70’s& 80’s was the worst era in Hindi film music.

Haven’t we often heard this sentiment? While disco and dholak were ruling the roost, the sentiment isn’t quite true. Melodious tunes were being churned out by the likes of Madan Mohan, Jaidev, RD Burman and Khayyam. And the beautifully sensitive, unique bass voice of Bhupinder Singh became the carrier of some of the best melodies of the era. Mostly penned by Gulzar or Kaifi Azmi, these songs have stood the test of time.

Born in a family of musicians, Bhupinder was not interested in pursuing music, initially. But later he joined All India Radio and Doordarshan in Delhi. Madan Mohan heard him once and gave him a break as one of the voices in the song, Hoke Majboor Usne Bulaaya Hoga (Haqeeqat, 1964) along with the likes of Md. Rafi, Talat Mahmood and Manna Dey. Bhupinder stood his ground firmly amongst the stalwarts and there was no looking back.

Bhupinder’s songs never became runaway hits but had a cult following by those who loved his languid melodious style. The lyrics of his songs were almost always incredible as they were penned by the master poets. Even the movies in which his songs were placed had insightful and socially relevant content as opposed the popular melodramatic action movies of the era. This added to the cult following.

Very few know that apart from being a beautiful singer, he was a great guitarist playing the instrument in some of the major hits of the era. Consider songs like Dum Maaro Dum (Hare Rama, Hare Krishna), Chura Liya Hai (Yaadon Ki Baraat), Chalte Chalte (Chalte Chalte) and Mehbooba Mehbooba (Sholay) among others.

Around mid 80’s Bhupinder shifted his attention from movies songs to Ghazals along with his wife (and singer) Mitali and they were often seen on Doordarshan, the sole channel of the era. In the modern era he did a movie song or two with Gulzar including the sonorous album, Sunset Point.

Growing up in 80’s India, Bhupinder’s melodious bass voice was an integral part of my childhood as my family was a part of that cult following. And I had the great fortune of hearing him live a few times. He was always marvellous, sitting calmly with his harmonium and rendering his gems. His loss means losing a part of my childhood. Travel well, Bhupi Sir.

Notable songs:

-        Naam Gum Jaayega (Kinara, Gulzar, RD Burman)

-        Dil Dhoondhta Hai (Mausam, Gulzar, Madan Mohan)

-        Ek Akela Is Sheher Mein (Gharaonda, Gulzar, Jaidev)

-        Kabhi Kisi Ko Muqqamal Jahaan (Nida Fazli, Khayyam)

-        Beete Na Bitayi Raina (Gulzar, RD Burman)

-        Rut Jawaan (His first solo, Kaifi Azmi, Khayyam)

-        KarogeYaad To (Bashar Nawaz, Khayyam)

By Meraj Hasan

Meraj Hasan is a Dubai based marketing and communications professional, poet and a musician with a passion for listening to music the vinyl way. His 33 years old Technics (SL Q3) turntable along with a humble collection of LPs across genres like Rock, Classical, Blues, Jazz, Indian Classical are his prized possessions. He is also the author of a bestselling book of poems in Hindustani called, 'Khyaalon Ki Tapri'.

He can be reached at +971 522766809 and meraj.hasan@gmail.com.