Among the most soulful and heartfelt voices in the history of Hindi cinema, singer Mukesh's name always comes right at the top. Evergreen songs like "Mera Joota Hai Japani" and "Awaara Hoon" still feel as fresh today as they did decades ago. Mukesh may no longer be with us, but his voice continues to live on in millions of hearts. Just as memorable as his songs are the stories from his life, and one of the most fascinating is his habit of fasting before every recording.
Why Mukesh sang on an empty stomach
Very few people know that Mukesh would not eat anything before heading into the studio to record a new song. For him, singing was never just a job, it was something closer to an act of worship. He wanted his singing to carry complete purity and devotion. He believed that staying on an empty stomach gave his voice extra depth, clarity and purity, allowing him to express the pain and emotion of a song far more powerfully. That is precisely why his voice always carried a distinct intensity that still moves listeners today.
Mukesh was Raj Kapoor's real voice
The friendship between Raj Kapoor and Mukesh is still remembered as one of the film industry's most iconic bonds. Whenever Raj Kapoor appeared to sing on screen, the voice behind it actually belonged to Mukesh. The understanding between the two was so deep that people would often say Raj Kapoor was the body while Mukesh was the soul. When news of Mukesh's death reached him, Raj Kapoor was completely shattered. In tears, he said that he had lost his voice that day, and wondered what would become of him now. That single line still reflects just how personal and heartfelt their bond truly was.
A man of simplicity and discipline
Despite being such a towering artist, Mukesh remained an extremely simple and grounded person in real life. He was deeply disciplined about his craft, and his habit of fasting before recordings reflects just how genuine his love for music was. That is why, even decades later, whenever one of his songs plays, listeners still find themselves moved. It is this very simplicity and his devotion to his work that continue to make him a favourite singer across generations.
