Talat Mahmood – An Unrivalled King of Ghazals
The Inimitable Voice that Touched Millions of Hearts Across the Globe
Talat Mahmood was one of the legendary singers of Hindi cinema known for his distinct voice that could evoke a range of emotions from romance, poetic, soulful to melancholy. Apart from being known as 'King of Ghazals' or 'Shahenshah e Ghazal,' titles such as 'man with the golden voice' and 'velvet voice of India' were bestowed upon this unmatched singing talent.
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In his career of more than 800 songs from the 1940s to 1980s, he won millions of fans in India and across international borders who swooned over his smooth voice. Among his numerous worldwide performances, Royal Albert Hall, London, is one of the most memorable.
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After the eminent Lata Mangeshkar, Talat Mahmood was the second Indian playback singer who performed at this prestigious venue. This story will cover what made Talat Mahmood rise to this peak of fame and success.
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Born in 1924 in Lucknow, Talat Mahmood was inclined to music from a tender age when he would attend Indian classical music events by established singers.
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He grew up to admire singer-actor K.L. Saigal and aspired to be like him. Thus, despite family opposition, Talat Mahmood chose to follow his dream and pursued his music study at the Marris College of Hindustani Music.
Radio (ca. 1950) by Zenith Radio Corp.The Strong National Museum of Play
Gifted with a rare voice that was hard to be unnoticed, Talat Mahmood began his career in 1939 at All India Radio. Here, he sang ghazals penned by Ghalib, Mir, Dagh, and Jigar.
Sarod Sarod (ca. 1885)The Metropolitan Museum of Art
In 1941, he recorded his first song with HMV called 'Sab Din Ek Samaan Nahin Tha, Ban Jaoonga Kya Se Kya Main, Iska to Kuch Dhyan Nahin Tha.'
This hit number, followed by 'Tasveer Teri Dil Mera Behela Na Sakegi' under the HMV label in 1944, garnered immense popularity. During this time, Talat Mahmood's good looks won him his first three movies: Rajlaxmi (1945), Tum Aur Main (1947), and Samapti (1949).
Bombay, Victoria Terminus Station - G.I.P.R (late 1860s) by Samuel BourneLos Angeles County Museum of Art
The year 1949 witnessed a Bollywood calling for the singer. Talat Mahmood sang his first song in Bombay (Mumbai) for the music director Anil Biswas. With this song 'Ae Dil Mujhe Aisi Jagha le Chal Jahan Koi Na Ho' in Arzoo (1950) picturising Dilip Kumar, the singer's success soared high.
Sarod (ca. 1885)The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Talat Mahmood became the most favoured Ghazal voice for music directors who loved his Urdu diction and the quiver in his voice that expressed varied emotions.
However, many music composers found it difficult to arrange music for his distinct voice — Naushad, Anil Biswas, Salil Chowdhury, and Shankar-Jaikishan composed songs that successfully matched the genius talent.
Meanwhile, his acting stint continued, and he won the audience with his aristocratic aura and good looks. He appeared in a total of 13 films, including Aaram (1951), Waris (1954), Ek Gaon ki Kahani (1957), Sone ki Chidiya (1958), and Laal Rookh (1958). In fact, the producer-director A.R. Kardar hosted a talent-hunt, 'All India Beauty Contest', only to cast the leading lady opposite Talat in Dil-e-Nadaan (1953).
It would be not easy to pick one from the vast list of songs by Talat Mahmood. But here are a few that will give you a glimpse of immortal talent.
Song: Jalte Hai Jiske Liye Teri Aankhon KeShemaroo
Talat's voice was known for its yearning and melancholic expression. And 'Jalte Hai Jiske Liye Teri Aankhon Ke Diiye' from the film Sujata (1959) is one example. Majrooh Sultanpuri's heart-rending lyrics and Talat's quivering voice made this a song to remember for generations.
Song: Jalte Hai Jiske Liye Teri Aankhon KeShemaroo
'Jalte Hai Jiske Liye Teri Aankhon Ke Diiye, Dhuundh Laya Hoon Wahi Geet Main Tere Liye' translates to 'I've found songs for which the lamps of your eyes burn' and picturises actor Sunil Dutt singing for his distant lover Nutan over a telephone.
Song: Milte Hi Aankhein Dil Hua DeewanaShemaroo
Babul (1950) had many hits with Shakeel Badayuni's lyrics, Naushad's brilliant composition, and Talat's velvety voice in this song.
Song: Milte Hi Aankhein Dil Hua DeewanaShemaroo
'Milte Hi Aankhein Dil Hua Deewana' (Translating to 'As soon as our eyes met, my heart went crazy') is a breezy romantic song picturising the iconic Dilip Kumar and the popular female actor of the 40s, Munawar Sultana.
Song: Husn Walon Ko Na Dil DoShemaroo
'Husn Walon Ko Na Dil Do' translates to 'Don't lose your heart to beautiful people', another song from Babul .
Song: Husn Walon Ko Na Dil DoShemaroo
This song showcases Talat's versatility as his playful romantic voice perfectly complements Dilip Kumar and Munawar Sultana's on-screen chemistry.
Rachel Carson's Sea (1952) by Margaret Bourke-WhiteLIFE Photo Collection
'Jaayen To Jaayen Kahan' song from the movie Taxi Driver (1954) is another gem by Talat with Sahir Ludhianvi's lyrics and S.D. Burman's music. 'Jaayen To Jaayen Kahan' translates to 'If I must go, where could I go?'
In this song, actor Dev Anand is picturised sitting alone at the seashore gazing at the horizon. The cinematography and Talat's voice depict the sadness and longing of the film character played by Dev Anand.
Song: Mitwa Laagi Re Kaisi Yeh AnbujhShemaroo
Devdas (1955) is the story of the lover Devdas who pines for his childhood love, Paro, separated from him due to social circumstances. And there couldn't have been a better voice than Talat's to emote Devdas's heartache as depicted in this song.
Song: Mitwa Laagi Re Kaisi Yeh AnbujhShemaroo
'Mitwa Nahi Aye Laagi Re Kaisi Yeh Anbujh Aag' - which translates to 'My friend hasn't come 'There's an inextinguishable fire within me' - is one such song from Devdas.
Video game controller | guitar:Sony PlayStation 3 Gibson Les Paul Guitar Controller for Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock (2007) by Sony Computer EntertainmentThe Strong National Museum of Play
In the late 60s, with rising competition from other playback singers, Talat's singing career in the industry gradually diminished. Disco beats and electronic music replaced romantic numbers and filmi ghazals.
Sarod (ca. 1885)The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Talat steered away from film songs and focused on his non-film ghazals, taking cues from the music trend. His repertoire includes songs in Marathi, Telugu, Kannada, Punjabi, Sindhi and Gujarati songs, and Hindi songs.
During his illustrious career, Talat won numerous accolades, including the prestigious Padma Bhushan award from India's President in 1994. Considered by many in the industry as the perfect gentleman, Talat has indeed left an unforgettable mark. The industry and fans always remember Talat Mahmood for his calm demeanour and his tender voice.
