In today’s weekend blog, I am writing about one of the great playback singer of Bollywood. He was very famous in 1950s till mid of 1960s. In his career he must have given playback to all the leading stars of that era. He was known for his soft and silken voice and was very famous for singing ghazals. Although he also acted in about 15 films but could not achieve much success as an actor. I am talking about TALAT MAHMOOD.
He was born in Lucknow (UP) on 24th February 1924. from very young age he was showing yearning for musical career. Coming from very conservative Muslim family, singing was not encouraged. Despite his parents objections he chose singing as his career and left home. His voice haad a distinct singing quality, which was quite different fron the singers of that era. HMV was quick to notice this and offered Talat his first disc in 1941. In 1944 he sang the popular hit “ Tasveer Teri Dil Mera Behla Na Sakegi”, this disc brought him the fame and soon he was beckoned by Calcutta film industry.
In 1949 Talat moved to Bombay to sing for Bollywood. He got hiss big break with composer Anil Biswas in 1950 film Arzoo, and his song “ Ae Dil Mujhe Aisi Jagah Le Chal, Jahan Koi Na Ho” was a chart buster, and within next few he established himself as playback singer. Simultaneously he tried his hand in acting. Some of his famous films were Waris, Ek Gaon Ki Kahani, Lala Rukh, Sone Ki Chidiya. But in acting he did not prosper much, by end of 1950s he started concentrating on his singing career and left acting.
By 1960s the advent of music changed, and fast numbers started gaining populrity, and this was not Talat’s forte, and after mid 60s his career was on decline. However, Talat was one of the first Indian singer to go on foreign concert tours in 1956 to East Africa, USA, UK and West Indies. He continued singing till 1991, when he toured Netherlands.
Talat married a Bengali christian girl Latika Mullick, and renamed as Nasreen. They had two sons. He expired on 9th May 1998.
I am listing below some of Talat Mahmood’s songs which are my favourite, with their YouTube link. Please note that the songs are listed in Random Order.
1 Yeh Hawa Yeh Raat Yeh Chandani, Teri Is Asa Pe Nissar Hain– 1952-Sangdil (F), Rajinder Krishan (Lyricist), Sajjad Hussain (Music Director) On screen Dilip Kumar.
2 Phir Wohi Shaam Wohi Gham , Wohi Tanhai Hai– 1964- Jahanara (F), Rajinder Krishan (L), Madan Mohan (MD). On ecreen Bharat Bhushan.
3 Jayen To Jayen Kahan– 1954- Taxi Driver (F), Sahir Ludhianvi (L), Sd Burman (MD). on screen Dev Anand.
4 Tasveer Banata Hoon , Tasveer Nahin Banti– 1955-Baradari (F), Kumar Barabanki (L), Naashad (MD). On screen Chandrashekhar.
5 Shamm E Gham Ki Kasam , Aaj Ghamgeen Hain Hum– 1953- Footpath (F), Sardar Ali Jafri (L), Khayyam (MD). On screen Dilip Kumar.
6 Milte Hi Ankhen Dil Hua Deewana Kisi Ka– 1950-Babul (F), Shakeel Badayuni (L), Naushad (MD), with Shamshad Begum (S). On screen Dilip Kumar & Mmunnawar Sultana.
7 Dil E Naadan Tujhe Hua Kya Hai-1955– Mirza Ghalib (F) & (L). Ghulam Mohd. With Suraiya as singer. On screen Bharat Bhushan & Suraiya.
8 Meri Yaad Mein Tum Na Ansoo Bahana– 1951-Bahana (F), Raja Mehndi Ali Khan (L), Madan Mohan(MD). On screen – not known.
9 Jalte Hain Jiske Liye, Teri Ankhon Ke Diye-1959- Sujata (F), Majrooh Sultanpuri (L), SD Burman (MD). On screen Sunil Dutt with Nutan.
10 Ae Mere Dil Kahin Aur Chal, Gham Ki Duniya Se Dil Bhar Gaya– 1953- Daag (F), Shailendra (L), Shankar Jaikishan (MD). On screen Dilip Kumar.
11 Itna Na Mujh Se Tu Pyar Badah, Main Ek Badal Awara-1961-Chaya (F), Rajender Krishan (L), Salil Choudhary (MD). With Lata Mangeshkar singer. On screen sunil Dutt and Asha Parekh
12 Pyar Par Bas To Nahin Ha Mera Lekin– 1958- Sone Ki Chidiya- Sahir Ludhianvi (L), OP Nayyar (MD),with Asha Bhosle as singer. On screen Talat Mahmood and Nutan.
13 Raahi Matwale Tu Ched Ek Baaar Man Ka Sitar-1954- Waaris (F), Majrooh Sultanpuri (L), Anil Biswas (MD), with Suraiya as singer. On screen Talat Mahmood and Suraiya.
14 Hain Sabse Madhur Woh Geet Jinhe Hum Dard Ke Sur Hain-!953- Patita (F), Shailendra (L), Shankar Jaikishan (MD).On screen Dev Anand and Usha Kiran.
15 Aaha Rimjhim Ke Pyare Pyare Geet Liye, Aayi Raat Suhani-1960-Usne Kaha Tha (F). Shailendra(L), Salil Choudhari (MD). On screen Sunil Dutta & Nanda.
There are amny more Talat’s hit song, but I restricted my list to 15 songs. Hope you will like the same.
Waiting for your views & comments
Anil Malik
Mumbai, India
9th April 2021
Tushar Khanna
Nice got to know about him
R. N. Mungale.
Very nice information.