From Mere Desh Ki Dharti To Patthar Ke Sanam: Manoj Kumar's Iconic Songs That Still Echo Today

When you think of Manoj Kumar, patriotic tunes come immediately to mind. For years, Mere Desh Ki Dharti from Upkar and Bharat Ka Rehne Waala Hoon from Purab Aur Paschim have been played on August 15 and January 26. Both were composed by Kalyanji-Anandji and sung by Mahendra Kapoor. However, Mukesh sang the most famous love song filmed on him. Ek Pyaar Ka Nagma Hai, composed by Laxmikant-Pyarelal with Lata Mangeshkar in duet in the movie Shor, is immortal.

Though these three hits are remembered instantly, Manoj Kumar lip-synced a number of gems. What’s interesting is that besides Mahendra Kapoor and Mukesh, many were sung by Mohammed Rafi in the early part of the actor’s career. These include a good selection of love ballads and sad numbers. If there was a fourth voice that also suited him, it was Nitin Mukesh, who had a big success with the Lata duet Zindagi Ki Na Toote Ladi (Kranti, 1981, Laxmikant-Pyarelal).

Many songs flash back in one’s mind after Manoj Kumar’s demise on April 4. Let’s go in chronological order of release. Early hits were Shankar-Jaikishan’s title track of the 1962 film Hariyali Aur Raasta and Allah Jaane Kya Hoga Aage. Both were Mukesh-Lata duets filmed on Manoj and Mala Sinha. Later, Mukesh sang the solo Aye Dil-e-Awara Chal for S.D. Burman in Dr Vidya, and the sad Phir Koi Muskuraya for Shankar-Jaikishan in Apne Huye Paraaye.

Though he didn’t lip-sync in any, Manoj appeared on screen with Sadhna in three Madan Mohan-Lata songs in the 1964 movie Woh Kaun Thi? – Lag Jaa Gale, Naina Barse and Aap Kyon Roye. In the duet Chodkar Tera Pyar Ka Daaman, Mahendra Kapoor sang for him. The following year, Rafi had the huge patriotic song Ae Watan Ae Watan for Manoj in Shaheed and the love song Ek Ladki Hai Jisne Jeena Mushkil Kar Diya in Gumnaam. However, it was Mukesh’s turn to shine in Himalay Ki God Mein with Chand Si Mehbooba Ho Meri and Main To Ek Khwab Hoon, before Rafi joined music director Ravi in three classics from Do Badan – Raha Gardishon Mein, Bhari Duniya Mein Aakhir and Naseeb Mein Jiske Jo Likha Tha.

Come 1967, and the two singers shared work for Laxmi-Pyare in Patthar Ke Sanam, with Rafi singing the title track and Mukesh chipping in with Mehboob Mere and Tauba Yeh Matwali Chaal. The story is that Manoj Kumar wanted Mukesh to sing all songs in the film but the music directors insisted the title song had to be by Rafi. The same year, Mahendra Kapoor had the biggest Manoj Kumar hit of the decade, and one of the biggest songs of his career with Mere Desh Ki Dharti in Upkar. Of course, Mukesh tasted success in the same film too, with the melancholic Deewaanon Se Yeh Mat Poocho.

After this point in the late 1960s, Mahendra Kapoor and Mukesh sang the bulk of Manoj Kumar songs till Mukesh passed away in 1976. Thus, in Purab Aur Paschim (1970), while Kapoor had Bharat Ka Rehne Waala Hoon and Dulhan Chali, Mukesh had Joi Jab Tumhara Hriday Tod De. In Laxmi-Pyare’s Roti Kapada Aur Makaan four years later, Kapoor sang Aur Nahin Bas Aur Nahin, whereas Mukesh and Lata sang the melodious Main Na Bhooloonga. Mukesh and Lata also teamed up in Sanyasi, this time for S-J on the songs Chal Sanyasi Mandir Mein and Sun Baal Brahmachari. L-P again got in Mukesh in Dus Numbri, with the title track having shortlived success.

In 1977, Amaanat was released after eight years of production. It had Rafi singing the evergreen Ravi song Door Rehkar Na Karo Baat for Manoj Kumar, though it was recorded much earlier. Mukesh was no more, and for his 1981 production Kranti, Manoj chose Nitin Mukesh. They teamed up again in Clerk and Deshwasi, but by the 1990s, Manoj Kumar had become less active. Those 1960s and 1970s melodies remain etched in one’s mind, as we see images of him playing a piano or in the hilly woods.