
, Hamraaz
Hamraaz
Hamraaz is a 1967 Hindi film produced and directed by B. R. Chopra. The film stars Sunil Dutt, Raaj Kumar, Mumtaz, Sarika, Madan Puri, Iftekhar, Balraj Sahni, Jeevan, Helen and Vimi. The films music is by Ravi...
, Dhund
Dhund
Dhund may refer to:*Dhond Abbasi, a tribe of northern Pakistan.*Dhund - a 1973 Indian film*Dhund - a 2003 Indian film...
etc.) and for Legendary Actor/Director Manoj Kumar
Manoj Kumar
Manoj Kumar is an award-winning Indian actor and director in the Bollywood film industry. He is known for acting in and directing films with patriotic themes, and has been given the nickname "Mr Bharat"...
(Upkaar, Purab Aur Paschim
Purab Aur Paschim
Purab Aur Paschim is a 1970 Indian film. The movie was Produced and directed by Manoj Kumar, it stars Manoj Kumar, Saira Banu, Ashok Kumar, Pran and Prem Chopra in the lead roles. The music is by Kalyanji Anandji...
etc.)
Mahendra Kapoor is well known as The Vibrant Voice of India. Just like Pavarotti, Mahendra too had a very large vocal range with a beautiful vocal timber. He was the first Indian Playback Singer to record music in English. He sang 'Oh Saly please Help me.. & I am Feeling Blue" both which were an amazing feat for an Indian singer to do. He was asked by the famous "Boney M" group to sing their songs in Hindi with Musarat from Pakistan & they recorded the EverHit Pop Album M-3. Some of the songs are "Chori Chori Chalo!! (Original, Hoorray! Hoorray! by Boney M
Boney M
Boney M. is a Eurodisco group created by German record producer Frank Farian. Originally based in Germany, the four original members of the group's official line-up were Jamaicans Liz Mitchell and Marcia Barrett, Maizie Williams from Montserrat and Bobby Farrell from Aruba...
), "O' Meri Champe Ki Daali" etc
Mahendra Kapoor also got a chance to sing a duet with his idol and guru Mohammed Rafi
Mohammed Rafi
Mohammad Rafi , was an Indian playback singer whose career spanned four decades. He was awarded National Award and 6 Filmfare Awards. In 1967, he was honoured with the Padma Shri awarded by the Government of India....
. The song was "Kaisi Haseen Aaj Baharon Ki Raat" from the 1967 film "Aadmi". the song was originally recorded as a duet with Rafi and Talat Mehmood, but Manoj Kumar
Manoj Kumar
Manoj Kumar is an award-winning Indian actor and director in the Bollywood film industry. He is known for acting in and directing films with patriotic themes, and has been given the nickname "Mr Bharat"...
, one of the lead star refused to use Talat's voice for him. So, the song was re-recorded with Kapoor replacing Talat. It is a unique song with Talat and Rafi in the original song and Mahendra Kapoor and Rafi in the Movie version of the song. Also the only duet with these two legends Rafi and Mahendra Kapoor.
He has sung in almost every language in India, and has sung & covered almost every verity of songs such as Patriotic, Romantic, Bhajans, Qawwalis, Naats, & the TV Serial “MAHABHARAT” title song has been the umpteenth feather in his already crowned cap. He sang the highest number of songs in Gujrati, Punjabi & Marathi movies. In Marathi he was very popular for being the voice of Dada Kondke
Dada Kondke
Krishna Kondke , popularly known as Dada Kondke, was a Marathi actor and film producer. He was one of the most renowned personalities in Marathi film industry, famous for his double entendre dialogs in movies....
in all his movies. In spite of being associated with Dada Kondke's colloquial style his singing for Marathi movies was not limited to Dada Kondke's movies only. His son Rohan Kapoor
Rohan Kapoor
Rohan Kapoor is a Hindi actor and singer, son of Mahendra Kapoor. He started his film career at the age of 16 as an assistant director with Manoj Kumar for the film Kranti. After that, he became active on the stage with Shafi Inammdar and even acted for two of his most popular plays - Neela Kamra...
is an actor/Singer. He Acted in a few films in the 1980s such as Yash Chopra
Yash Chopra
Yash Raj Chopra is an Indian filmmaker, film director, screenwriter, and a highly successful Bollywood producer. Waqt, Deewar, Kabhi Kabhie, Silsila, Lamhe, Chandni, Darr, Dil To Pagal Hai, and Veer-Zaara are some of his highly popular movies...
