Talat Mahmood Biography 
Talat Mahmood was one of the leading male voices of Bollywood yesterdays. His songs are regarded as classics. He was equally popular as a ghazal singer and has acted in a few movies as well. His unique singing style gives a magical effect on its listeners and still now, Bollywood music is incomplete without mentioning his name. He was awarded Padma Bhushan in the year 1992. He appeared in about 16 movies which include both Hindi and Bengali. He recorded numerous Bangla songs under the assumed name "Tapankumar" and now too, they are regarded as timeless melodies.
Talat Mahmood was born in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh. From early childhood he was a great listener of Indian classic music. But he came from a conservative Muslim family and to choose singing as a career was not encouraged. He ignored resistance offered by his family and chose singing as his career. His talent and intentions were accepted by family one decade later only when he was the most glowing name as the singer in the industry.
Talat apprenticed classical music under Pandit S.C.R. Bhat at Marris College of Music, Lucknow during 1930’s. He started concentrating on to pure ghazals since 1939. His voice had a quality distinct from all the other singers and he worked in All India Radio. HMV offered him an opportunity and his first disc was released in 1941 with songs - Sab din ek samaan nahin tha, Iska to kuch dhyan nahin tha and Bun jaoon ga kya se kya maine. Though he was popular with ghazals, he has sung a few Indian classical songs as well. "Sapnon Ki Suhaani Duniyaa Ko" for film Shikast and " Laage Tose Naina " for Chaandi Ki Deewar are the best instances.
In 1944, the song - Tasveer teri dil mera behela nah sake gi was released and still now, it remains as one of the top seller in discs. Top songs of Talat as a playback singer are Jalte hain jiske liye of Sujata, Dil-E-Nadaan tujhe hua kya hai - Mirza Ghalib , Itna na mujhse tu pyar badha - Chhaya , Aye mere dil kahin aur chal - Daag , Humse aaya na gaya - Dekh Kabira Roya, Jayen to jayen kahan - Taxi Driver, Meri yaad me tum na – Madhosh and Phir wohi sham wohi gam - Jahan Aara. His Malayalam film song – Kadale Neela kadale was also very popular.
Published: N/A
Updated: October 23, 2013
