PAPA

The name 'Mukesh' to most people conjures up the image of a great singer; a greater human being. But to me it means- " Papa ". When I was asked to write about him, a millions incidents rushed to my minds. I can write a book on him. I thought. When I actually sat down to put my experiences and memories on paper, I failed .

It is always difficult to write about someone you have loved ; adored ; in the past tense, when that someone is also a renowned name, on whom thousands of words have already been written the going gets more difficult. Either the write up is too personal and reeking sentimentality or cold and superficial.

So after days to trying to write on him and failing miserably, I picked these pictures from the family albums and decided to write around them.

( This photograph (1946) was taken immediately after their wedding , which took place in a temple in a Kandiwali , at the residence of Mr. R.D. Mathur.)

Let see !

His marriage. He from a middle class family of the kayastha community. She a loved daughter of millionaire Gujarati Brahmins. Hardly a suitable match ! Especially with him having him no proper house, an erratic in-come and a " immoral " profession ! So thought her family. Thus Mukesh and Sarla eloped.

Everyone made dire predictions of unhappy days and divorce; but both weathered the' lean days and celebrated their thirtieth wedding anniversary on the 22nd July,1976 five days before his departure for the U.S.A. on 27th July,1976.

( This photograph (1952) was taken when she came from Delhi to visit him. Mukesh flanked by his wife Sarla and mother Chand Rani. On his lap are the first two of his five children ,daughter Rita and son Nitin.)

Mukesh earliest memories were of his mother. He worshiped her. She was always there as a great inspiration to him and even after she died in 1960,in the greatest as well as gravest moments of his life, he thought of her ; called out to her. Amongst his last thoughts and words was his " BAUAA "

( That's him looks like an actor, doesn't he ? )

Mukesh came to Bombay in 1940 not to be a playback singer but to be an actor. His acting career was utter flop, but in the process he became an extremely successful singer. Then again in the early fifties he got the " actingbug ".This time he produce a film 'Anurag' starring Usha Kiran, Mridulla, and himself. The film ran into financial difficulties and was never released. Yet the songs of the film, which he composed himself. are evergreen and sung till to-day.

( In this memorable picture taken at the recording of Jis Desh Mein Ganga Bahti Hai , " Hum Bhi Hain Tum Bhin Ho" seated from left to right are singers Geeta Dutt, Lata Mangeshkar, Manna Dey, Mahendra Kapoor and Mukesh. Standing from left to right are Shankar, Raj Kapoor, Recordist Minoo Kartak and Jaikishan. )

His association with Raj Kapoor started in 1946. In on interview on television in Mauritius, Mukesh laughingly called it " Love at first sight !" They shared a unique bond which cannot describe very well on paper. The world know them as ' Body and the soul '. His genial temperament won him the respect and love of all his colleagues.

Papa was known to be on unassuming and humble man. The following incident proves it. He often went abroad to perform and on one such trip Nitin and I both accompanied him to Mauritius . As we deplaned at the airport, a massive crowd broke into cheers and television camera whirred. Nitin turned to him asked, " Papa why are there so many people ? " The very innocent reply was , " I don't know but must be some minister or dignitary arriving ! " Well, they were there to receive him !

( This picture was taken at the town hall show in Mauritius where a hundred thousand people collected to see him sing. " Aawara Hoon " he sang and the entire sea of people danced to his singing. Left to right Nitin ,Nalini and Mukesh,)

How prophetic those words were ! It was the last song he ever recorded.