Mohammed Aziz, a legendary Indian singer, left an indelible mark on the music industry with his exceptional talent and vast repertoire. His contributions spanned Bollywood, Odia, and Bengali cinema, solidifying his status as a versatile and beloved artist.

Biography/Wiki

Syed Mohammed Aziz-un-Nabi, affectionately known as “Munna,” was born on July 2, 1954, in West Bengal, India. He was deeply inspired by the iconic Mohammed Rafi and began singing at a young age, eventually becoming renowned for his incredible vocal range and ability to hit the seventh note (Saatwan Sur), a feat showcased in songs like “Saare Shikawe Gile Bhulaa Ke Kaho.”

It’s astounding to consider the sheer volume of his work: an estimated 20,000 songs, along with countless bhajans and Sufi songs. His duets with Asha Bhonsle, Anuradha Paudwal, and Kavita Krishnamurthy remain particularly cherished by fans.

Family & Religion

Born into a Muslim family in Guma, North 24 Parganas, West Bengal, Aziz was married at the time of his death and is survived by his daughter, Sana Aziz. He practiced Islam.

Career

Aziz’s career began with performances at Kolkata’s Galib restaurant. His Bengali film debut was in “Jyoti,” followed by his Bollywood debut in “Amber” in 1984. His breakthrough came in 1985 with the song “Mard Taangewala” from the film “Mard,” a song provided to him by Anu Malik.

His distinctive voice was sometimes mistaken for that of Shabbir Kumar. Many prominent music directors, including Laxmikant-Pyarelal, Naushad, Rahul Dev Burman, Bappi Lahiri, and Anu Malik, sought him out after his rising popularity. He also enjoyed a significant presence in the Odia film industry and performed extensively in stage shows both within and outside India since 1967. The 1980s saw him deliver some of his most memorable hits, including “My Name Is Lakhan,” “Apke Aa Jane Se,” and “Lal Dupatta Malmal Ka.”

Laxmikant-Pyarelal played a crucial role in his early success. However, later in his career, other music directors frequently favored singers like Udit Narayan and Kumar Sanu. Despite this, Aziz lent his voice to songs for many iconic actors, including Dilip Kumar, Dev Anand, Shammi Kapoor, Amitabh Bachchan, Rishi Kapoor, Govinda, and Mithun Chakraborty.

Awards

Aziz’s talent garnered numerous accolades:

• Three BFJ Awards (Kolkata)
• Mother Teresa International Award
• Two Aashirwaad Awards (Mumbai)
• An award from former Indian President Gyani Zail Singh
• Two nominations for Best Male Playback Singer

Controversy

In 2017, Aziz publicly criticized Karan Johar’s film, “Ae Dil Hai Mushkil,” after a line about Mohammed Rafi, spoken by Anushka Sharma’s character, offended him. He responded with a 5-minute video expressing his disapproval of the remarks.

Death

On November 27, 2018, Mohammed Aziz passed away at Nanavati Hospital in Mumbai due to a cardiac arrest. He was 64 years old.

Key Milestones in Mohammed Aziz’s Career