's Faasle
Faasle
Faasle is a 1985 Bollywood film produced and directed by Yash Chopra.The film stars Sunil Dutt, Rekha, Farooq Shaikh, Deepti Naval, Raj Kiran, Rohan Kapoor, Farha, Sushma Seth and Alok Nath. The film is the debut film for Rohan Kapoor son of singer Mahinder Kapoor and actress Farha, niece of...
(1985) and Love 86
Love 86
Love 86 is a 1986 Bollywood film directed by Esmayeel Shroff and starring Tanuja, Govinda, Rohan Kapoor, Farha Naaz and Neelam.-Cast:*Tanuja as Laxmidevi*Rohan Kapoor as Omi*Farha Naaz as Leena*Neelam as Esha*Govinda as Vikram Doshi...
(1986), Prakash Mehra's Imandaar and later did stage shows along with his father & is a well trained singer. He cut several Albums in India & UK.
On September 27, 2008, he died following a cardiac failure, he is survived by his wife, three daughters and Actor / Singer son Rohan Kapoor
Rohan Kapoor
Rohan Kapoor is a Hindi actor and singer, son of Mahendra Kapoor. He started his film career at the age of 16 as an assistant director with Manoj Kumar for the film Kranti. After that, he became active on the stage with Shafi Inammdar and even acted for two of his most popular plays - Neela Kamra...
alias Ruhan Kapoor.
Notable songs
HindiHindi
Standard Hindi, or more precisely Modern Standard Hindi, also known as Manak Hindi , High Hindi, Nagari Hindi, and Literary Hindi, is a standardized and sanskritized register of the Hindustani language derived from the Khariboli dialect of Delhi...
- Neele Gagan Ke Tale - HamraazHamraazHamraaz is a 1967 Hindi film produced and directed by B. R. Chopra. The film stars Sunil Dutt, Raaj Kumar, Mumtaz, Sarika, Madan Puri, Iftekhar, Balraj Sahni, Jeevan, Helen and Vimi. The films music is by Ravi...
(1967) - Chalo Ek Baar - Gumrah (1963)
- Kisi Pathar Ki Moorat Se - HamraazHamraazHamraaz is a 1967 Hindi film produced and directed by B. R. Chopra. The film stars Sunil Dutt, Raaj Kumar, Mumtaz, Sarika, Madan Puri, Iftekhar, Balraj Sahni, Jeevan, Helen and Vimi. The films music is by Ravi...
(1967) - Lakhon Hain Yahan Dilwale - KismatKismat (1968 film)- Track listing :Originally, the film consisted of 6 soundtracks .- Additional tracks :In mid-2000, two additional tracks were added known as revival versions for Aao Huzoor Tum Ko and Kajra Mohabbat Wala songs...
(1968) - Mere Desh Ki Dharti - UpkarUpkarUpkar is a 1967 Indian Hindi film directed by Manoj Kumar. Manoj Kumar started his Mr Bharat persona and his brand of patriotism & fearless courage with this film.-Plot:...
(1967) - Iktara Bole - Yaadgar (1970)
- Aur Nahin Bas Aur Nahin - Roti Kapada Aur Makaan (1974)
- Bharat Ka Rahnewala Hoon - Purab Aur PaschimPurab Aur PaschimPurab Aur Paschim is a 1970 Indian film. The movie was Produced and directed by Manoj Kumar, it stars Manoj Kumar, Saira Banu, Ashok Kumar, Pran and Prem Chopra in the lead roles. The music is by Kalyanji Anandji...
(1970) - Fakira Chal Chala Chal - FakiraFakiraFakira is a 1976 Hindi movie produced by N.N. Sippy and directed by C.P. Dixit. The film stars Shashi Kapoor, Shabana Azmi, Asrani, Aruna Irani, Danny Denzongpa, Asit Sen, Ramesh Deo, Madan Puri and Shetty. The music is by Ravindra Jain. The film became a box office hit. The film's team of...
(1975) - Badal Jaye Agar Mali - Baharen Phir Bhi AayengiBaharen Phir Bhi AayengiBaharen Phir Bhi Aayengi is a 1966 Hindi-language film. Produced by Guru Dutt and directed by Shaheed Latif. It stars Mala Sinha, Dharmendra, Tanuja, and Rehman. The film is still remembered for its music is by O.P...
