Calcutta Music Blog

Hemanta Kumar Mukhopadhyay or Hemanta Mukherjee (1920 – 1989) was an Indian singer, composer and producer. His output in Hindi is under the name Hemant Kumar.
Hemanta was born in Varanasi (Benares) on 16th June, 1920. His family hailed from a village named Baharu in West Bengal and migrated to Calcutta in the early 20th century. Hemanta too grew up in Calcutta and attended a school in South Calcutta(Bhawanipore) named Mitra Institution. There he met his longtime friend, a celebrated Bengali poet, Subhas Mukhopadhyay. After passing the intermediate examinations (12th grade) Hemanta was admitted to Jadavpur University to study engineering. However, despite parental objection, he quit academics to pursue a career in music. Hemanta briefly tried his hand at literature and also published a short story in a prestigious Bengali magazine called ‘Desh’, but by the late-1930s he was committed entirely to music.
Under the influence of his friend Subhash Mukhopadhyay, Hemanta recorded his first song for All India Radio in 1933. The first line of the song was ‘aamaar gaane te ele naba ruupe chirantanii’. Hemanta’s music career was mentored by the Bengali musician Sailesh Duttagupta. In an interview on television in the early 1980-s, Hemanta had mentioned that he had also received training in classical music from Ustad Faiyyaz Khan, but his tutelage was cut short by Ustad-ji’s untimely death. In 1937, he cut his first gramophone disc under the Columbia label. The songs (non-film) on this disc were ‘jaanite jadi go tumi’ and ‘balo go balo more’. Lyrics were by Naresh Bhattacharya, music by Hemanta’s mentor Sailesh Duttagupta. Thereafter, every year Hemanta continued to record non-film discs for the Gramophone Company of India(GCI) right till 1984. Hemanta’s first Hindi songs were ‘kitanaa dukh bhulaaya tumane’ and ‘o priit nibhaabewaalii’, released in 1940 under GCI’s Columbia label. Music for these songs were composed by Kamal Dasgupta, lyrics were by Faiyaz Hashmi. Hemanta’s first film song was in the Bengali film ‘Nimai Sanyas’ released in 1941. Music for this film was scored by Hariprasanna Das. Hemanta’s first compositions for himself were the Bengali non-film songs ‘katha koyonako shudhu shono’ and ‘amar biraha aakaashe priyaa’ in 1944. Lyrics were by Amiya Bagchi. His first Hindi film songs were in Iraadaa in 1944 under Pt. Amarnath’s music direction. Lyrics were by Aziz Kashmiri. Hemanta is considered a foremost exponent of Rabindrasangeet(Tagore song) – songs (and lyrics) composed by the India’s first Nobel laureate, Rabindranath Tagore. Hemanta recorded his first Rabindrasangeet disc in 1944 under the Columbia label. The songs were ‘prangane mor shiriishh shaakhaay’ and ‘he nirupamaa’. His first movie as a music director was the Bengali film ‘Abhiyatri’ in 1947. Although many of the songs Hemanta recorded in during this time received critical acclaim, major commercial success still eluded him, right until 1947. Some contemporary male singers of Hemanta in Bengali around that period were Jaganmoy Mitra(also called ‘Jagmohan’), Robin Majumdar, Satya Chowdhury, Dhananjay Bhattacharya, Sudhirlal Chakraborty and Talat Mahmood.

