Aligarh Muslim
University Aligarh is not only a seat of higher learning and education, it has
created a galaxy of stars, who glittered in every field of life. One of them
was—Talat Mahmood (1924-19980), A bright star of AMU galaxy. The Ghazal Samrat”,
the Golden Voice of India.
Talat and Nasreen
married on 20th Feb 1951 and have two children: Khalid born in 1953 and Sabina
born in 1959.
University Aligarh is not only a seat of higher learning and education, it has
created a galaxy of stars, who glittered in every field of life. One of them
was—Talat Mahmood (1924-19980), A bright star of AMU galaxy. The Ghazal Samrat”,
the Golden Voice of India.
The nostalgia voice for
many of generations. He sang about 800 songs in his long career. His songs are
still popular among the music lovers.
many of generations. He sang about 800 songs in his long career. His songs are
still popular among the music lovers.
Those were the days
of Radio Cylone Amin Syani and Binaca Geet mala, when in peaceful silence of
nights, I heard his first song on radio; ‘Ai dil mujhe aisi jagah le chal jahan
koi na ho’ (Arzoo).
of Radio Cylone Amin Syani and Binaca Geet mala, when in peaceful silence of
nights, I heard his first song on radio; ‘Ai dil mujhe aisi jagah le chal jahan
koi na ho’ (Arzoo).
Later I became a great fan of Talat Mahmood In that
craziness, I purchased a new gramophone and L.P records of Saregama HMV ‘Golden
Collection’ of Talat Mahmood ghazals.
craziness, I purchased a new gramophone and L.P records of Saregama HMV ‘Golden
Collection’ of Talat Mahmood ghazals.
I
instantly fell in love to velvet singing of Talat Mahmood for his 8 songs.He was an obsession for
me. :
instantly fell in love to velvet singing of Talat Mahmood for his 8 songs.He was an obsession for
me. :
1-
‘Ae Mere Dil Kahin Aur Chal’ (Daag).
‘Ae Mere Dil Kahin Aur Chal’ (Daag).
2-
‘Main Dil Hoon Ek Armaan Bhara’ (Anhonee)
‘Main Dil Hoon Ek Armaan Bhara’ (Anhonee)
3-
‘Ae Ghame Dil Kya Karoon’ (Thokar)
‘Ae Ghame Dil Kya Karoon’ (Thokar)
4-
‘Shaam-E-Gham Ki Kasam’ (Footpath)
‘Shaam-E-Gham Ki Kasam’ (Footpath)
5-
‘Raat ne kya kya khwab dikhaye’ (from ‘Ek Gaon Ki Kahani’).
‘Raat ne kya kya khwab dikhaye’ (from ‘Ek Gaon Ki Kahani’).
6-
‘Aansoon samajh ke’ (Chhaya)
‘Aansoon samajh ke’ (Chhaya)
7-
‘Seene mein sulaghte hain armaan’ (with Lata Mangeshkar in Taraana).
‘Seene mein sulaghte hain armaan’ (with Lata Mangeshkar in Taraana).
8-Tasavir banata hun, Tasavir nahi banati(Baradari)
Once Dilip Kumar said
Talat as “a perfect gentleman”. He was a fine gentleman who always
had time and respect for his admirers.
Talat as “a perfect gentleman”. He was a fine gentleman who always
had time and respect for his admirers.
Talat was known for
his unique style of singing. He had a
characteristic quiver in his voice that was unique. Initially many music directors saw this as a
flaw, but it was Anil Biswas who saw this as a characteristic that had
potential.
his unique style of singing. He had a
characteristic quiver in his voice that was unique. Initially many music directors saw this as a
flaw, but it was Anil Biswas who saw this as a characteristic that had
potential.
Born in
Lucknow on February 24, 1924, in a conservative Muslim family, Talat’s father
was averse to his singing pursuits. But his peternal aunt, phoophi, encouraged
her nephew’s singing talent and also convinced her brother not to smother his
son’s passion for music.
Lucknow on February 24, 1924, in a conservative Muslim family, Talat’s father
was averse to his singing pursuits. But his peternal aunt, phoophi, encouraged
her nephew’s singing talent and also convinced her brother not to smother his
son’s passion for music.
After completing his initial studies in Aligarh
he came back to Lucknow and joined the Marris College of Music in 1938, like
many singers of that period. He
was very active in the 1950s and early 1960’s and has many notable films to his
credit.
he came back to Lucknow and joined the Marris College of Music in 1938, like
many singers of that period. He
was very active in the 1950s and early 1960’s and has many notable films to his
credit.
Talat’s musical
career was marked by a steady rise. His
training began under Pandit S.C.R. Bhat at the Morris Music College Lucknow in
the 1930’s. In 1939 when he was only 16 years old, he began to sing gazals on
All India Radio.
career was marked by a steady rise. His
training began under Pandit S.C.R. Bhat at the Morris Music College Lucknow in
the 1930’s. In 1939 when he was only 16 years old, he began to sing gazals on
All India Radio.
