Known for his beautiful, innocent voice, Nitin Mukesh gave the Hindi film industry some of its most beautiful songs, like “Zindagi Ki Na Toote Ladi,” “Aa Ja Re O Mere Dilbar Aaja,” “Zindagi Har Kadam,” “So Gaya Yeh Jahan,” “Is Jahaan Ki Nahin,” “Hanste Hanste Kat Jayen Raste,” “Woh Kehte Hain Hum Se,” and many more.
Early Life
Nitin Mukesh Born on June 27, 1950, as Nitin Mukesh Mathur, he inherited his passion for music from his father, the legendary singer Mukesh. His mother, Saral Trivedi, came from a wealthy Gujarati family. He grew up with his siblings Rita, Nalini, Mohnish, and Namrata. Nitin shows and early interest in music since childhood. But his father wants him to focus on his studies.
After completing his early education in Bombay, he went to the prestigious London School of Economics for higher studies. But Nitin’s heart was set on music and he decided to pursue it. He left his studies and return to India. Nitin got his early training in music from Pt. Jagannath Mishra, Ustad Faiyyaz Ahmed Khan, and Chhote Iqbal Saab.
Nitin Mukesh – The Beginning
After returning to India, he started working as an assistant director for Hrishikesh Mukherjee. He also started doing live shows with his father, and he soon found his way into singing, following in his father’s footsteps. His debut as a singer came with the film “Mera Naam Joker” in 1970. In the film he sang few lines of “With A Cheer, Not A Tear In Your Eye” under music direction of Shankar-Jaikishan
His first full song “Dil Dil Se Milega,” came in Hrishikesh Mukherjee’s 1972 film Sabse Bada Sukh (1972), under Salil Choudhary. He foillowed it with films like Jab Andheraa Hota Hai (1974), Doosri Sita (1974), Trimurti (1974), Dhuen Ki Lakeer (1974), Qaid (1975), and Do Jhoot (1975).
In 1976, he lost his father, Mukesh, due to a heart attack on August 27, 1976, in Detroit, Michigan, USA, where he was performing in a live show. After the death of Mukesh, Raj Kapoor gave him the opportunity to sing “Woh Aurat Hai Tu Mehbooba” for the film “Satyam Shivam Sundaram.” The same year, he sang “Gapuchi Gapuchi Gam Gam” in Yash Chopra’s Trishul.
Breakthrough of Nitin Mukesh
In 1979, he sang one of his career’s best songs, “Aa Ja Re O Mere Dilbar Aaja,” in Yash Chopra’s “Noorie.” He then sang for Manoj Kumar‘s “Kranti,” which established him as a top singer of that time. In the film his duet with Lata Songs like “Zandagi Ki Naa Toote Ladi” became the instant chartbuster. He also sang “Chana Jor Garam” “Kranti Kranti,” and “Lui Shama Sha Lui,” in the film.
In 1981, Nitin sang under Khayyam for Nakhuda which has beautiful melodies like Humen Tumse Mohabbat Hai and Tumhari Palkon Ki Chilmanon Mein, both with Lata Mangeshkar. His next big hit came Subhash Ghai‘s Meri Jung under Laxmikant-Pyarelal. In the film he sang “Zindagi Har Ghadi Ik Nayi Jang Hai,” a song which became an anthem for hope. He also have a very good relationship with Rakesh Roshan. For Roshan he sang songs like “Yahin Kahin Jiyara Hamaar,” “Zindagi Ka Naam Dosti” (Khudgarz), “Hanste Hanste Kat Jaye Raste (Khoon Bhari Maang),” “Is Jahaan Ki Nahin (King Uncle),” “Paisa Bolta Hai (Kala Bazaar),” and “Krishna Krishna (Kishen Kanhaiya).”
Best Years
In the 1980s Nitin Mukesh sang for films like Dillagi (1978), Khandaan (1979), Neeyat (1980), Ehsaan Aap Ka (1981), Dard-E-Dil (1983), Ek Baar Chale Aao (1983), Haqeeqat (1985), Kalyug Aur Ramayan (1987), Mulzim (1988), Tezaab (1988), Inteqam(1988), Dariya Dil (1988), Ram Lakhan (1989), Eeshwar (1989), Jaisi Karni Waisi Bharni (1989), Chandni (1989), Nache Nagin Gali Gali (1989) and many more.
Some of his most memorable songs in this period include “Teri Jheel Si Gehri Aankhon Mein (Dhuen ki lakeer),” “Main Hoon Tere Liye (Ek Baar Chale Aao),” “Zindagi Har Kadam Ek Nai Jung Hai (Meri jung),” “Woh Kahte Hain Hum Se Abhi Umar Nahin Hai Pyar Ki (Dariya Dil),” “Tu Mujhe Suna Main Tujhe Sunaoon (Chandni),” “So Gaya Yeh Jahan So Gaya Aasman (Tezaab), “My Name Is Lakhan (Ram Lakhan),” “Jaate Ho Pardes Piya (Jeena Teri Gali Mein),”
In his career Nitin Mukesh worked with some of the most prominent music directors of his time, including Mohammed Zahur Khayyam, Bappi Lahiri, Laxmikant-Pyarelal, and others. He sang for actors like Shashi Kapoor, Manoj Kumar, Jackie Shroff, and Anil Kapoor, among others.
Later Career
In the 1990s Nitin Mukesh also suffered because the changing taste of music and emergense of new talents. After the 90s he sang for only few films like Swarg (1990), Bhabhi (1991), Ghar Parivaar (1991), Jeena Teri Gali Mein, (1991), Yaara Dildara (1991), Yalgaar (1992), Radha Ka Sangam (1992), King Uncle (1993), Aaina (1993), Bewafa Sanam (1995), Mela (2000), Kahin Pyaar Na Ho Jaaye (2000), and many more.
Some of his most memorable songs in the 90s include “Dil Ne Dil Se Kya Kaha (Aaina),” “Is Jahan Ki Nahin Hai (King Uncle),” Chandi Ki Cycle Sone Ki Seat (Bhabhi), “Wafa Naa Raas Aayee Tujhe O Harjaee (Bewafa Sanam),” O Priya O Priya Priya Tumsa Nahin Koi Priya (Kahin Pyaar Na Ho Jaaye),” and Mela Dilon Ka (Mela).
Nitin Mukesh also sang “Dil Ka Alam, Main Kya Batun Tujhe,” in Aashiqui (1990). But his version was not used in the film. Although it’s available on Youtube.
Other Work and Personal Life
Apart from his playback singing, Nitin Mukesh is sang bhajans and some private songs. He regularly performs on international stages, carrying forward his father’s legacy with shows like “Kal Ki Yaadein” as a tribute to Mukesh. Nitin Mukesh is known for his gentle demeanour, soft voice, and very calm nature. But on live shows, you can see his totally different side as an energetic, fun-loving performer. His dance performance on his father’s song “Patli Kamar Hai Trichi Nazar Hai” is specially adored by fans.
Nitin Mukesh married Nishi Mukesh. Together, they have three children: Neil, Naman, and Neha Nitin Mukesh. His son Neil was named by Lata Mangeshkar Neil Armstrong.
Nitin Mukesh on IMDB
