Remembering Madan Mohan On His 50th Death Anniversary

By Sumit Paul, New Age Islam 14 July 2025 "Tunes that are in tune with listeners' musical tastes and inclinations are always remembered." Anon Music, when soft voices die, Vibrates in the memory— Odours, when sweet violets sicken, Live within the sense they quicken. P B Shelley Legendary composer Madan Mohan Kohli breathed his last on July 14, 1975 at the age of 51. ------ A song thrives and becomes immortal when it's sung well, written nicely and composed soulfully. In other words, a singer, lyricist and composer complete a song. Rather, they bring it (song) to a T. It's a team effort. Hindi film music has witnessed the works and genius of composers like Naushad Ali, C Ramchandra, S D Burman, Roshan, Chitragupt, Ravi, Khayyam, Usha Khanna, Jaidev, Madan Mohan, among others. Everyone has his/her unique style and there's no comparison because comparisons are always odious and also biased. Yet, when it comes to describing Madan Mohan's music, just one adjective, ' ethereal,' is enough. Yes, MM's music is ethereal which can emplane you to a different realm. It transports you to a dreamland. Born in Baghdad, Iraq, where his father Rai Bahadur Chunilal Kohli was working as an Accountant General with the Iraqi Police forces, Madan Mohan spent the early years of his life in the Middle East. Since Madan Mohan sang a couple of songs in the beginning of his career as he was very fond of singing, he had an uncanny ability to zero in on the singers who could do justice to his soulful compositions. While he had no biases, he always found the voices of Rafi, Lata and Talat to be tailor-made for his kind of music. It was Madan Mohan who nurtured and nourished a slightly different genre, called 'filmi Ghazals.' Though purists may consider filmi Ghazals as 'inferior' and not on an even keel with the classical Ghazals, the 'Geetnuma Ghazals' composed by Madan Mohan are still hummable. Just recall all the songs of the movie 'Ghazal' (1964). The Ghazal, 'Rang Aur Noor Ki Baarat Kise Pesh Karoon' in Rafi’s inimitable voice has become a cult number. So are other songs of this film, " Ishq Ki Garmi-E-Jazbaat, "Naghma-O-Sher Ki Saughaat" "Mujhe Ye Phool Na De," Dil Khush Hai Aaj Unse, " "Unse Nazarein Milin," among others. Urdu and Arabic-knowing Madan Mohan was very particular about the diction of his singers. Lata Mangeshkar said in one of her interviews that Madan Bhai would politely correct the enunciation of many Urdu words and polished her Sheen/Qaaf. Madan Mohan was very fond of Lata and treated her as his younger sister. She sang some of her best songs composed by MM. Who can forget Lata/ MM's creations like, "Woh Chup Rahein Toh Mere Dil Ke Daagh " (Film, Jahan Aara, 1964) and "Maine Rang Lee Aaj Chunariya " (Dulhan ek raat ki, 1966) or every woman's favourite, " Lag Ja Gale Se "? In the same film, Dulhan ek raat ki, MM composed a song, Ik Haseen Shaam Ko Dil Mera Kho Gaya, that is still hummed, heard and heart-felt even after six decades. Though already an established singer, Rafi got to sing his finest numbers for MM. Two of Madan Mohan's songs for Sharabi –"Sawan Ke Maheeney Mein" and "Kabhi Na Kabhi Koi Na Koi Toh Aayega", both filmed for Dev Anand are among the most well known renditions of Mohammed Rafi. Rafi's "Kisi Ki Yaad Mein Duniya Ko Hain Bhulaye Hue " (Film, Jahan Aara) brought tears to the Ghazali maestro Mehdi Hasan's eyes. MM composed it. Though not a very well trained composer, Madan Mohan could create difficult but delectable tunes like, " Main Nigahein Tere Chehre Se Hataoon Kaise " (Film, Aap ki parchhaiyan, 1966). Rafi immortalised it. In Dharmender’s film Neela Aakash, in 1965, all the songs of Rafi-Madan Mohan combination stormed Bollywood including “Aakhri Geet Muhobbat Ka Suna Loon Toh Chaloon”, “Aap Ko Pyar Chupane Ki Buri Aadat Hai”. Film 'Mera Saya' (1966) had an indelible composition, sung by Rafi: Aap Ke Pahloo Mein Aa Kar Ro Diye. Madan was also able to compose unforgettable songs for Talat Mahmood (Phir Wahi Shaam, Wahi Gham, Wahi Tanhaayee Hai, Main Teri Nazar Ka Suroor Hoon and Teri Aankh Ke Aansoo from Jahan Aara, and Meri Yaad Mein Tum Na from Madhosh). Madan Mohan's compositions in the movie, Chiragh (1969), haven't yet lost their sheen. You still sing two peerless songs from this film: 'Teri Aankhon Ke Siva Duniya Mein' and ' 'Chiragh Dil Ka Jalao Bahut Andhera Hai.' The all-time haunting Meri Awaaz Suno and Tumhari Zulf Ke Sayen from Naunihal are remembered for MM's tunes and Rafi's renditions. Very fond of using violin, MM composed arguably his greatest number to be sung by Rafi in an unreleased movie way back in 1963. It was "Kaise Kategi Zindagi Tere Baghair." The song had the longest violin-based prelude (1 minute 16 seconds). MM once again showed his fondness for violin for the song, "Har Taraf Ab Yahi Afsane Hain" (Film, Hindustan Ki Qasam, 1973). Manna Dey sang it beautifully for a dapper Rajkumar on the silver screen. Madan did not usually employ Kishore Kumar. Nonetheless, their partnership created songs as well; in this category, fall songs such as Simti Si, Sharmai Si from Parwana, Zaroorat Hai, Zaroorat Hai from Manmauji, the title song from Ek Muthi Aasman, Mera Naam Abdul Rahman from Bhai Bhai, and Aai Hasino, Naazanino from Chacha Zindabad. MM moulded Kishore's sprightly voice for his brand of music. He (MM) was a versatile genius who didn't get the recognition he so richly deserved. Nonetheless, his fabulous songs are forever ensconced in the hearts of those who love good music. He'll always be remembered for his magnificent music that stays in your consciousness, stirring your heart, mind and soul in unison. Woh Kashish Hai Meri Mausiqi Mein/ Main Na Bhi Rahoon Toh Goonj Rah Jaati Hai (There's something very special about my music / Even when I'm no more, the echoes remain forever). Very true, Madan Mohan sahab. Lastly, Pakistan has more number of Madan Mohan fan clubs! Here, I must mention with a tinge of sadness and disillusionment that many lyricists, composers and singers in India lived in obscurity. While, MM didn't actually live in obscurity, his friend and fellow composer Jaidev Verma died all alone in a state of abject penury. Are you aware of Jaidev's name? He composed the music for 'Hum Donon' (1961). Alas, ingratitude has existed in all ages. ----- A regular columnist for New Age Islam, Sumit Paul is a researcher in comparative religions, with special reference to Islam. He has contributed articles to the world's premier publications in several languages including Persian. URL: https://www.newageislam.com/current-affairs/madan-mohan-death-anniversary/d/136167 New Age Islam, Islam Online, Islamic Website, African Muslim News, Arab World News, South Asia News, Indian Muslim News, World Muslim News, Women in Islam, Islamic Feminism, Arab Women, Women In Arab, Islamophobia in America, Muslim Women in West, Islam Women and Feminism