The voice was like no other; mere words cannot do justice to the quality of that voice, which seems to soothe away the pain of a broken heart. Fondly called the “Voice of God,” Hemant Kumar was a genius musician and legendary singer who sang in Bengali, Urdu, Marathi, Gujarati, Odia, Assamese, Tamil, Punjabi, Bhojpuri, Konkani, and Sanskrit.
Early Life
Hemant Kumar or Hemanta Mukherjee was born as Hemanta Kumar Mukhopadhyay on June 16, 1920, in Varanasi. His family hailed from Jaynagar Majilpur, West Bengal, known for its traditional sweet, “Jaynagarer Moa.” His maternal grandfather, a prominent physician, hosted his birth at his Varanasi home. Hemant’s father Kalidas Mukherjee, a middle-class Bengali, moved the family to Kolkata in the early 1900s. Hemant grew up in Kolkata with three brothers and one sister. His youngest brother, Amal, later composed music for Bengali films like Abak Prithibi.
Hemant attended Nasiruddin School in Kolkata, later transferring to Mitra Institution in Bhawanipore. He befriended Subhas Mukhopadhyay, who went on to be a famous Bengali poet, during school. After completing his intermediate exams, he enrolled at Jadavpur University to study engineering at “Bengal Technical Institute.” His father hoped he would pursue a stable career, but Hemant’s heart lay in music. He quit engineering against the wishes of his family, to focus on his true calling. In his teens, he wrote short stories for the Bengali magazine Desh. He was a man of many talents bu his heart lies in music.
Training and Early Career
Hemant Kumar began his musical journey at age 13, recording “Amar Ganete Ele Nabarupi Chirantanii” for All India Radio in 1933, arranged by his friend Subhas Mukhopadhyay. He trained in Rabindra Sangeet under Sailesh Duttagupta and classical music with Ustad Faiyaz Khan of the Agra Gharana, though Khan’s early death cut the training short.
In 1937, Hemant released his first gramophone record, “Janite Jadi Go Tumi” and “Balo Go Balo More,” under the Columbia label. His early years involved singing non-film Rabindra Sangeet and Bengali songs, building his reputation. Some of his famous Rabindra Tagore songs include “Keno Pantha E Chanchalata”‘” and “Aamar Aar Habe Na Deri.”
Hemant joined the Indian People’s Theatre Association (IPTA) in the mid-1940s. His partnership with Salil Chowdhury began in the 1940s through IPTA. They created the 1948 song “Ganyer Badhu,” a six-minute epic addressing the Bengal famine, which gained widespread acclaim. However, their relationship later soured due to misunderstandings, as Salil noted in an obituary.
His film singing debut came in 1941 with Sukumar Dasgupta’s Bengali movie “Rajkumarer Nirbbasan” in 1940, scored by S.D. Burman. In the film he sang two songs, “Jago Pratham Pronoy Laaj Loye” and “Bandhu He Tumi Ele.” The same year he sang for the Bengali movie Nimai Sanyas.
Hemant Kumar In Films
His first Hindi song, “Ab Preet Ki Jeet Manayen Saajan,” came in “Meenakshi” in 1942 under the music direction of Pankaj Mullick. However, it was his mastery in Rabindra Sangeet that truly showcased his depth as a musician. In 1944, he sang in Irada, composed by Pt. Amarnath, with lyrics by Aziz Kashmiri. In the 1940s, Hemant Kumar sang for films like “Subha Sham (1944),” “Ban Phool (1945),” “Hamrahi (1945),” “Bindiya (1946),” Zamin Asman (1946),” “Faisla (1947),” Mondir (1947), “Manmani (1947),” “Mala (1951),” “Maldar (1951),” and “Sazaa (1951).”
Hemant Kumar was composing songs from an early age. His first significant work came in 1943 when he composed Amiya Bagchi written “Katha Kayonako Shudhu Shono” and “Amar Biraha Akashe Priya.” He debuted as a music director with the Bengali film Abhiyatri in 1947. Some of his early films include Priyatama (1948), Diner Par Din (1949), Swami (1949), and Jighansa (1951) among others.
In 1951, he moved to Mumbai, joining Filmistan Studios, and named his Khar residence “Gitanjali” after Tagore’s work. His first Hindi film as a composer was “Anand Math (1952).” The film has iconic songs like “Vande Mataram” and “Jai Jagdish Hare, Jai Jagdish Hare.” He worked extensively with S.D. Burman, singing for Dev Anand in films like Jaal (1952), House No. 44 (1955), and Solva Saal (1958). They delivered gems like “Yeh Raat Yeh Chandni Phir Kahan (Jaal),” “Chup Hai Dharti Chup Hain Chand Sitare (House No. 44),” and “Hai Apna Dil Toh Aawara (Solva Saal),”
Hemant Kumar As Composer
One of the most notable Hindi films of Hemant Kumar’s early career as a music director was “Nagin (1954).” His songs like “Man Dole Mera Tan Dole,” “Tere Dwar Khada Ek Jogi,” and “Mera Dil Ye Pukare Aaja” were instant rage. With the time, Nagin’s music became a cultural phenomena and continue to mesmerise the audience. The same year, he gave music to “Jagriti,” a children’s film. It has iconic songs like “Aao Bachchon Tumhe Dikhaye,” “Chalo Chale Maa,” “Sabarmati Ke Sant Tune,” and “Hum Laye Hain Toofan Se.”
