Remembering Bhupinder: A Versatile Singer-Composer

Tish Malhotra | मनोरंजन | Feb 04, 2025 | 157

February 6 marks the birth anniversary of the legendary singer and composer Bhupinder Singh, a celebrated figure in Indian music renowned for his soulful ghazals and memorable Bollywood songs. His iconic tracks, such as "Hoke Majboor Usne Mujhe Bhulaya Hoga," "Naam Gum Jayega," "Do Diwane Shahar Mein," "Karoge Yaad To," "Meethe Bol Bole," and "Ek Akela Is Shehar Mein," have left an indelible mark on the hearts of music lovers across generations. Over the years, he carved a niche for himself in the industry with his unique voice and emotive singing style, which resonated with listeners. Tish Malhotra remembers the legend in this article. 

Remembering Bhupinder : A Versatile Singer-Composer 

Tish Malhotra*

The legendary artiste Bhupinder Singh, possessor of a unique, haunting and fascinating voice was born at Amritsar on 6 February 1940. Later, family shifted to Delhi. He left behind a rich repertoire of hit film songs and ghazals sung with his equally talented wife Mitali Singh.  Apart from Hindi, Bhupinder also sang in Punjabi, Bengali, Marathi, Gujarati, Konkani, Kanada, Dogari, etc. Initially trained in the art of music by his father Natha Singh ji, a well-known vocalist, Bhupinder further embellished his talent in company of accomplished music directors.

Bhupinder’s journey in Bollywood started with music director Madan Mohan in 1962 with memorable song Hoke majboor mujhe usne bhulaya hoga, rendered with the illustrious singers like Mohammed Rafi, Manna Dey and Talat Mehmood. It was Madan Mohan who had discovered him in Delhi and gave the first break to join playback singing in Chetan Anand’s Haqeekat. His first solo song was Rut jawa jawa, composed by renowned music director Khayyam for the film Akhari Khat in 1966. Besides Haqeekat, Singh is mostly remembered for his memorable songs in films such as Mausam, Satte Pe Satta, Ahista Ahista and Dooriyan. His other famous songs include Naam Gum Jayega, Do Diwane Shahar Mein, Karoge Yaad To, Meethe Bol Bole, Ek Akela is Shehar Mein and Dukki Pe Dukki Ho Ya Satte Pe Satta.

As Mohammed Rafi, Manna Dey, Mukesh, Talat Mehmood, Hemant Kumar and Mahendra Kapoor were reigning supreme in those days, Bhupinder fell back on his second-best talent: strumming guitar. Though highly proficient with Hawaiian, Spanish and electric guitars he also created special effect with twelve-string guitar in songs like Dum maro dum, Chura lia hai dil jo tumne, Tum jo mil gaye ho, Aaj socha to ansoo bhar aaye, Aane wale pal jane wala hai, Mehbooba o mehbooba, Ruke ruke se kadam, etc. And icing on the cake: he also played Rabab beautifully. His instrumental music album Jhankar further proved the point. The album Homebound was another instrumental musical bouquet from him and music director Uttam Singh.

Over the years, Bhupinder enjoyed special relationship with music director R.D. Burman or Pancham: singing his compositions and also playing guitar. Beeti na beetayee raina, Mitwa bole methe ban, Yeh zindgaee char pal, Dekho hum dono ki yaree, Jab andhera hota hai, Naam ghum jayega, Koi nahi hai kahi, Thodi se zameen, Huzorr is kadar bhi, etc. are the super hit numbers composed by Pancham.

Jaidev and Khayyam also used his voice for many chart buster songs. All this put Bhupinder’s singing in higher trajectory and gave his fans the memorable songs such as Daro diwar se, Do diwane shahar mein, Ek akela is shahar mein, Zindagi mere ghar aana, Aaj bichre hai, Kisi nazar ko tera, Kabhi kiso ko mukamal jaha nahi milta, Karoge yaad to, among others. Bhupinder also got the opportunity to sing for senior musicians like S.D. Burman (Pancham’s father), Naushad, O.P. Nayyar, Salil Chowdhary, Bhupen Hazarika, and Ravi among others.

Alongside playback singing he also kept himself fully occupied with composing his own ghazal albums. The first solo private album came in 1968, followed by the second in 1974. The solo ghazal LPs included From Bhupinder with Love, Yaade-Sanam, and Shabnam. Later he teamed up with his wife Mitali and came out with several ghazal albums, like Sahil, Sharmate Sharmate, Aap Ke Naam, Shama Jalaye Rakhna, Arz Kiya Hai, EK Haseen Shaam, Gulmohar, Nasheman, Ek Arzoo Hai Dil Mein, etc.

He also composed exclusive albums based on the poetry of Gulzar. Of these Wo jo Shaar Tha, Surmayi Raat, Chand Parosa Hai, Aksar, and Dil Peer Hai. The album Sun Set Point with Gulzar, also featuring K.S. Chitra, was composed by Vishal Bhardwaj. In fact, Dil Peer Hai had been launched under his own music label Bhumital that had the rich contributions by Ustad Rashid Ali Khan, Sonu Nigam and others. A collection of light romantic songs, Yaaden from Bhupinder also came out. He also produced with Mitali the Punjabi albums Matkey Tey Mataka and Luna, the latter was based on the poetry of legendry Punjabi poet and lyricist Shiv Kumar Batalvi.

Bhupinder and Mitali also held regular ghazal concerts receiving all round applause. Indeed, the melodious couple spread such an aura of fragrant music that it attracted millions of admirers to laud their performance, both on stage as well as through their albums.

Bhupinder Singh also left his mark in devotional singing. Moko kaha dondhe ray bande, Chader ho gai bahut purani, Singh vahini, Nar tum jhoote janam gavaya, Prabhu meray awagun chit na dharo, etc. have featured repeatedly in different programmes of AIR. He also made immense contributions in different episodes of the musical recital of Sri Ramcharitmanas on AIR and also had due share of Shabad albums. A publicity shy artiste, Bhupinder also sang for some TV serials. Not many people know that Bhupinder was also the music director of Mahesh Bhat’s film Manzilen Aur Bhi Hain in 1973.

The legendary singer passed away in Mumbai on 18th July 2022 at the age of 82. He was conferred with Radio Mirchi life time achievement award posthumously though the Award was announced in March 2022, shortly before his death. From the other numerous awards bestowed upon him, he cherished most the Sangeet Natak Academy award in the light music category.

While paying tribute to Bhupinder Singh, the renowned music director Jatin Pandit revealed that the ghazal "Hoshwalon Ko Khabar Kya" from the film Sarfarosh was initially recorded in Bhupinder Singh's voice. However, due to external pressures, the song ultimately went to Jagjit Singh. Another significant incident is the omission of Bhupinder’s rendition of "Aane Wali Hai Bahar" from the film Ek Pal. The narrative of his contributions and challenges could extend indefinitely. The poignant reality is that while the chirping of this beloved bird has ceased, his unique, sensitive, dreamy, and mesmerizing voice will continue to enchant millions of admirers.

In a recent post, Mitali Singh, the wife of the late Bhupinder Singh, shared that the Swarnim Lata Foundation has conferred a special award on Bhupinder Singh in Raipur, Chhattisgarh, recognizing his contributions to the world of music. In this context, Gulzar Sahib expressed his deep appreciation for remembering Bhupinder, stating, “Those who have worked with Bhupinder can never forget him,” underlining the lasting impact he had on his collaborators and the music industry.

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Tish Malhotra* is a Delhi-based freelancer.


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