Hemanta Mukherjee Adhunic Bengali Songs at Calcutta Radio Part 1:

1. 004. Amar Jeeboner Eto
2. 005. Aai Khuku Aai
3. 008. Amio Pather Mato
4. 011. Ei Baluka Belai
5. 012. Ei Raat Tomar Amar
6. 018. Je Bnashi Bhenge
7. 021. Kachhe Rabe Kachhe
8. 022. Kahar Galai Parabi Gaaner Ratanhaar
9. 027. Aajo Hridoy Amar
10. 029. Aha Prajapoti
11. 031. Amai Dekhte Balobashi
12. 032. Amar Ei Path-Chaolatei Ananda
13. 036. Ami Jai Chale
14. 037. Ami Jare Swapon
15. 038. Ami Shaheb Noi
16. 039. Ami Tumar Majhe
17. 041. Bhoot Die Ja
18. 042. Abak Prithibi
19. 043. Dhitang Dhitang Bole
20. 044. Ei Je Pother Anagona
21. 045. Ei Meghla Dine Ekla
22. 046. Ei Poth Jodi Na Shas Na Hoi
23. 047. Jeo Na Darao Bondhu
24. 048. Ami Jharer Kache Rekhe Gelam
25. 049. Amar Notun Ganer Jonmotithi Elo
26. 051. Boshe Achi Poth
27. 052. Chhele Belar Galpo
28. 053. Dayal Re Kato
29. 054. Doosh Dio Na
30. 055. Durer Manush
31. 056. E Betha Ki Je
32. 059. Fuleswari Fuleswari
33. 060. Ja Re Ja
34. 061. Jabar Belai Pichhu
35. 063. Jadi Koonodin
36. 066. Je Achhe Dnaraye
37. 067. Je Amar Mon
38. 069. Kandoo Kene Mon
39. 070. Ke Jane Ka Ghanta
40. 071. Ke Jeno Go Dekechhe
41. 072. Keno Dure Thakoo
42. 073. Keno Jamini Na
43. 080. Likhinu Je Lipikhani
44. 081. Lolate Tumar
45. 082. Maloti Vramare
46. 083. Megh Kalo Aandhar Kalo
47. 086. Mone Ki Pore Na
48. 087. Mone Rabey Kina Na Rabey Amare
49. 089. Moneri Kathati

Hemanta Mukherjee Adhunic Bengali Songs at Calcutta Radio Part 2:

• 093. Nabami Nishire
• 095. Nijhum Sandhyai
• 096. Nilamuala Chh-Ana
• 101. O Amar Bangla
• 103. O Doyal
• 105. O Radhe
• 108. Ogo Nadi Apan Bege
• 111. Tumi Shatadal
• 112. Pather klanti Bhule
• 113. Phele Asha Din Guli
• 115. Purano Sei Diner Katha
• 121. Shareer Khana Garoo
• 123. Shoono Bandhu
• 124. Shyamla Gnayer
• 126. Surer Ashar Theke
• 127. Surjo Dobar Pala Ashe Jodi Beshto
• 133. Tomar Bhubone Mago
• 135. Sawono Rate
• 136. Ei Bhebe
• 137. O Tor Sehser Din
• 138. Dine Dine Holo
• 139. Tore Amer Thekalo
• 140. O Amer Doyal
• 141. Ekdin Jete Hobe
• 142. Manush Kule Janmo Nile
• 143. Probhate Uthiya
• 144. Tomai Majhi Kore
• 145. Ek Ful Char Rang
• 146. TUmi Kemonti Hobe
• 147. Amer Harano Din
• 148. Bhaloto Lagena Aj
• 149. Shono Shono Martobashi

Successful Migration to BOMBAY:

