Madan Mohan: Melodious Man,In the memory of the one who is separated from you

Madan Mohan was a unique musician in himself, who composed very few tunes in his lifetime. But whatever music he composed, it is heard even today. He died on 14 July 1975. But, even today, 50 years later, Madan Mohan’s place remains in the hearts of those who like old songs. The full name of this musician was Madan Mohan Kohli.
He was in the army in his youth. Later, due to his inclination towards music, he joined All India Radio.

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  By Raviraj Pranami

Madan Mohan means ‘Double M’, that is, where music, mousiki and music get double resonance. Where music starts boasting about its existence. Where music starts saying that come and show me by coming out of my circle! Come and get trapped in this talisman created by Madan Mohan. Come and listen, if you have found it, then you have found this world! How simple is this philosophy and everyone is wandering! He lived a short life, but became the essence of life for his admirers.

‘I can come to any corner of the world to meet Madan Mohan!’ Only a devotee of Madan Mohan can understand this sentence and only a devotee of Madan Mohan can say it. Said by Subodh Holkar, a close friend who is neck deep in the world of music created by Madan Mohan and the ears were of Raviraj Pranami himself, who, like all Madan Mohan devotees of the world, believes that Madan Mohan belongs only to him! Then begins the cross-examination of his, that is, the God of spiritual music’s musical imagination, that makes one cry! Somewhere with this thanks to God that I started understanding Madan Mohan, knowing him and saying a few things about him. Every musician is unique. Everyone has his own style and his own musical bliss, but Madan Mohan was different from all others. He did not become Madan Mohan because someone told him or made him understand. Only those who understand Madan Mohan can understand the state of this musician’s life. To know Madan Mohan, one has to be born in this world with a brilliant musical mind, otherwise even those close to Madan Mohan could not know and understand him! What is the difference between someone who does not live for himself for 51 years and sacrifices his life to move your soul and a prophetic angel! Madan Mohan’s charm is created by us. We keep looking at his picture for hours and keep regretting why this great personality is not here today! If he were here today, he would have been over a hundred years old. But Madan Mohan’s heart wishes that he were here. It has been 50 years since he left this world and the gathering, but it seems that all his creations are of yesterday, they were created just now. Listening to ‘Lag Ja Gale’, it does not seem that this song was recorded 62 years ago. Even today we hold it in our hearts with the same intensity. He sang many memorable ghazals with Talat Mahmood and Lata Mangeshkar. These include compositions like Aapki Nazron Ne Samjha (Anpadh 1962), Agar Mujhse Mohabbat Hai. His favorite singer was Mohammad Rafi. When Rishi Kapoor and Ranjeeta’s film ‘Laila Majnu’ was being made, Kishore Kumar’s name came up as the singer, but Madan Mohan clearly said that Majnu’s voice on screen will be of Rafi sahab only and he got his favorite singer Mohammad Rafi to sing. ‘Laila Majnu’ proved to be a huge musical hit. Also, Rafi sahab became the voice of actor Rishi Kapoor.

It is also a wonder that his unused tunes were used in Yash Chopra’s film ‘Veer Zara’ in 2004, years after his death.

Javed Akhtar wrote the lyrics for his tunes. Madan Mohan, this very talented musician who gave timeless songs, died at the young age of 51!

The pain of not getting big films or big awards kept giving birth to the audience, on milestone songs like ‘Ye Duniya Ye Mehfil Mere Kaam Ki Nahi’, his world, his mehfil became not only useful but life became full of meaning. Look at the fate, the new generation gets awards today by singing the songs of the same unique Madan Mohan from whom awards were kept away. I am still in search of songs like ‘Tum kya jaano tum kya ho’ and ‘Tum se bichkar ke chaan kahan hum paayenge’! After listening to your story, I am crying and you are asking ‘why did you cry!’ When it seems that living in the world of the criers is difficult, then ‘the heart searches for those leisure time nights and days’ and ‘the excuses that were made to go away from me!’ How can that person know music, who does not know your value. This is the desire of my restless heart, I will love you, I will worship you, I will make you my God! It has been 50 years today, tomorrow 100 will also pass and I will keep talking about you and saying ‘if you permit, I will sing a song!’