Veteran Singer, Mahendra Kapoor Breathed His Last

It was a big loss to the Film industry when a sad demise of legendary singer was Veteran Singer, Mahendra Kapoor Breathed His Lastreported on Saturday evening. Mahendra Kapoor was undeniably one the most sought after and finest singers of yesteryears. The singer breathed his last at his Mumbai residence in Bandra, after being suffering from Heart problems, a stroke and Kidney dysfunction. He was 74.

He was born at Amritsar, in Punjab. Started his career in the late 1950’s when he won a Singing Competition at All India Youth Festival and achieved a major breakthrough when he was offered his first playback singing assignment that paved his way into Bollywood. His first song that was highly acclaimed was 'Aadha Hai Chandra Ma, Raat Aadhi' composed by Music Director C Ramachandra. Most of the patriotic songs featuring Manoj Kumar were sung by him.

Mahendra Kapoor shared a good chemistry with Producer-Director B R Chopra and sung for many of his films. He was crowned with the most prestigious Award, the Padamshree and was well known for his songs such as 'Meri Desh Ki Dhartee', 'Sona Ugle, Ugle Heere Moti' for Upkaar on Manoj Kumar. During the 80’s, he also sang for the famous Chopra’s tele series, the Mahabharata.

During the late 1960s and 1970s he also sang for Chopra's Gumrah, Humraaz and Waqt which had Sunil Dutt in it and musical scores were created by the Music Director Ravi. Filmfare Awards were showered upon him for his well deserved 'Chalo Ek Baar Phir Se' in Gumrah, and 'Neele Gagan Ke Tale' in Humraaz. Along with his son, Rohan Kapoor he also hosted the TV series of Antakshari. He is left by three daughters and a son, Rohan Kapoor after him.