Mr. Madan Mohan joined the Army as a Second Lieutenant in the year 1943 where he served for two years until end of World War II.After World War II, he left the Army and returned to Bombay to pursue his musical interests.
In 1946, he joined the All India Radio, Lucknow as Programme Assistant, where he came in contact with various artists such as Ustad Faiyaz Khan, Ustad Ali Akbar Khan, Begum Akhtar, and Talat Mahmood. During these days he would also compose music for programmes to be broadcast on All India Radio.In 1947, he was transferred to All India Radio, Delhi where he worked for a short period.In 1947 he got his first chance to record two ghazals penned by Behzad Lucknawi, Aane Laga Hai Koi Nazar Jalwa Gar Mujhe and Is Raaz Ko Duniya Jaanti Hai.
In 1948 he recorded two more private ghazals penned by Deewan Sharar, Wo Aaye To Mahfil Mein Ithlaate Huye Aaye and Duniya Mujhe Kahti Hai Ke Main Tujhko Bhoolaa Doon.In 1948, he got his first opportunity to sing a film duet Pinjare Mein Bulbul Bole and Mera Chhotasa Dil Dole with Lata Mangeshkar under composer Ghulam Haider (composer) for the film Shaheed (1948 film), though these songs were never released or used in the film.
Between 1948 and 1949, he assisted music composers S.D. Burman for Do Bhai, and Shyam Sundar in Actress and Nirdosh.His first big break was with the film Aankhen (1950 film) in 1950, which marked the beginning of a long lasting collaboration with Mohammed Rafi.Madan was also able to write songs for male singers such as Talat Mahmood (Phir wahi Sham, wahi dil, wahi tanhayee hai, Main Teri Nazar Ka Suroor Hoon and Teri Aankh Ke Aansoo from Jahan Ara, and Meri Yaad Mein Tum Na from Madhosh) and Mohammad Rafi (Ek Haseen Shaam Ko from Dulhan Ek Raat Ki, Kisi Ki Yaad Mein from Jahan Ara, Main Nigahen Tere Chehere Se from Aap Ki Parchaiyian, Aap Ke Pehlun Mein Aakar Ro Diye from Mera Saaya, the all-time haunting Meri Awaaz Suno and Tumhare Zulf Ke Sayen from Naunihal, Teri Aankhon Ke Siva Duniya Mein from Chiraag as well.
The late fifties, sixties and the early seventies were the most productive period in Madan Mohan's career.In 1970, during the changing times of western music he gave music based on ragas for Rajinder Singh Bedi's Dastak and won his only 1971 National Film Award for Best Music Direction.The ghazal he composed for the movie "Dil Ki Rahein" and "Rasm-e-ulfat ko nibhaein to nibhaein kaise" are considered as one of the best songs sung by Lata Mangeshkar, ever.Madan Mohan's son Sanjeev Kohli recreated 11 of his late father's unused compositions for the soundtrack of the 2004 Yash Chopra film Veer-Zaara.
He died of liver cirrhosis on 14th July 1975.
He was awarded the IIFA award 2005, for Music Direction for Veer-Zaara.
Source : FB page of Mr. Chandrkant Pendenekar
Forwarded by:- P.K.Tripathi, Lucknow.