(1966) - Mera Pyar Woh Hai - Yeh Raat Phir Na Aayegi (1965)
- Tum Agar Saat Dene Ka Wada Karo - HamraazHamraazHamraaz is a 1967 Hindi film produced and directed by B. R. Chopra. The film stars Sunil Dutt, Raaj Kumar, Mumtaz, Sarika, Madan Puri, Iftekhar, Balraj Sahni, Jeevan, Helen and Vimi. The films music is by Ravi...
(1967) - Ab ke Baras - KrantiKrantiKranti is a 1981 Indian Hindi film. Produced and directed by Manoj Kumar, starring Manoj Kumar along with a very large cast consisting of Dilip Kumar, Shashi Kapoor, Hema Malini, Shatrughan Sinha, Parveen Babi, Sarika, Prem Chopra, Madan Puri and Paintlal. The story was written by Javed Akhtar...
(1981) - Tere Pyaar Ka Aasra - Dhool Ka PhoolDhool Ka PhoolDhool Ka Phool is a 1959 Indian Bollywood film. Produced by B. R. Chopra it was directed by BR's brother Yash Chopra, this being Yash's first movie as a director, having been an assistant director in BR's earlier film Naya Daur. The film stars Mala Sinha, Rajendra Kumar, Nanda, Leela Chitnis,...
(1959) - Na muh chupa ke jiyo na sar jhuka ke jiyo - HamraazHamraazHamraaz is a 1967 Hindi film produced and directed by B. R. Chopra. The film stars Sunil Dutt, Raaj Kumar, Mumtaz, Sarika, Madan Puri, Iftekhar, Balraj Sahni, Jeevan, Helen and Vimi. The films music is by Ravi...
(1967) - Na Kisi Ki Aankh Ka Noor Hoon - Bahadur Shah Zafar
Marathi
Marathi language
Marathi is an Indo-Aryan language spoken by the Marathi people of western and central India. It is the official language of the state of Maharashtra. There are over 68 million fluent speakers worldwide. Marathi has the fourth largest number of native speakers in India and is the fifteenth most...
- Ti Yete Aneeka Jate..Yetana kadhi kalya aneete
- He Chincheche zad dise maj chinar vrukshapari
- Ratris khel chale ya gudh chandanyacha, sampel na kadhihi ha khel savalyancha
- Abol Zalis ka saajani..
- Saang kadhi kalanar tula..
- Sur tech chhedita..
- Madhu ithe ana chandra tithe..
- Swapnaat pahile je te roop hech hote..
- Nako menaka nako urvashi.. and many more..(This is excluding Dada Kondake film hits.)
Awards
- National Film Award for Best Male Playback SingerNational Film Award for Best Male Playback SingerThe following is a list of winners of the National Film Award for Best Male Playback Singer. The singer with the most awards in this category is K. J. Yesudas with seven wins, whereas S. P. Balasubrahmanyam won six times for 4 different languages; Hindi, Kannada, Tamil and Telugu.-Superlatives:...
- 1968 Won - "Mere Desh Ki Dharti" - UpkarUpkarUpkar is a 1967 Indian Hindi film directed by Manoj Kumar. Manoj Kumar started his Mr Bharat persona and his brand of patriotism & fearless courage with this film.-Plot:...
- 1968 Won - "Mere Desh Ki Dharti" - Upkar
- Filmfare Award for Best Male Playback Singer
- 1964 Won - "Chalo Ek Bar" - Gumrah
- 1968 Won - "Neele Gagan Ke Tale" - HamraazHamraazHamraaz is a 1967 Hindi film produced and directed by B. R. Chopra. The film stars Sunil Dutt, Raaj Kumar, Mumtaz, Sarika, Madan Puri, Iftekhar, Balraj Sahni, Jeevan, Helen and Vimi. The films music is by Ravi...
- 1968 Nominated - "Mere Desh Ki Dharti" - UpkarUpkarUpkar is a 1967 Indian Hindi film directed by Manoj Kumar. Manoj Kumar started his Mr Bharat persona and his brand of patriotism & fearless courage with this film.-Plot:...
- 1975 Won - "Aur Nahi Bus Aur Nahi" - Roti Kapda Aur MakaanRoti Kapda Aur MakaanRoti Kapda Aur Makaan is a 1974 Indian Bollywood Hindi-language film. It was written, produced, directed by and stars Manoj Kumar, alongside Shashi Kapoor, Zeenat Aman, Amitabh Bachchan, Moushmi Chatterjee, Prem Nath and Madan Puri in pivotal roles...
- 1977 Nominated - "Sunke Teri Pukar" - Fakira
External links
- Pay tribute and know more about Mahendra Kapoor