Some of the notable Bengali films Hemant Da composed music for during this period include “Harano Sur,” “Marutirtha Hinglaj,” “Neel Akasher Neechey,” “Lukochuri,” “Swaralipi,” “Deep Jwele Jaai,” “Shesh Parjanta,” “Kuhak,” “Dui Bhai,” “Saptapadi,” “Neel Akasher Neechey,” and many more.
Some of his famous songs that he sang during this period were “Jaag Dard-E-Ishq Jaag,” “Zindagi Pyar Ki Do Chaar Ghadi” (Anarkali), “Yaad Kiya Dil Ne Kahan Ho Tum (Patita),” “Ae Dil Tu Kahin Le Chal (Shole),” “Rula Kar Chal Diye Ek Din (Badshah),” “Baadal Ki Palki Pe Ho Ke Sawaar (Chakra Dhari),” ” Zamin Chal Rahi Aasman Chal Raha (Pehli Jhalak),” “Chandan Ka Palna Resham Ki Dori (Shabab),” “Dekho Woh Chand Chhup Ke” “Na Yeh Chand Hoga Na Taare Rahenge” (Shart), “Main Garibon Ka Dil Hoon (Abe-Hayat),” “Nain So Nain Naahi Milao (Jhanak Jhanak Payal Baaje),” “Chali Gori Pee Se Milan Ko (Ek Hi Rasta), “Yeh Hansta Hua Karvaan Zindagi Ka (Ek Jhalak),” “Jane Woh Kaise Log The (Pyasa),” “Beemar-E-Mohabbat Ka Itna Sa Fasana Hai (Teesri Gali),” “Insaf ki Dagar Pe Baccho (Ganga Jamuna),” “Chhupa Lo Yun Dil Men (Mamta), and many more.
Hemant Kumar – Biggest Successes
Hemant Kumar produced the 1962 hit “Bees Saal Baad,” a psychological thriller starring Biswajeet and Waheeda Rehman. The film is remembered for its engaging story and its haunting music, which is considered classic. Its songs “Bekarar Karke Hume,” “Kahin Deep Jale Kahin,” and “Zara Nazaron Se Kah Do Ji” are still hummed by music lovers.
The same year, Hemant Kumar gave music to one of Indian cinema’s greatest films, “Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam,” starring Meena Kumari, Guru Dutt, and Rahman. The music, along with lyrics by Shakeel Badayuni, is integral to the film’s atmosphere. The songs are not only melodious but also carry the narrative forward, reflecting the inner turmoil of the characters.
“Meri Baat Rahi Meri Man Men” and “Bhanwara Bada Nadan” are based on Waheeda Rahman and depict her journey from an innocent girl to a wounded woman. The songs “Piya Aiso Jiya Men Samay Gayo,” “Na Jao Saiyan Chhuda Ke Baiyan,” and “Chale Aao Chale Aao” depict the various phases of Chhoti Bahu’s life, from love to longing to despair. There are two beautiful mujras, “Sakhiya Aaj Mujhe Neend Nahin” and “Meri Jaan O Meri Jaan,” which set the tone of the story.
In 1964, He produced the horror-thriller Kohra, starring Waheeda Rahman and Viswajeet. The film have songs like “Yeh Nayan Dare Dare,” “Rah Bani Khud Manzil,” “O Beqarar Dil,” and “Jhoom Jhoom Dhalti Raat.” One of his other notable films as a music director was “Anupama (1966).” It has soulful tracks like “Dheere Dheere Machal,” “Kuchh Dil Ne Kaha,” and “Ya Dil Ki Suno Duniyawalo.”
The Voice of Uttam Kumar
Althouh Hemant Da was very successful in Hindi films, but he continued to do excerptional work in Bengali cinema. His work in different languages gave him more room for experimentation. In Bengali cinema, Hemant da was the voice of its biggest superstar, Uttam Kumar, which made all the difference. In 1955, Hemant Kumar composed for the Bengali movie “Shap Mochan” and sang four songs for super star Uttam Kumar. This marked the beginning of a long partnership between Hemanta and Uttam as a playback singer-actor pair, making them the most popular duo in Bengali cinema over the next decade.
Here are some of Hemant Kumar’s famous Bengali songs that have stood the test of time: “Tumi Ektu Kebol,” “Sawan Gagane Ghor Ghanaghata,” “Kokhon Dile Poraye,” “Sukh Parani Nadir Chore,” “Peyechi Chuti Biday Deho Bhai,” “Ami Poth Bhola Ek Pathik,” “Emono Ghono Boroshay,” “Ekta Chutir Din Peyechi,” “Ruposi Andoman,” “Aaj Kono Kotha Noy,” and many more. These songs are just a few gems from Hemant Kumar’s vast collection of work.