In the mid 1940-s, Hemanta became an active member of the Indian People’s Theatrical Association (IPTA) and started an association with another active IPTA member – songwriter and composer – Salil Chowdhury. One of the main driving forces behind the establishment of IPTA was the Bengal famine of 1943 and the inaction of the British administration and wealthy Indians to prevent it from happening. In 1948, Hemanta recorded a non-film song called ‘gaaNyer badhu’ (literally translates to ‘The rural bride’) that had music and lyrics by Salil Chowdhury. The six minute song recorded on two sides of a 78 rpm disc was sung at a varying pace and lacked the conventional structure and romantic theme of a Bengali song. It depicted an idyllic, prosperous and caring rural woman’s life and family, and how it gets ravaged by the demons of famine and ensuing poverty. This song generated an unforeseen popularity for Hemanta and Salil in eastern India, and, in a way, established Hemanta ahead of his male contemporaries. Hemanta and Salil paired again in several songs over the next four years and almost all these songs proved to be very popular. Around the same period, Hemanta started receiving more assignments for music composition for Bengali films. Some of these films were for a director named Hemen Gupta. When Hemen moved to Bombay a few years later, he called upon Hemanta to compose music for his first directorial venture in Hindi titled ‘Anandmath’ under the Filmistan banner. Responding to this call, Hemanta migrated to Bombay in 1951 and joined the Filmistan Studios. The music of Anandmath(1952) was a moderate success. Perhaps, the most notable among ‘Anandmath’ songs is ‘vande mataram’ sung by Lata Mangeshkar, which Hemanta set to a marching tune. Following Anandmath, Hemant scored music for a few Filmistan movies like ‘Shart’ in subsequent years, the songs of which received moderate popularity. Simultaneously, Hemant also gained popularity in Bombay as a playback singer. Hemant’s songs playbacked for actor Dev Anand under music director Sachin Dev Burman in movies like ‘Jaal’, ‘House No. 44′, and ‘Solva Saal’ became quite popular.

CAREER RISE
By the mid-fifties Hemant had consolidated his position as a prominent singer and composer. In Bengal, he was one of the foremost exponents of Rabindrasangeet and perhaps the most sought after male singer. In Bombay, alongwith playback singing, Hemant also carved a niche as a composer. A Hindi film called Nagin(1954) with music by Hemant became a major success owing largely to its music. Songs of Nagin remained chart-toppers continuously for two years and culminated in Hemant receiving the prestigious Filmfare Award for best music director in 1955. The very same year, Hemant scored music for a Bengali movie called ‘Shapmochan’ in which he also playbacked four songs for the Bengali actor Uttam Kumar. This started a long partnership between Hemant and Uttam as a playback singer-actor pair that contributed to their becoming the most popular singer and actor respectively, in Bengal, over the next decade.

In the latter part of the fifties decade Hemanta composed music and playbacked for several Bengali and Hindi films; recorded several Rabindrasangeets and Bengali non-film songs. Almost all of these, especially his Bengali output became very popular. This period can be termed as the zenith of his career and lasted for almost a decade. He sang songs composed by the major music directors in Bengal such as Nachiketa Ghosh, Robin Chatterjee and Salil Chowdhury. Some of the notable films Hemanta himself composed music for during this period include ‘Harano sur’, ‘Marutirtha Hinglaj’, ‘Neel Akasher Nichey’, ‘Lukochuri’, ‘Swaralipi’, ‘Deep jwele jaai’, ‘Shesh Parjanta’, ‘Kuhak’, ‘Dui bhai’, and ‘Saptapadi’ in Bengali, and, ‘Jagriti’ and ‘Ek hi raasta’ in Hindi.

