Hemanta Kumar Mukhopadhyay is one of the most highly regarded Bengali singers from Kolkata, who started off with modern Bengali songs but went on to sing both Rabindrasangeet and Hindi songs. The contribution of his melodious voice to the films and otherwise had ushered in a freshness in the contemporary music. He continues to be as popular even today as almost two decades have passed but music companies continue to market his songs as successfully as ever. His contemporaries lovingly referred to him as 'Hemantada' As a student, Mukhopadhyay was brilliant but he opted out of the Jadavpur University to continue with his music career.
Music Career of Hemanta Kumar Mukhopadhyay
Though Hemanta Mukhopadhyay had no formal training in music or singing lessons, he had an amazingly tuneful voice, which won over many of his friends and relatives. On of their family friends, an acquaintance of his father took interest in voice and introduced him to Sailesh Dutta Gupta. He later gave him the first important break in music and thus his first release was launched within a month of the recording. The song had been penned by Naresh Bhatttacharya and the music was directed by Sailesh Dutta Gupta. He was just sixteen at this point of time.
Significant Events in Hemanta Kumar Mukhopadhyay's Music Career
- When Hemanta Kumar Mukhopadhyay was just 14, he sang in All India Radio. The song was 'Amar ganete elo noborupe chirontoni'.
- His first music record was released in 1937 by the Columbia Music Company.
- In 1938, Hemanta Mukhopadhyay became a full time singer.
- In 1940, Mukhopadhyay joined the Indian Peoples' Theater Association
- Hemanta Mukhopadhyay made his first directorial debute in 1945 in the songs of the Bengali films, Purbaraag and Abhijaatri.
- Hemanta Mukherjee received his formal education in Rabindrasangeet much later from Pankaj Mullick and Suchitra Mitra.
- He introduced Rabindrasangeet to Bengali Films.
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- Hemanta Mukhopadhayay made in big in the Bombay film industry around the 1950s. V Shanataram had approached him for 'Shiv Shakti'. Other significant Hiindi Projects in which he participated were Zameen Asman, Nagin and Anandamath to name a few.
Some of the Modern Bengali Songs by Hemanta Kumar Mukhopadhyay
- Aj Rate Ghumiye Porona Tumi
- Ami Dur Hote Tomarei Dekhechi
- Tumi Ele Anek Diner Pore
- Kono Ek Gayer Bodhur Katha
- Muche Jawa Dinguli
- Mago Tomar Bhabna Keno
- Oliro Katha Shune
- O Akash Prodip Jelona
- Prithibir Gan Akash Ki
- Ami To Jani
Some of the Rabindrasangeet by Hemanta Kumar Mukhopadhyay
- Ebar Nirob Kore Dao Hey
- Amar Jabar Belay Pichu Dake
- Esho Esho Esho Priye
- Tui Phele Shechish Kare
- Aar Naire Bela Namlo Chaya
- Amar Rat Pohalo Sharodo Prate
- Mor Beena Othe
- Shedin Dujone Dulechinu Bone
Some of the Hindi Film Songs by Hemanta Kumar Mukhopadhyay
- Na Yeh Chaand Hoga
- Chali Gori Peeke Milan
- Beqarar Karke Hamen
- Sawan Mein Barkha
- Dil Chhed Koi Eisa Nagma
- Sun Ja Dil Ki Dastan
- Rulakar Chal Diye
- Teri Duniya Mein Jeene Se
Awards Won By Hemanta Kumar Mukhopadhyay
He has to his credit the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award, the honor of D.Litt by Vishva Bharati University and the National award for Lalan Fakir. Significantly, he had turned down the offer of Padma Shree twice.
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