Bhupinder Singh: A legendary singer with deep & soulful voice, writes Dr. Jagadindra Raychoudhury

Aug. 10: Music is something different from all sorts of our everyday life and it touches the heart of music lover if it is melodious. Normally, there are two basic elements of music that define melody which are pitch and rhythm. Actually, melody is a succession of pitches in rhythm. A melodious voice always draws attention to music listeners because it is something that sounds pleasant. It is to be noted that striking and tuneful singing voice is an example of a melodious singing voice. But a deep, soulful voice imbibes in various ways and intensifies on hearts of music lovers. Bhupinder Singh was one of them whose deep voice attracted many fold ways to music lovers across India and abroad. Really, his voice was unique with extraordinary melody which attracted easily to the listeners. But this legendary Indian musician and singer, passed away on 18 July, 2022 in a cardiac arrest.

Bhupinder Singh was born on 6 February, 1940 in Amritsar, Punjab. He grew up in a family with full of musicians. His father was a professor in music and elder brother was an instrumentalist. Initially, Bhupinder Singh started to play guitar and violin in his early life. Bhupinder Singh started his career as a casual artist in All India Radio (AIR) Delhi under the direction of Satish Bhatia. He also worked in Doordarshan centre, New Delhi.

Music composer Madan Mohan spotted him in a dinner party which was arranged by Satish Bhatia in the honour of Madan Mohan. Madan Mohan advised him to try his luck in Bollywood and gave him the first break with Mohammad Rafi, Manna Dey and Talat Mahmood in Haqeeqat. The song was “Hoke majboor mujhe” which became popular in due course of time. Bhupinder Singh never looked back since then and went on to work with various legendary singers like melody queen Lata Mangeshkar, Asha Bhosle and music composer like R.D. Burman and Bappi Lahiri.

Bhupinder Singh was a versatile singer, right from playing twelve string guitar in the song ‘Dum maro dum’ in Hare Ram Hare Krishna to singing ghazals and also other popular songs as play back singer in Bollywood. Some of his popular songs are –Mera Rang De Basanti chola ( Saheed), Kisi Nazar Ko Tera Intezar (Atibaar), Dil Dhoonta Hai (Mousam), Pyar Hamen Kis Mod Pe (Satte pe Satta), Naam Gum Jayega, Ek Akela is Shehar Mein, Beete Na Bitai Raina etc. which made him famous.

Bhupinder Singh started his self composition simultaneously along with his play back singing where his first LP had three self composed songs was released in 1968. A second LP of ghazals where he introduced Spanish guitar, bar and drum to the ghazal style, released in 1978 with continuation of third LP titled – Woh Jo Shair Tha, in which the lyrics were written by Gulzar in 1980.

Entering wedlock with Bangladeshi singer Mitali Mukherjee, he stopped play back singing in the mid 1980s and began singing jointly for several albums, performed ghazals in Doordarshan and live concerts. Together they produced many ghazals and geet cassettes. His only son named Nihal Singh is also a musician.

Apart from his play back singing with popularity in Bollywood, he extended his expertise hand in playing of guitar and established as a renowned guitarist in some popular songs like – Dum Maro Dum, Waadiyaan Meraa Daaman, Chura Liya Hei, Chingari Koi Bhadke, Chalte Chalte, Tum Jo Mil gaye Ho etc.

 It is true that cultural icons are always acclaimed in a peak in their field with their name and fame and they are able to dwell in a space in the heart of music lovers. Bhupinder Singh was one of them and his melodious voice easily touches soul of listeners. He is no more with us, but his deep and soulful voice always reminds us of his existence in our hearts for ever.