Bengali Filmography as composer

Total number of films: 138

• 1947: Abhiyatri, Purbaraag
• 1948: Bhuli Naai, Padma Pramatta Nadi, Priyatama
• 1949: Diner Par Din, ‘42, Sandipan Pathshala, Swami
• 1951: Jighansa
• 1955: Shapmochan
• 1956: Suryamukhi
• 1957: Shesh Parichay, Taser Ghar, Harano Sur
• 1958: Lookochuri, Shikar, Surjotoron, Joutuk, Neel Akasher Neechey
• 1959: Deep Jweley Jai, Khelaghar, Marutirtha Hinglaj, Sonar Harin, Kshaniker Atithi
• 1960: Baishey Shravan, Gariber Meye, Kuhak, Khoka Babur Prayabartan, Shesh Paryanta
• 1961: Dui Bhai, Agni Sanskar, Madhya Rater Tara, Punashcha, Saptapadi, Sathi Hara, Swaralipi
• 1962: Atal Jaler Ahwan, Agun, Dada Thakur, Hansuli Banker Upakatha, Nabadiganta
• 1963: Badshah, Barnachora, Ek Tukro Agun, High Heel, Palatak, Saat Pake Bandha, Shesh Prahar, Tridhara
• 1964: Arohi, Bibhas, Natun Tirtha, Pratinidhi, Prabhater Rang, Swarga Hotey Biday, Sindoore Megh
• 1965: Alor Pipasa, Ek Tuku Basa, Ek Tuku Chhonya Lage, Suryatapa
• 1966: Kanch Kata Hirey, Monihar
• 1967: Balika Bodhu, Dushtu Prajapati, Nayika Sangbad, Ajana Shapath
• 1968: Adwitya, Baghini, Hansamithun, Jiban Sangeet, Panchasar, Parisodh
• 1969: Chena Achena, Mon Niye, Parineeta, Shuk Sari
• 1970: Deshbandhu Chittaranjan, Duti Mon
• 1971: Kuheli, Malayadaan, Nabaraag, Nimantran, Sansaar
• 1972: Anindita, Shriman Prithviraj
• 1974: Bikele Bhorer Phool, Thagini, Phuleshwari
• 1975: Agniswar, Mohan Baganer Meye, Nishi Mrigaya, Raag Anuraag, Sansar Simantey
• 1976: Banhi Sikha, Datta, Sankhabish, Pratisruti
• 1977: Din Amader, Hatey Roilo Tin, Mantramugdha, Pratima, Proxy, Rajani, Sanai, Shesh Raksha, Swati
• 1978: Ganadevta, Nadi Theke Sagare, Pronoy Pasha
• 1979: Shahar Theke Dooray, Nauka Dubi
• 1980: Bandhan, Dadar Kirti, Paka Dekha, Pankhiraj, Shesh Bichar
• 1981: Kapal Kundala, Khelar Putul, Meghmukti, Subarna Golak
• 1982: Chhoto Maa
• 1983: Amar Geeti, Rajeshwari
• 1984: Agni Shuddhi, Ajantay, Bishabriksha, Didi, Madhuban
• 1985: Bhalobasha Bhalobasha, Tagori
• 1986: Pathbhola
• 1987: Pratibha, Tunibou, Agaman, Boba sanai, Parasmoni, Surer Sathi

Hindi filmography as Composer(Alphabetical)

• A: Anand Math, Anjaan, Anupama, Arab Ka Saudagar
• B: Bahu, Bandhan, Bandi, Bandish, Bees Saal Baad, Bees Saal Pehle, Bhagwat Mahima, Bin Badal Barsaat, Biwi Aur Makaan
• C: Chand, Champakali
• D: Daku Ki Ladki, Do Dil, Do Dooni Char, Do Ladke Dono Kadke, Do Mastane, Durgesh Nandini
• E: Ek hi Raasta, Ek Jhalak
• F: Ferry, Faraar, Fashion
• G: Girl Friend
• H: Hamara Watan, Hill Station, Hum Bhi Insaan Hai
• I: Inspector, Insaaf Kahan Hai
• J: Jagriti
• K: Khamoshi, Kohraa, Kitna Badal Gaya Insaan
• L: Lagan, Laalten, Love in Canada
• M: Maa Beta, Majhli Didi
• N: Nagin, Nayakeenicha Sajja
• P: Payal, Police
• R: Rahgeer
• S: Sahara, Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam, Samrat, Sannata, Shart
• T: Taj
• U: Us Raat Ke Baad
• Y: Yahudi Ki Ladki

Text Has been borrowed from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hemanta_Kumar_Mukhopadhyay

