No one can describe the legacy of Madan Mohan in words; only his work can reflect his genius. He mesmerised the music lovers with romantic anthems liek “Lag Ja Gale” and “Aap ki nazron ne sanmjha.” We cried litrally when he made “Ye duniya ye mahfil” and ‘”Aap Ke Pehlun Mein Aakar Ro Diye.” He teased us with “Jhumka Gira Re” and forced us to dance with “Nache Ang Ve.” When he composed “Teri Aankhon Ke Siva Duniya Mein,” everyone believed it. When he
The mysteries of the mind, the interpretations of dreams and the monumental probing into certain aspects of my thoughts provoked me to concentrate on film music. Music was in my blood. Nothing could curb it from coming out. Destiny decided that I part with my musical gift to music lovers.
Madan Mohan
Early Life
Madan Mohan was born as Madan Mohan Kohli on June 25, 1925, in Baghdad. At the time, his father, “Rai Bahadur Chuni Lal Kohli,” was working as accountant general in Baghdad. His family moved back to his home town, Chakwal, Jhelum, now in Pakistan, when Madan was five. He stayed with his grandparents in Lahore for some time, where developed a p[assion fior music. He started learning the basics of classical music from Kartar Singh, a local musician, for a little while. When his father started working with Himanshu Rai at Bombay Talkies, his family moved to Bombay. This move left his musical education was left incomplete.
In Bombay, Madan attended St. Mary’s School in Byculla, Mumbai. He also started performing in All India Radio’s children’s programmes. After completing his early education, he joined the Colonel Brown Cambridge School in Dehradun, a military school.
Madan Mohan – The Actor
In 1943, he joined the Army as a second lieutenant during World War II. His love for music forced him to resign from the army in 1945. After leaving army he joined All India Radio’s Lucknow service as a programmer. This position allowed him to meet and work with prominent artists and musicians. While working there, he met Begum Akhtar, Roshnara Begum, Ustad Vilayat Khan, Ustad Faiyaz Khan, Ustad Ali Akbar Khan, Talat Mahmood, and many others.
When Madan Mohan came back to Bomaby in 1947, he wanted to be an actor, but without using his father’s name, who was one of the most influential people of his era. He got the chance to record two ghazals: “Aane Laga Hai Koi Nazar Jalwa Gar Mujhe” and “Is Raaz Ko Duniya Jaanti Hai” by Behzad Lucknawi in 1947. He then recorded two more ghazals, “Wo Aaye To Mahfil Mein Ithlaate Huye Aaye” and “Duniya Mujhe Kahti Hai Ke Main Tujhko Bhoolaa Doon,” by Diwan Sharar.
In 1948, he was given a chance to sing with Lata Mangeshkar by Master Ghulam Haider in “Shaheed.” The song was “Pinjre mein bulbul bole, mera chhota sa dil dole,” but his father, “Rai Bahadur Chunni Lal,” got the song removed from both the film and the records. Madan’s career as an actor was not significant; he acted in a few films like “Shaheed (1948),” “Parda,” “Ansoo (1953),” and “Munimji (1955).” He also sang in a few films like “Ankhen (1950), “Shabistan (1951),” “Dhoon (1953),” and “Fifty-Fifty (1956)”.
Musical Career
When he was struggling to be an actor, Madan started assisting legendary composers Dada SD Burman. He worked with Burman on the film Do Bhai (1947). He then assisted Shyam Sunder in films like “Actress (1948)” and “Nirdosh (1950).” His first film as an independent music director was Devendra Goel’s “Ankhen (1950).” The film turned out to be a hit with songs like “Preet Lagaa Ke Maine Ye Phal Paaya” by Mukesh, “Hum Ishq Mein Barbaad Hain” by Rafi, and “Mohabbat Karne Walon Ka” by Shamshad Begum.
Madan went on to give outstanding music to many films, such as Adaa (1951), Madhosh (1951), Aashiana (1952), Anjaam (1952), Khoobsurat (1952), Nirmohi (1952), Baaghi (1953), Chacha Choudhary (1953), Dhoon (1953), Ilzaam (1954), Mastana (1954), Ehsaan (1954), Railway Platform (1955), Bhai-Bhai (1956), Fifty Fifty (1956), Mem Sahib (1956), Pocket Maar (1956), Beti (1957), Chhote Babu (1957), Dekh Kabhira Roya (1957), Gateway of India (1957), Samundar (1957), Sheroo (1957), and Aakhri Dao (1958).
