Remembering Andaman’s ‘Voice of Mukesh’: A melody that time can never silence

By Asheesh Poddar
There are voices that never truly fade. Though the singer may no longer be with us, the melodies continue to echo in countless hearts. Such is the enduring legacy of Ashok Kumar, affectionately remembered across the Andaman & Nicobar Islands as the rare ‘Voice of Mukesh’. As 20 July 2026 marks his first heavenly birthday, the Islands fondly remember a gifted artiste whose soulful renditions enriched their cultural landscape for decades.
Ashok Kumar’s musical journey was shaped by an abiding love for the golden era of Hindi film music. In his formative years, he was an ardent admirer of the legendary Kishore Kumar and captivated audiences with heartfelt renditions of the singer’s evergreen classics. A defining turning point came after he joined Indradhanush Sangeet Sangatthan, founded in 1989. It was here that fellow musicians recognised the uncanny resemblance of his voice to that of the legendary Mukesh Ji, encouraging him to explore the latter’s timeless repertoire.
The response from audiences was overwhelming. What began as an experiment soon evolved into his musical identity, with Ashok Kumar dedicating himself to preserving and presenting Mukesh’s immortal songs. Over the years, he became a familiar and much-loved figure at cultural programmes and musical evenings across the Islands, eventually earning the affectionate sobriquet, “Andaman’s Voice of Mukesh.”
Among the songs that became inseparable from his identity were Mukesh’s immortal classics, including Jaane Kahan Gaye Woh Din, Kahin Door Jab Din Dhal Jaye, Kisi Ki Muskurahaton Pe Ho Nisar and Jeena Yahan Marna Yahan. Audiences eagerly awaited these melodies whenever he took the stage. Yet, despite becoming synonymous with Mukesh Ji’s songs, Ashok Kumar never lost his admiration for Kishore Kumar. During concerts, he would often encourage fellow singers specialising in Kishore’s repertoire to perform favourites such as Aadmi Jo Kehta Hai and Kya Nazare, Kya Sitare, reflecting the deep respect he continued to hold for the singer who first inspired his passion for music.
The immense affection he inspired was evident on 20 June 2026, when fellow artistes, music lovers and admirers gathered at Dr. B. R. Ambedkar Auditorium, Sri Vijaya Puram, for a grand musical tribute in his memory. The evening resonated with Mukesh Ji’s timeless melodies and several songs that had become closely associated with Ashok Kumar’s own remarkable musical journey, making it an emotional celebration of his life and contribution to the Islands’ cultural heritage.
Penning this tribute carries yet another profound significance. Mukesh Ji’s birth anniversary falls just two days after Ashok Kumar’s birthday, on 22 July. This touching coincidence beautifully links the devoted admirer with the legendary singer who inspired the defining chapter of his musical journey. As one remembrance flows into the other, music lovers are reminded of a bond forged through admiration, devotion and timeless melodies.
Although Ashok Kumar bid farewell to this world on 11 April 2026, his voice continues to resonate in the hearts of those who heard him sing. His musical legacy lives on through the timeless songs he so lovingly rendered and through the inspiration he continues to offer lovers of classic Hindi film music.
On this solemn occasion of his first heavenly birthday, the founder of ‘Indradhanush Sangeet Sangatthan’ and ‘The Harmony’ of Jhumurr Socio-Cultural Society, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, join his family, fellow artistes, friends and innumerable admirers in paying reverent homage to a cherished artiste of the Islands. Though his voice has fallen silent, Ashok Kumar will forever be remembered as the ‘Voice That Time Cannot Silence’—a cherished musical son of the Andaman & Nicobar Islands whose melodies and legacy will forever remain an enduring part of the Islands’ rich cultural heritage. (The author is a well-known singer-cum-music analyst of the Islands.)