Khemchand Prakash (December 12, 1907 – August 10, 1950) was one of the Hindi film industry's legendary composers, whose brilliance makes the 1940s a masterpiece. It was this decade that initially saw the dominance of K. L. Saigal, and by the end, the era of Lata Mangeshkar had been established. Lata Mangeshkar's initial successful collaborations were with Khemchand Prakash in Asha, Ziddi (1948), and Mahal (1949). It was through these collaborations that Lata Mangeshkar and Kishore Kumar received their first major film music opportunities. Years after his death, renowned music director Kamal Dasgupta called him the best composer of Hindi cinema.

Khemchand Prakash Early Life And Music Legacy

Khemchand Prakash was born on December 12, 1907, in Sujangarh (then princely state of Bikaner, present-day Rajasthan state). His early music and dance training was provided by his father, a court Dhrupad singer and Kathak dancer. As a teenager, he joined the Bikaner court as a singer, and later also served with the Nepal court. He then moved to Kolkata and joined the renowned New Theatres. There, he worked as an assistant to composer Timir Baran on the film Devdas (1935). He also sang the comic song "Lo Kha Lo Madam Khana" in the film Street Singer (1938). He then came to Mumbai and debuted as a composer in 1939 with Supreme Pictures' films Meri Aankhen and Ghazi Salahuddin. He was soon signed by Ranjit Movietone Studios.

Biggest success – Tansen (1943)

The songs of this film became very popular:

• “Light the lamp, shine brightly.”

Musician Anil Biswas, while praising him in a radio program, said that Khemchand Prakash was the musician who composed the song 'Sapta Suran Teen Gram' in Dhrupad style, keeping in mind the historical period of Tansen, because Khayal style did not exist in Tansen's time.

Ziddi (1948) – Kishore Kumar and Lata Mangeshkar's big break

Ziddi (1948) was another important film in his career.

• He gave Kishore Kumar his first big break – the song "Marne ki duayen kyun manghoon."

• Lata Mangeshkar's beautiful song "Chanda Re Ja Re Ja Re" from the film also became popular.

Mahal (1949) – History-making musical

Mahal Marks Lata Mangeshkar’s Breakthrough Moment

The film Mahal made Lata Mangeshkar a superstar overnight. The credits for the song "Aayega Aanewala" on the first record only had the character's name - 'Kamni' written on it. When the song was played on the radio, listeners sent in large numbers of calls and letters asking who the singer was. AIR, after taking information from the record company, announced Lata Mangeshkar's name on the radio for the first time. This song is still considered one of the greatest songs in the history of Indian cinema.

Khemchand Prakash Death Linked To Mahal Song Legacy

Khemchand Prakash died on 10 August 1950 at the age of just 42 due to liver cirrhosis. Kamal Amrohi, director of the film Mahal, wrote the opening lines of the song "Khamosh Hai Zamana", while Naqshband completed the rest of the lyrics. Surprisingly, the tune on which "Aayega Aanewala" was composed was composed by Khemchand Prakash on the harmonium and played to Amrohi - and he passed away just two months later.

His family and subsequent discussions

In his first speech in the Rajya Sabha in 2012, Javed Akhtar said that Khemchand Prakash's second wife, Sridevi, was reduced to begging at the railway station in the last days of her life. His daughter, Chandrakala Khemchand Prakash, was also a Kathak dancer and later became the wife of Padmashree actor-director Ram Gopal Bajaj.

FAQs

Q1. Who was Khemchand Prakash?

Khemchand Prakash was a great Indian film composer of the 1940s, who composed memorable music for films like Tansen, Ziddi, and Mahal.

Q2. When and where was Khemchand Prakash born?

He was born on 12 December 1907 in Sujangarh (Rajasthan) .

Q3. Where did Khemchand Prakash get his music training?

He received his early education from his father, a Dhrupad singer and Kathak dancer. He later practiced music in royal courts.

Q4. How did Khemchand Prakash start his career?

He began his career at New Theatres in Kolkata , where he assisted Timir Baran on the film Devdas (1935).
He later moved to Mumbai and became an independent composer with Miri Aankhen (1939).

Q5. Which was Khemchand Prakash's biggest hit film?

The film Tansen (1943) was his biggest success, containing many immortal songs.

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