Some of his famous songs in these films include “Jise Dil Mein Basaana Chaaha Tha” in Ada, “Meri Yaad Mein Tum Na Aansoo Bahana” in Madhosh, “Main Paagal Mera Manva Paagal” and “Mera Qarar Le Ja Mujhe Beqarar Kar Ja” in Ashiana, “Hamare Baad Ab Mehfil Mein Afsane Bayan Honge” in Baaghi, “Badi Barbadiyan Lekar Meri Duniya Mein Pyar Aaya” in Dhoon,” “Basti Basti Parbat Parbat Gaata Jaaye Banjara” and “Chand Maddham Hai Aasman Chup Hai” in Railway Platform, and “Ae Dil Mujhe Bata De,” in Bhai Bhai.
The Genius of Madan Mohan
Madan Mohan’s compositions, characterised by their melodious and skilled arrangements, quickly garnered attention. Collaborations with legendary singers like Lata, Rafi, and Talat Mahmood produced some of the most enduring classics of Hindi cinema. Madan Mohan’s biggest speciality was his love for ghazals. His collaboration with poets like Rajendra Kishan, Raja Mehdi Ali Khan, Sahir and Kaifi produced some of Hindi cinema’s most beautiful compositions.
Collaborated with Rajendra Kishan
In 1958, he collaborated with Rajendra Kishan to compose one of the best music albums in music history, “Adaalat.” The film starring Pradeep Kumar and Nargis had some of the best ghazals of Hindi cinema. Ghazals like “Yun Hasraton ke dagh,” “Jaana Tha Humse Door,” and “Unko Yeh Shikayat Hai,”still considered his best work.. The same year they collaborated on Dekh Kabira Roya. The film had the classic Talat Mahamood gem “Humse Aaya Na Gaya.” It also had songs like “Chal Diya Dil Mera Tod Ke,” and “Kaun Aaya Mere Man Ke Dware.” Their team then gave us album of “Jahan Ara,” which is still revered by music lovers. It had two of Talat Mahmood’s best songs “Phir Wohi Sham Wohi Gham,” and “Teri Aankh Ke Aansoo Pi Jaoon.” Film also had somngs like “Ae Sanam Aaj Yeh Kasam Khayen,” and “Main Teri Nazar Ka Suroor Hoon,”
Rajendra Kishan and Madan Mohan also worked together in films like Gateway of India (1957), Jailor (1958), Khazanchi (1958), Sanjog (1961), Man-Mauji (1962), Sharabi (1964), Jahan Ara (1964), Neend Hamari Khwab Tumhare (1966), and “Phir Wohi Saam,” “Main Teri Nazar Ka Suroor Hoon,” and “Teri Aankh Ke Aansoo” from Jahan Ara,
Collaborated with Raja Mehdi Ali Khan
Apart from Rajendra Kishan, Raja Mehdi Ali Khan was one of Madan Mohan’s frequent collaborators, with whom he worked on numerous films. Their partnership produced timeless classics such as “Aap Ki Nazron Ne Samjha,” “Hai Isi Mein Pyar Ki Aabroo,” “Woh Dekho, Jala Ghar Kisi Ka” from “Anpadh (1962),” “Lag Jaa Gale,” “Jo Humne Dastan Apni Sunai, Aap Kyun Roye?” and “Naina Barse Rimjhim” from ‘Woh Kaun Thi?’ and “Jhumka Gira Re,” “Aap Ke Pahloo Mein, “Mera Saaya Saath,” “Nainon Me Badra Chhaye,” and “Nainon Wali Ne” in Mera Saya (1967).
The synergy between Khan’s evocative lyrics and Madan Mohan’s soulful compositions created songs that have transcended time. Some other films where they worked together include Ada, Madhosh, Neela Aakash, Aap Ki Parchhaiyan, Dulhan Ek Raat Ki, Anita, Jab Yaad Kisi Ki Aati Hai, and Nawab Siraj-ud-Daulah.
Collaborated with Kaifi Azmi
Another significant collaboration was with the poet and lyricist Kaifi Azmi. Together, they worked on the film Haqeeqat (1964), which had on of the mos menorable patriotic songs “Kar chale ham fida.” Madan Mohan’s composition for the songs like “Ho ke Majboor Mujhe,” “Ab Tumhare Hawaale Watan,” “Zara Si Aahat Hoti Hai,” “Masti Mein Chhedke Tarana Koi Dil Ka,” and “Main Ye Soch Kar Uske Dar Se Utha Tha” perfectly captured the poignant essence of Azmi’s words.
