INCIDENTS in the life of Mukesh, who passed away a year ago, prove that there is something beyond the ken of human comprehension. Three "chances", just three. They carried Mukesh to The pinnacle of success.

The first "chance". Ranjit studio, 1944 or 1945. Raj Kapoor was an assistant director then. On the sets of Jayant desai's "Bansari". At the piano sat a young man absent-mindedly playing a melody that he hummed. He was fair and handsome.

Raj Kapoor was passing by. He heard the music and stood for a while. He inquired who the man was, Mukesh had earlier come to Bombay from Delhi to become an actor and had played a hero in a film, but music attracted him more.

Raj was introduced as Prithviraj Kapoor's son. It was an instant attraction. Through the years, the two became close friends. When Mukesh died a years ago, Raj said : A part of me has gone forever." In lending his voice to the mining of Raj, the ever -smiling Mukesh became the soul to a body.

 Although  he gave great songs to many others, what memorable  ones poured out from his for Raj ! Teri duniya mein dil lagta nahi frim " Bawre Nain" echoed not one screen characters agony, but that of a host of us who felt like strangers in a world that seemed heartless. From this to Honton pe sachhai  rehti hai " and the pathos -laden  Dost dost na raha were of one genre. There were the famous "Awara"  songs that took the music-loving world by storm as also Mera naam raju and Bol radha bol.

"Chance" No. 2, This happened with Mukesh's first hit song, Dil jalta hai to jalne-de. Mazhar Khan's "Pehli  Nazar" was ready for release. When the distributors and critic saw it, they did not approve of the song. "It does not suit the image of hero." They suggested it deletion.

                               Mukesh was in tears and appealed to Mazhar Khan, suggesting a solution. it was hardly a solution. He asked that the song be retained for just the first show. A decision could be taken later depending on the audience reaction. That was some faith in himself!

                             Dil jalta hai to jalne-de received on ovation : People came out of the theatre humming the song. The one-show chance had paid off. "Mark my words," said Mazhar Khan, "A day will come when nothing will be remembered about my film, but your song will be remembered always." That has happened.          

"Chance" No. 3.  September,1971. Mukesh had an experience that further strengthened his beliefs. He was to go to Delhi to give a concert for the Divine Life Society. But, a very bad accident had been forecast for him. The person who had told him this was not a great fortune-teller or a soothsayer. Some close friends and family member were against the Delhi trip.

                            Mukesh brushed aside all fears.  He would take a "chance."  He had promised the show to swami Chidanandji, and would keep his promise . It was there-fore, decided to send his elder son,20-years-old Nitin, with him.

Hrishikesh Mukherjee was with the family. "Hrishida," said Mukesh, " I do not wish to take Nitin to Delhi with me." There was no need to do so, he felt. Hrishikesh insisted on Nitin going. When Mukesh and his party, including Nitin, flew to Delhi, Swami Chidanandji received them at airport and drove them to the Ashoka Hotel. The programme was to be held in the convention hall. Suddenly, the resident in the hotel saw a strange sight. Swamiji sat in the centre  of the lobby, and seemed to be in meditation. He was offering prayers, as if to ward off danger.

The show was a great success and the applause was unending. Then Mukesh did something he had never done before. From the wings, he rushed to the stage to check that his harmonium was packed properly. The curtain was down and he was walking on the edge of the stage next to the curtain. Suddenly he seemed to trip and fall. There was a gasp from the onlookers as there was a bad fall on the other side into the auditorium.

Yet, something unseen checked his fall. A large table gad been left against the stage, and Mukesh fell on it with the curtain underneath him. The table saved  him. His knee was painful and he could hardly move it. Swamiji rushed to him, massaged the knee and muttered 'mantras'. The pain seemed to disappear and Mukesh tried to walk. He slept in his room peacefully.

          The next day when he went to the hospital, it was discovered that he had a compound fracture on his knee, something which could not have allowed him to move even slightly. He did not want to be admitted to hospital, for he would be kept away from Bombay and his family. He returned to Bombay. He had taken the "chance" and come out of it without much harm.

Chance... a tiny word which has shaped the lives of so many. Chance has taken various shapes in our film industry. That is why so many personalities believe in numbers, the use of various alphabets and rush to 'gurus.' The whole industry seems to flourish only on chance.

          In Mukesh's case, it was also faith. It gave him the strength, the sagacity to become the most-loved  personality, adored  by family and friends ....- a friend to all.