Hemanta Kumar Mukhopadhyay

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Hemanta Kumar

Hemanta Kumar Mukhopadhyay (Bangla: হেমন্ত কুমার মুখোপাধ্যায় Hemonto Kumar Mukhopaddhae) or Hemanta Mukherjee (1920 - 1989) was an Indian film playback singer, composer and producer. Kumar adopted the name Hemant Kumar after he entered Bollywood in the 1950s.

Born in Varanasi (Benares), his fame as a singer of Bengali and Hindi songs began early in his life with his first appearance on All India Radio in the late 1930s. He also became one of the most active proponents of Rabindrasangeet, the songs of the most famous Bengali poet of the 20th century, Rabindranath Tagore.

In 1940 he launched his career in Indian movies when he appeared as a singer in the Bengali film Sanyasi and in 1944 he appeared in his first Hindi language film Iraada. During this period he also established himself as a competent composer of Bengali songs.

Hemanta Kumar

During the 1950s his full baritone voice established him as the undisputed star of middle-class Bengali romanticism, where love was found, lost and then regained; where joy was unbounded and despair fathomless. His style of delivery became the standard for all romantic heroes in Indian film since his time. His first Hindi success as a composer was Nagin, which introduced electronics into Indian film.

Still later, Kumar branched out into film production with movies of a decidedly occidental cast, like Bees Saal Baad based on The Hound of the Baskervilles and Kohraa derived from Daphne du Maurier's Rebecca.

Even after his death in 1989, Hemant Kumar remains a leading role model that other male Indian singers imitate.

[edit] Selected filmography

A: Anand Math, Anjaan, Anupama, Arab Ka Saudagar, Asha
B: Bandhan, Bandi, Bandish, Bees Saal Baad, Bees Saal Pehle, Bhagwat Mahima, Bin Badal Barsaat, Biwi Aur Makaan
C: Chand
D: Do Dil, Do Dooni Char, Do Ladke Dono Kadke, Do Mastane, Durgesh Nandini
E: Ek hi Raasta, Ek Jhalak
F: Ferry, Faraar, Fashion
G: Girl Friend
H: Hamara Watan, Hill Station, House No:44
I: Inspector
J: Jagriti, Jaal
K: Khamoshi, Kohra
L: Lagan
M: Maa Beta, Majhli Didi, Munimji, Mamta
N: Nagin, Nayakeenicha Sajja
P: Payal, Police
R: Rahgeer
S: Sahara, Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam, Samrat, Sannata, Shart, Saza
T: Taj
U: Us Raat Ke Baad
Y: Yahudi Ki Ladki

Hemant Kumar was married to Bela Mukherjee, who was also a singer in her younger days. They have two children. A son Jayant and a daughter Ranu, who is also a singer. Son Jayant is married to popular actress Mousumi Chatterjee.