In 1944
came the smash hit “Tasveer teri dil mera behela na sakegi” sold over
100,000 copies; It took the country by storm. Its popularity was so phenomenal
and unrivalled that even today it remains one of the biggest non-film hits!
came the smash hit “Tasveer teri dil mera behela na sakegi” sold over
100,000 copies; It took the country by storm. Its popularity was so phenomenal
and unrivalled that even today it remains one of the biggest non-film hits!
This disc
brought Talat fame throughout India and soon he was beckoned by the Calcutta
Film Industry, which was then the premiere hub of film production in the 40’s.
He moved to Calcutta
and began to sing and act for the film industry there. While in Calcutta he often performed under
the name Tapan Kumar.
and began to sing and act for the film industry there. While in Calcutta he often performed under
the name Tapan Kumar.
Talat
received Padma Bhushan in 1992, in recognition of his artistic contributions in
the spheres of cinematic and ghazal music. he had a unique, elegant and
profoundly artistic style of singing. Talat was a very gifted singer in every
sense.
received Padma Bhushan in 1992, in recognition of his artistic contributions in
the spheres of cinematic and ghazal music. he had a unique, elegant and
profoundly artistic style of singing. Talat was a very gifted singer in every
sense.
In 1949 Talat moved
to Bombay, to sing for the Hindi film industry. His name and fame had already
preceded him and soon he was flooded with offers.
to Bombay, to sing for the Hindi film industry. His name and fame had already
preceded him and soon he was flooded with offers.
His big break came
with the song “Ae dil mujhe aisi jagha le chal jahan koi na ho” composed by
music director Anil Biswas for the soundtrack of the movie Arzoo. The song
proved to be extremely popular.
with the song “Ae dil mujhe aisi jagha le chal jahan koi na ho” composed by
music director Anil Biswas for the soundtrack of the movie Arzoo. The song
proved to be extremely popular.
However, Talat who
was the first Indian singer to go on foreign concert tours in 1956 to East
Africa found eager fans awaiting his arrival in other foreign countries.
His last recording
was Mere Shareek-e-Safar, recorded in 1985.
He died on May 9, 1998, at the age of 74.
was Mere Shareek-e-Safar, recorded in 1985.
He died on May 9, 1998, at the age of 74.
The
Love story of “Talat Mahmood” that ended in happy marriage
Love story of “Talat Mahmood” that ended in happy marriage
Young and handsome
Talat Mahmood was the heart-throb of the nation and he had no dearth of girls,
from beautiful movie-stars to sophisticated Maharani’s, practically throwing
themselves at him vying for his attention!
Talat Mahmood was the heart-throb of the nation and he had no dearth of girls,
from beautiful movie-stars to sophisticated Maharani’s, practically throwing
themselves at him vying for his attention!
But his heart was
stolen by a beautiful Bengali girl called Latika Mullick. Latika had been a child star and had starred
in hit films like ‘kashinath’ and others.
She was a great fan of Talat’s and
was thrilled to meet him during one of his many trips to Calcutta for his
recording and acting sessions.
was thrilled to meet him during one of his many trips to Calcutta for his
recording and acting sessions.
Love soon blossomed
and the two decided to marry. But in those days it was unimaginable for anybody
to marry against the wishes of their parents.
Talat was worried that his
orthodox father would throw a fit if he came to know that Talat was planning to
marry a Christian Bengali! So Talat and
Latika decided to marry on the quiet!
and the two decided to marry. But in those days it was unimaginable for anybody
to marry against the wishes of their parents.
Talat was worried that his
orthodox father would throw a fit if he came to know that Talat was planning to
marry a Christian Bengali! So Talat and
Latika decided to marry on the quiet!
However, the Press
soon got wind of the “quiet marriage” and within days splashed
stories of their marriage, including photo’s of the ‘Nikahnama’ or marriage
certificate, on the front pages of their publications!
soon got wind of the “quiet marriage” and within days splashed
stories of their marriage, including photo’s of the ‘Nikahnama’ or marriage
certificate, on the front pages of their publications!
Talat’s family in
Lucknow came to know of his marriage when some well-meaning family friends
showed these Press revelations to them.
His father was upset
but only for a very short while and soon gave his daughter-in-law Latika, whose
new married name was now Nasreen Mahmood, his blessings for a happy married
life. And so, this became a love story that had a happy ending!!!
but only for a very short while and soon gave his daughter-in-law Latika, whose
new married name was now Nasreen Mahmood, his blessings for a happy married
life. And so, this became a love story that had a happy ending!!!
married on 20th Feb 1951 and have two children: Khalid born in 1953 and Sabina
born in 1959.
Written with help of Wikipedia, many other
write ups on Talat Mahmood and photos available on internt and with an special
thanks Mr Khalid Mahmood son of Talay Mahmood.
write ups on Talat Mahmood and photos available on internt and with an special
thanks Mr Khalid Mahmood son of Talay Mahmood.
The End
