Tribute to playback singer Madhubala Jhaveri 1935-2013

Madhubala Jhaveri (19-1-1935 // 11-9-2013)

Copied from facebook post Imprints and Images of Indian Film Music  September 11, 2016 ·

Madhubala Jhaveri was one of those newcomers of the 1950s who could extend her carreer as a playback singer in Hindi film industry for a longer period (active years 1951-1961).

Madhubala Jhaveri recorded her first song for the film ‘Bhoole Bhatke’ (1952) under the baton of music director Manohar Arora. However, the film was delayed and her first film to be released was ‘Rajput’ (1951) in which she sang 4 songs under music director Hansraj Bahl. Later on, she sang for Hansraj Bahl the most number of songs during her association with him (1951-55).

She sang a beautiful duet with Talat Mahmood "Dil mera tera deewaana" in 'Apni Izzat' (1952) that gave her some recognition as a playback singer.

Some of her popular and memorable songs are Mai ghata tou saawan (Jaggu, 1952), Aye zamane bata with Talat Mahmood (Dost, 1954), Thehr zara o jaane waale with Manna Dey and Asha Bhosle (Boot Polish, 1954), Jaa re jaa nindiya ja with Lata Mangeshkar (Jhanjhar, 1953) and Jayega jab yahan se kuchh bhi na saath hoga with Mohammed Rafi (Moti Mahal, 1952). Tera Mera Janam Ka Hai Saath Re(Aastik, 1956), Peepal Ki Chaon Tale (Chaar Chaand,1953) and Kyon Dil Pe Rakha Haath Hai (Darbaar, 1955).

Madhubala Jhaveri sang around 100 songs in 52 Hindi films. Out of them, as many as 42 songs in 13 films were under the music direction of Hansraj Bahl. One can say that Hansraj Bahl was her mentor in shaping her playback singing career.

In 1958, she married Madan Mohan Chawla and by that time, her carrier as a playback singer in Hindi film industry was on a declining trajectory. By the start of 60s, her carrier in Hindi films was virtually ended. After she sang in ‘Apsara’ (1961) and ‘Murad’ (1961), her next and the last film was ‘London Express (1968). However, she continued to sing for Marathi films and also a few Gujarati films.

Madhubala Jhaveri passed away on 11th September, 2013.

(Image: Madhubala Jhaveri with Sardul Singh Kwatra, the renowned music director in Hindi and Punjabi cinema, Mohammed Rafi and Khalil Anwar)