Bhupinder Singh

Born on 8th February 1940, Bhupinder Singh is an Indian artist renowned for his contributions as a playback singer in Bollywood and as a ghazal performer. Nattha Singh, a proficient Sikh vocalist, served as his mother in Amritsar, Punjab. Bhupinder's father, disapproving of music and musical instruments at one point, was a stern teacher.

Music Career

Guided by Satish Bhatia, Bhupinder Singh commenced his career as a substitute artist on All India Radio. He also held a position at Doordarshan Center in New Delhi and learned to play the guitar. In 1962, during a dinner in his honor where Singh played the guitar for Satish Bhatia, the producer of AIR Delhi, music director Madan Mohan heard him and invited him to Bombay. Singh got the opportunity to perform the song "Hoke Majboor Mujhe Usne Bulaya Hoga" in Chetan Anand's "Haqeeqat" alongside Mohammed Rafi, Talat Mahmood, and Manna Dey. Khayyam gave him a solo in the movie "Aakhri Khat." Singh is known for his unique voice in playback singing, and he has collaborated with Mohammed Rafi and Kishore Kumar in several popular duets.

Later on, Bhupinder joined Rahul Dev Burman's musical ensemble, showcasing his guitar skills in various notable compositions, including "Dum Maro Dum." As their bond strengthened, R D Burman provided him with the chance to lend his voice in Gulzar's "Parichay" (1972). The songs "Beeti Na Beetai Raina" and "Mitwa Bole Meethe Bai" from the movie played a key role in establishing Bhupinder as a prominent vocalist. He went on to render several other notable songs in Gulzar's films, including tracks like "Dil Dhoondta Hai," "Naam Gum Jayega," and "Ek Akela Is Shaher Mein" from "Mausam."

Following this, Singh embarked on releasing solo albums. His debut album in 1968 included three self-penned songs, while his second album in 1978, focused on ghazals, incorporated Spanish guitar, bass, and drums in the ghazal style. The third album, "Woh Jo Shair Tha," released in 1980, featured lyrics penned by Gulzar.

After marrying Bangladeshi singer Mitali, Singh withdrew from playback singing in the mid-1980s and began performing alongside her in live albums and concerts. Together, they produced numerous ghazals and geet cassettes.

Why Bhupinder Singh Gave Up Singing in 80s

In the 1970s, a song's success relied on both its tune and lyrics. However, over time, Bhupinder became dissatisfied with the growing commercialization of film music. After marrying Mitali in the mid-1980s, he shifted towards singing ghazals and distanced himself from Hindi movies.

Bhupinder clarified in an interview with an entertainment portal, stating, "I didn't leave Hindi cinema music because I lacked offers. The truth is, the kind of music they wanted me to perform was not in line with my temperament or style. In the 1980s, songs became less significant and were merely a component in Hindi movies. Additionally, music without meaningful lyrics is, in my view, devoid of soul. I have stayed away from Hindi movies because of this."

Afterward, he expressed, "I would simply decline to sing if the music director insisted on unnecessary innovations." I assess the depth of the poetry I lend my voice to, and I insist on the purity of lyrics."

Bhupinder collaborated with stalwarts such as Laxmikant-Pyarelal, Khayyam, and RD Burman over the course of his three-decade career. In addition to his vocal contributions, he also played the guitar for songs like Mehbooba O Mehbooba, Dum Maro Dum, Chura Liya, and Chalte Chalte.

Personal Life

Bhupinder wed the singer Mitali Mukherjee of Bangladesh in the 1980s. They sang ghazals together at concerts and on Doordarshan. Nihal Singh is their son and he is also a musician. Singh passed away on July 18, 2022, at the age of 82 due to a heart arrest. In addition to being suspected of having colon cancer, he has COVID-19.

Conclusion

Born in Amritsar in 1940, Bhupinder Singh was a renowned Indian playback and ghazal singer, known for his unique voice. Starting his career with All India Radio, he gained recognition for his rendition of "Aakhri Khat." Besides playback singing, he released solo albums where he blended Spanish guitar with ghazals. Collaborating with Kishore Kumar and Mohammed Rafi, he contributed to notable songs like "Dil Dhoondta Hai" and "Naam Gum Jayega." After marrying Bangladeshi singer Mitali Mukherjee in the 1980s, he performed ghazals with her. Singh, who passed away in 2022 at the age of 82, left a significant impact on Indian music.