Bengali Superhit Songs by Hemanta Mukherjee

1. Aj Dujanar Duti Path.mp3
2. Aj Raate Ghumiye.mp3
3. Aar Kato Rahibo Sudhu.mp3
4. Amar Jibon Jeno.mp3
5. Ami Dur Hote Tomarai.mp3
6. Ami Jharer Kachhe Rekhe Gelam.mp3
7. Ami Gaan Shonabo.mp3
8. Amio Pather Moto Haria Zabo.mp3
9. Amar Gaaner Swaralipi.mp3
10. Amar Natun Gaaner.mp3
11. Amai Prashno Kore Nil DhroboTara.mp3
12. Amay Prashna Karey Neel.mp3
13. Bandhu Tomar Pather Sathike.mp3
14. Bone Ki Aagun Legechhe.mp3
15. Bonotal Phule Phule Dhaka.mp3
16. Chancholo Mon Anmona Hay.mp3
17. Dagor Dagor Chokhe.mp3
18. De Dol Dol Dol.mp3
19. Dhitang Dhitang Bole.mp3
20. Duranta Ghurnir Ei Legechhe Paak.mp3
21. E Byatha Ki Je Byatha.mp3
22. Ek Gocha Rajoni Gandha Hate Dia.mp3
23. Ek Gochha Rajanigandha.mp3
24. Ei Path Jodi Na Shesh Hay Tabe.mp3
25. Emon Ekta Jhor Uthuk.mp3
26. Ei Je Nadi.mp3
27. Ei Meghla Dina Ekla.mp3
28. Gange Dheu Khele Jai.mp3
29. Gharer Bnadhan Chherei.mp3
30. Ghum Nei Keno Chokhe.mp3
31. Gnayer Bodhu.mp3
32. Hajar Bachhar Dhore.mp3
33. Jabar Age Kichu Bole Gele Na.mp3
34. Jiboner Anekta Path.mp3
35. Jibonpurer Pathik Re.mp3
36. Jakhan Daaklo Bnashi.mp3
37. Jodi Jante Chao.mp3
38. Janina Kakhan Tumi.mp3
39. Ke Jai Sathihara.mp3
40. Khidki Theke Singhaduar.mp3
41. Ki Dekhi Paai Na.mp3
42. Ki Gan Shonabo Bolo.mp3
43. Katena Shomoy Jakhon Are Kichute.mp3
44. Kotodin Pare Ele.mp3
45. Koto Raaginir Bhul.mp3
46. Kon Pakhi Dhara Dite.mp3
47. Konodin Balakara.mp3
48. Megh Kalo Adhar Kalo.mp3
49. Moner Janala Dhare.mp3
50. Muche Jaoa Din Guli.mp3
51. O Akash Pradip Jelo na O Batash Akhi.mp3
52. O Akaash Sona Sona.mp3
53. O Nadire Ekti Khatha Shudhai.mp3
54. Obak Prithibi.mp3
55. Onek Aranya paar Hoye.mp3
56. Ogo Kajal Nayana Harini.mp3
57. Olir Katha Shune.mp3
58. Paalkir Gaan.mp3
59. Pathe Jete Jete.mp3
60. Path Harabo Bolei Ebbar.mp3
61. Pherano Jaabe Na Aar.mp3
62. Prithibir Gaan Akaash Ki.mp3
63. Runner.mp3
64. Sarati Din Dhare.mp3
65. Shamla Ganyerr Kajla Meya.mp3
66. Shono Kono Ekdin.mp3
67. Smaraner Ei Balukabelai.mp3
68. Surer Akaashe Tumi.mp3
69. Surjyo Dobar Pala.mp3
70. Tandrahara Raat Oi.mp3
71. Thikana Amer Cheyecho Bondhu.mp3
72. Thikana.mp3
73. Tomar Amar Karo Mukhe.mp3
74. Tomar Majhe Pelam Khunje.mp3
75. Tumi Ele Anek Diner Pare.mp3
76. Tumi Kede Kede Ghumie Poracho.mp3
77. Tumi to Janona.mp3
78. Valobeshe Digonta Diacho.mp3