In 1969, Hemant Kumar produced “Khamoshi,” a remake of “Deep Jwele Joi,” directed by Asit Sen. The film has songs like “Tum Pukaar Lo,” “Woh Shaam Kuch Ajeeb Thi,” “Humne Dekhi Hai,” and “Aaj Ki Raat Chiraagon.”
The Musical Genius
Hemant Kumar recorded a Tamil song, “Unnai Kan Thaedudhae,” for Kanavane Kan Kanda Deivam (1955), featuring a hiccup effect that became a trend in South India. In 1961, the Gramophone Company of India featured Hemant’s Rabindra Sangeet for Tagore’s birth centenary, a commercial success. His song “Tumhein Jo Bhi Dekh Lega” from Majboor (1964) showcased his mastery of microphone techniques, adjusting distance to control echo.
One of Hemant Da’s notable films was “Palatak (1963), where he successfully merged Bengal folk music with light music. This experimentation marked a significant shift in his composition style for future Bengali films like “Baghini,” “Balika Badhu,” “Manihar,” and “Adwitiya,” all of which achieved major musical and commercial success. Some of his Bengali songs include “Shono Bondhu Shono” — Shap Mochan (1955), “Muchhe Jawa Dinguli” — Lookochuri (1958), “Surjo Dobar Pala”— Indrani (1958), “Neer Chhoto Khoti Nei” — Indrani (1958), “Ei Raat Tomar Amar” — Deep Jweley Jai (1959), “O Nodire Ekti Kotha” — Neel Akasher Neechey (1959), “Ei Poth Jodi Na Sesh Hoy” — Saptapadi (1961), “Ei Meghla Dine Akla” — Sesh Porjonto (1969), “Ogo Kajol Noyona Horini” — Mon Niye (1969), “E Byatha Ki Je Byatha” — Dhanyi Meye (1971), and many more.
In the 1970s, Hemant Da cut off his film work considerably and focused on Rabindra Sangeet and film songs, producing popular tracks like “Jodi Jante Chao Tumi” (1972), “Aamay Prasno Kore Nil Dhrubatara” (1974), and “Jeona Daraon Bandhu” (1975). His use of Rabindra Sangeet in films was notably impactful, with “Chorono Dhorite Diyogo Amare” in Dadar Kirti (1980) being a classic example. In 1971, Hemanta debuted as a film director with his Bengali movie “Anindita,” which had moderate success, but his song “Diner Seshe Ghumer Deshe” became a beloved Rabindra Sangeet rendition.
Legacy
That same year, he ventured into Hollywood, scoring music for Conrad Rooks’ film “Siddhartha” and becoming the first Indian singer to playback in Hollywood. The US government honoured him with citizenship in Baltimore, Maryland, making him the first Indian singer to receive this recognition.
His deep baritone voice and melodious tunes have left a lasting impact on Indian cinema and continue to enchant music enthusiasts across generations. Mangeshkar described his voice as that of “a sadhu singing a bhajan,” while Salil Chowdhury called it the “voice of God.”
Hemant Kumar’s versatility as a singer, composer, and producer shone through in both the Bengali and Hindi film industries. His contributions from the 1950s and 1960s are particularly renowned, with approximately 2000 songs to his credit. His voice was celebrated for its depth and emotion,and the inncent valvaty quality. He also introduced Bhupen Hazarika to HMV in Kolkata, helping launch his career.
In 1955 he got Filmfare Best Music Director Award for Nagin and in 1962 for Bees Saal Baad. He got nine Best Music Director BFJA Award. He also got three BFJA Awards playback singing. In 1959, his Bengali film Neel Akasher Neechey, produced under his banner Hemanta-Bela Productions, won the President’s Gold Medal despite an initial two-month ban. Hemant received two National Awards for Best Male Playback Singer: one in 1971 and another in 1987 for Lalan Fakir. The U.S. government honored him with Baltimore, Maryland citizenship in 1971, a first for an Indian singer. He won the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 1986. In 1987, he politely refused the Padma Shri, feeling it was beneath his stature. He was right in doing so as many juniors had already received it.
Personal Life
Hemant Kumar married Bela Mukherjee, a Bengali singer, in 1945. Bela had sung in the 1943 film Kashinath but focused on family after marriage. They had two children: a son, Jayant, and a daughter, Ranu. Ranu pursued a music career in the late 1960s with limited success. Jayant married actress Moushumi Chatterjee, a popular star of the 1970s. Hemant’s career slowed in the 1970s as his health declined. He remained active in Bengali music and Rabindra Sangeet, performing globally, including in the West Indies. In September 1989, he traveled to Dhaka, Bangladesh, to receive the Michael Madhusudan Award and perform a concert. Upon returning, he suffered a severe heart attack. Hemant Kumar passed away on September 26, 1989, at 11:15 PM in a Kolkata nursing home, aged 69.
His death marked the end of an era, but his voice and music continue to resonate in the hearts of many, and his songs are cherished as much today as they were when they first graced the ears of listeners.
Hemant Kumar on IMDB