Another significant collaboration between Madan Mohan and Kaifi is “Naunihal.” Naunihal has songs like “Meri Aawaz Suno Pyar ka Raaz Suno” and “Tumhari Zulf Ke Saye Me Shaam Kar Lunga.” Some of their other films include “Ghar Ka Chirag,” “Heer Raanjha,” “Parwana” “Hanste Zakhm,” “Bawarchi” and many more. which has songs like “Milo Na Tum To,” “Do Dil Toote Do Dil Hare,” “Yeh Duniya, Yeh Mehfil,” and “Nache Ang Ve,” and “Hanste Zakhm,” which has “Tum Jo Mil Gaye Ho,” “Aaj Socha To Aansoo,” “Betaab Dil Ki Tamanna,” and “Yeh Mana Meri Jaan.” Their collaboration also gave us gems like “Simti Si Sharmai Si (Parwana),” “Bhor Aayi Gaya Aandhiyara (Bawarchi),” “Har Taraf Ab Yahi Afsane Hain (Hindustan Ki Kasam).”
Collaborated with Sahir Ludhianvi
Sahir Ludhianvi, a prominent Urdu poet, collaborated with Madan Mohan on several projects. Their work includes the films like “Railway Platform,) “Ghazal,” and “‘Chirag,” among others. The song from Chirag, “Teri Aankhon Ke Siva” is a fine example of how Ludhianvi’s poetic flair was matched by Madan Mohan’s musical genius. “Meri Mehboob Kahin Aur Mila Kar Mujhse” and “Rang Aur Noor Ki Baraat Kise Pesh Karoon” (Gahzal), One of their other significant work was in Laila Majnu (1976). Madan Mohan passed away before the release of the film, and Jaidev took over to complete the film. The film had songs like “Barbaad-E-Mohabbat,” “Husn Hazir Hai Mohabbat Ki” “Tere Dar Pe Aaya Hoon,” and “Is Reshmi Paazeb Ki Jhankar.”
Other Gems
His collaboration with Majrooh Sultanpuri produced “Dastak (1970).” The song from the film “Baiyan Na Dharo” showcased the fusion of classical and film music. It also has gems like “Hum Hain Mata-E-Koocha-O-Bazar,” and “Maai Ri Main Kaase Kahoon.” The film’s music earned Madan Mohan the National Film Award for Best Music Direction. Some other notable films of Madan Mohan include Suhagan (1964), Naya Kanoon (1965), Rishte Naate (1965), Koshish (1972), Sultana Daku (1972), Mausam (1975), , and Veer-Zaara.
Some of his other famous songs include “Wafaon Ke Badle Jafaa Kar Rahe Hain (Jailer),” “Bhooli Hui Yaadon Mujhe Itna Na Sataao” and “Woh Bhooli Daastan” (Sanjog), “Zaroorat Hai Zaroorat Hai (Manmauji),” “Agar Mujhse Mohabbat Hai” (Aap Ki Parchhaiyan), “Tu Mere Samne Hai (Suhagan),” “Aakhri Geet Mohabbat Ka Suna Loon,” “Aapko Pyar Chhupane Ki Buri Aadat Hai,” and “Tere Paas Aa Ke Mera Waqt” (Neela Aakash), “Ek Hasin Shaam Ko Dil Mera Kho Gaya (Dulhan Ek Raat Ki),” “Yun Rutho Naa Haseena” (Neend Hamari Khwab Tumhare), “Na Tum Bewafa Ho Na Hum Bewafa Hain (Ek Kali Muskayee),” “Rasm-E-Ulfat Ko Nibhayen (Dil Ki Rahen),” “Chhadi Re Chhadi,” “Dil Dhoondhta Hai,” “Ruke Ruke Se Qadam” (Mausam), and many more.
Personal Life and Legacy
In January 1953, Madan Mohan married Sheila Dhingra, the niece of the freedom fighter Madan Lal Dhingra. Madan Mohan’s untimely demise on July 14, 1975, left a void in the music industry.
However, his son, Sanjeev Kohli, ensured that his father’s legacy lived on by recreating his compositions for Yash Chopra’s “Veer-Zaara” in 2004, nearly three decades after his death. This act not only paid homage to Madan Mohan’s timeless music but also introduced it to a new generation. The songs of Veer Zaara like “Tere Liye,” “Main Yahaan Hoon,” “Do Pal,” “Yeh Hum Aa Gaye Hain Kahaan,” and “Aaya Tere Dar Par” are now considered modern classics.
Madan Mohan on IMDB
