Obituary: Veteran singer Mahendra Kapoor passes away


MUMBAI: Veteran singer Mahendra Kapoor passed away today at the Leelavati Hospital in Mumbai. He was 74 years old.

In his long-standing career in Bollywood, Kapoor has sung songs for movies like Dillagi, Hero Hiralal, Kranti, Karma, Mashaal, Yudh, Jaag Utha Insan, Painter Babu, Razia Sultan, Saajan Ki Saheli, Insaf Ka Tarazu, Kaala Patthar, Jaani Dushman, Noorie, Muqaddar Ka Sikandar, Pati Patni Aur Woh, Amar Akbar Anthony, Bairaag, Dharmatma, Victoria No. 203, Woh Kaun Thi?, Gumrah, Jis Desh Men Ganga Behti Hai, Haath Ki Safai amognst others.

Kapoor was a favourite amongst the B.R. Chopra camp and has done playback singing for the banner’s films like Dhool Ka Phool, Gumrah, Waqt, Hamraaz and Dhund.

He won the National Film Award in 1968 for Best Male Playback Singer for the song Mere Desh Ki Dharti from the film Upkaar. He was also awarded the Padmashri by the Government of India and the Lata Mangeshkar Award by the Maharashtra government.

Some of the popular songs that he has sung are Neele Gagan Ke Tale (Hamraaz), Lakhon Hain Yahan Dilwale (Kismat), Mere Desh Ki Dharti (Upkar), Aur Nahin Bas Aur Nahin (Roti Kapada Aur Makaan), Bharat Ka Rahnewala Hoon (Purab Aur Pacchim) and Ab Ke Baras (Kranti) amongst others.