From the moment Bhupinder Singh sang Gulzar’s lines “Naam Gum Jaayega, Chehra Ye Badal Jayega, Meri Awaaz hi Pahchan hai, Gar Yaad Rahe” in Kinara (1977), he knew that the song was conveying his only wish, to be remembered for his voice. And surely enough, we all remember him for his “Awaaz,” a beautiful, velvety voice, deep with thoughts and full of emotions.
Early Life and Career
Bhupinder Singh was born on February 6, 1940, in Amritsar, Punjab, to a musical family. His father, Natha Singh, was a trained vocalist who taught him the basics of singing.
Bhupinder started his career as a guitarist and a casual artist for All India Radio and Doordarshan in Delhi. He got his big break in 1964, when Madan Mohan heard a ghazal sung by him and decided to use him in the song “Hoke Majboor Mujhe Usne Bulaya Hoga” along with Mohammed Rafi, Talat Mahmood and Manna Dey for the film “Haqeeqat,” The Ghazal that impressed Madan Mohan was “Lagta Nahin Hai Ji Mera,” written by Bahadur Shah Zafar, which he sang for an AIR program celebrating Bahadur Shah’s birth anniversary.
Breakthrough of Bhupinder Singh
Although, the songs of Haqeeqat went on to become classics, Bhupinder did not get many offers; in his early days. In this period he sang only a handful of songs like “Nayi Umar Ke Naye Sitaro ( Nai Umar Ki Nai Fasal),” “Rut Jawan Jawan Raat Meharban (Aakhri Khat)”, “Aapko Jo Dekhega (Badal),” “Ghayal Hirni Ban Ban Bhatke (Dulhan Ek Raat Ki),” “Jagat Mein Koi Na Tera Mera (Raat Aur Din),” “Yaaron Humara Kya (Abhilasha),” and ” Yaaro Neelaam Karo Susti (Prem Pujari).”
Bhupinder’s real break through came with his collaboration with R.D. Burman and Gulzar, starting with “Parichay (1972).” In Parichay, he sang “Beeti Naa Bitaayi Raina,” and “Mitwa Bole Meethe Bain.”
He also sang for films like “Raja Rani (Jab Andhera Hota Hai),” “Savera (Yeh Zindagi Hai Chaar Pal),” “Faslah (Dil Ne Tadap Tadap Ke),” “Manzilein Aur Bhi Hain (Har Ek Saans Hai Mehmaan Kuch Pahar Ke Liye),” “Aandhi (Salaam Kijiye Aali Janab Aaye Hain),” “Andolan (Dar-O-Deewar Pe Hasrat Se Nazar Karte Hain),” “Alaap(Aayi Ritu Saawan Ki),” and “Bhumika(Sawan Ke Din Aaye Sajanwa Aan Milo).”
Best Songs of Bhupinder
One of his most memorable song “Dil Dhoondta hai” came in Gulzar’s Mausam (1975). Bhupinder also sang “Do diwane shahar mein,” in Bhim Sain’s Gharaonda, and “Naam gum jayega” in Gulzar’s Kinara (1977). He worked with Kanu Roy in Basu Bhattacharya’s Griha Pravesh (1979). In the film he sang “Machal Ke Jab Bhi Aankhon Se,” and “Logon Ke Ghar Mein Rehta Hoon.” In 1985 he snag “Kisi Nazar Ko Tera Intezar Aaj Bhi Hai” and “Awaaz Di Hai Aaj Ik Nazar Ne,” in Aitbaar.
Bhupinder went on to sing many memorable songs such as “Zahar Deta Hai Mujhe Koi” in Wohi Baat, “Oobi Aankhon Mein Tooti Hui Neend Hai” in Chakra, “Thodi Si Zamin Thoda Aasman” in Sitara, “Karoge yaad to” in Bazaar (1982), “Meethe bol bole”, and “Kabhi kisi ko mukammal” in Ahista Ahista (1981), “Huzur Is Kadar Bhi Na Itra Ke Chaliye” in Masoom (1983), “Aye Khuda Shukr Tera” in Razia Sultan (1983), and “Gulab Jism Ka Yunhi Nahin Khila Hoga” Anjuman(1976). He was known for his unique voice and style of singing, which blended classical and modern elements. He also introduced the Spanish guitar, bass and drums to the ghazal genre.
As a guitarist, he performed in some of Hindi cinema’s most famous songs, such as “Dum Maro Dum” (Hare Rama Hare Krishna), “Chura liya hai” (Yaadon Ki Baaraat), “Chingari Koi Bhadke” (Amar Prem), “Mehbooba O Mehbooba” (Sholay), “Tum jo mil gaye ho” (Hanste Zakhm), and many more.
Non Film Career
He released several albums of ghazals, some of them in collaboration with his wife Mitali Mukherjee, who was also a singer from Bangladesh. They performed together in many concerts and shows. Some of his non film albums include Woh Jo Shair Tha(1980), Shabnam (1981), Aao Aise Mohabbat Karen (1984), Saahil (1985), Ek Haseen Shaam (1989), Gulmohar (1994), Nasheman (1996), Aap Ke Naam (1996), Chandni Raat(2000), Sunset Point (2000), Amrita Pritam (2007), Chand Parosa Hai (2008), Aksar(2012), Surmayi Raat (2013), and many more.
Some of his famous non film songs include “Tere Khayal Ko Dil Se,” “Chaudhvin Raat Ke Is Chand Tale,” “Nazm Uljhi Hui Seene Mein,” “Khushboo Jaise Log,” “Hai Shaher Tera Diwana,” “Hum Ahl -E-Mohabbat Ke Afsane,” “Shama Jalaye Rakhna,” “Botal Sharab Ki,” “Mujhse Parda Hai To Phir,” “Sajan Yeh Khoya Khoya Man,” “Dhundlaye Huye Waade,” “Sach Kahte Hain,” “Dekha Hai Zindagi Ko,” “Mohabbat Mein Kya Kya Makaam Aa Rahe Hai,” and many more.
Personal Life
Bhupinder Singh passed away on 18 July 2022 at the age of 82 due to cardiac arrest. He was survived by his wife and son, Amandeep Singh, who is also a musician. Bhupinder Singh was a legend of Indian music, who left behind a rich legacy of songs and ghazals that will continue to inspire generations of listeners.
Bhupinder Singh on IMDB
