Hemanta Mukherjee, the name is good enough for representing an era a legend of Indian Playback Music & Songs. Perhaps the most velvety voice with sweetest of tone among the male singers of his time. People used to call him Hemanta da, A friend Philosopher & guide for many in Mumbai, Kolkata & across India.
Lata Mangeshkar the living legend herself called him saint of singing. Today on his birthday everyone remembering this legend & missing.
Honourable Chief Minister of West Bengal Smt. Mamata Banerjee, paid her deepest regard and tribute through her tweet.
The megastar of Tollywood Prosenjit Chatterjee also paid high regards & tribute to Hemanta uncle.
Homage to Hemanta Mukhopadhyay on his birth anniversary pic.twitter.com/RfPXOl3K1C
— Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) June 16, 2016
Happy birthday to the legendary versatile singer who has made all the Bengali proud.Hemanta jethu u r an inspiration pic.twitter.com/x2fM9P1NMu
— Prosenjit Chatterjee (@prosenjitbumba) June 16, 2016
Native name | হেমন্ত কুমার মুখোপাধ্যায় |
---|---|
Birth name | Hemanta Kumar Mukhopadhyay |
Born | 16 June 1920 Varanasi, Benares State,British India (now in Uttar Pradesh, India) |
Died | 26 September 1989 (aged 69) Kolkata, West Bengal, India |
Genres | World music, Pop |
Occupation(s) | Singer, music director, producer |
Instruments | singing |
Years active | 1935–1989 |
Hemant Kumar – The Singer10. Halke halke chalo sanwre
Hemant Kumar had a unique way of making each duet sounding special. My love for this genius tarted with this duet from Tangewali with Lata Mangeshkar. Beautiful melodious tune.
9. Rahi tu mat gabhraanaa
The title song from Door Gagan ke Chhaon Mein never fails to inspire me… Beautiful music by Kishore Kumar and equally beautiful voice from Hemant Kumar.
8. Ye nayan dare dare
In the thriller movie Kohra, Hemant Da came up with this beautiful romantic number in his own voice and music. It had a beautiful mixture of romance and fear in this number.
7. Ya dil ki sunon
When a sad Dharmender speaks out in the voice of Hemant Kumar…. Either you listen to my heart or let me be silent…. The words get to our heart with an unusual effect. The music and voice of Hemant Kumar with Kaifi Azmi’s words, have a great effect.
6. Naa tum humein jaano
This song from Baat Ek Raat Ki has two separate solo versions. I like both, but still I prefer the Hemant Kumar version…. It is so slow, soothing and engrossing that one feels like listening to it over and over again.
5. Na yeh chaand hoga
Ultimate song when it comes to promises… The movie Shart has been forgotten and so are its stars…. But this song remains as popular as it ever was. Beautiful lyrics by SH Bihari. Music by Hemant Kumar again.
4. Tum pukarlo
By many, this song is considered to be the best of Hemant. It has a distant humming to it that feels like pulling you with the song. Again, Hemant Kumar excels in his own music.
3. Yeh raat yeh chandni
One of the early hits of Hemant Kumar came with the Dev Anand Starrer – Jaal. I like both the solo as well as duet versions of this song. The solo has a plyful mood to it and talks of the excitement of the night. The duet on the other hand, talks of the sorrows of life. Awesome…
2. Chhupaalon yuun dil mein pyaar
Definitely one of the greatest classical based duet songs ever to hit Indian cinema. This number is one of my favourites and every time a top 10 list of Hemant Da comes up, you are bound to see this… and why not? The song has magic in it….
1. Jaag dard-e-ishq
Anarkali may have been better remembered for Lata Solos…. but for me, this duet song of Hemant – Lata stars as the most mnesmerising song of the movie…. This is my personal favourite of Hemant Kumar. Rajinder Krishen’s words and C Ramachandra’s music have made magic with this song.
Hemant Kumar – Music Director
Here I will list down only those songs, composed by Hemant Kumar, but not in his voice.
10. Nani tero morni ko mor
This is the ultimate children’s song till date. I don’t know the movie or the singers, but the song is definitely set in a great child like innocence.
9. Bhanwra bada naadaan hai
Geeta Dutt’s voice was tested to the height of being “naughty” with this song from Sahib Biwi aur Ghulam.
8. Hum laaye hain toofaan se kashti
- De di humein aazaadi bina
- Aao bachchon tumhe dikhaaye
I could not decide which song is better among these three identical patriotic songs. I have learnt them from my childhood when I had not even heard of Hemant Kumar. Sung by Mohd. Rafi, Lata Mangeshkar and Pradeep respectively, all these songs are from the film Jagriti.
7. Tan dole mera man dole
This song had topped the Binaca geet Mala in 1950s… Till date the snake charmer tune used by Hemant Kumar in this movie remains as the standard in the industry.
6. Hawaon pe likh do
Kishore Kumar’s voice was always used on a very serious note by Hemant Kumar. This song from Do Dooni Chaar has been one of my most favourite Kishore Kumar Numbers.
5, Woh shaam kuchh ajib thi
Talking of the Hemant-Kishore combo… who can forget the soulful song from Khamoshi? This song shows the spectrum of Hemant Kumar as a MD, from naughty numbers to romantic to patriotic to sad songs….
4. Mera dil ye pukare aajaa
This solo from Nagin is very dear to me. I find Lata’s voice so pure and so musical in this song. Hemant Kumar has used the minimum musical instruments and he has done wonders using this beautiful voice.
3. Naa jaao saiyaan
Who has not heard of this number from Sahib Biwi aur Ghulam? The pathos of a desparate wife trying to woo her husband…. Again… great composition.
2. Kahin deep jale kahin Dil
If Hemant Kumar set the standards of snake charming music with Nagin, he did the same for the thriller music with Kahin Deep Jale Kahin Dil in Bees Saal Baad. Undoubtedly the most popular “haunting melody” of Indian cinema.
1. Vande Mataram
Do I need to say anything about this song? Even more than half a century since its release, this song remains as the icon of patriotic songs in India. Lata Mangeshkar’s voice is good enough to make one feel patriotic and Hemant Kumar’s music is awesome.