His father was a partner in the Bombay Talkies and Filmistan studio. At the behest of his father, he joined the NDA, Dehradun. But music was his first love. He left NDA to join the All India Radio, Lucknow.  He came in contact with ghazal singers and classical luminaries like Begum Akhtar, Talat Mahmood, Ustad Ali Akbar Khan and Ustad Faiyyaz Khan. Their influence is reflected in his compositions and creations, especially his ghazals.

His long and fruitful association with Lata Mangeshkar began with film Ada in 1951. The Lata- Madan duo gave the Hindi film industry some of the most memorable songs in the 50s, 60s and the 70s.  Film Bhai Bhai(1956) is was his first major hit but the music of films Dekh Kabira Roya (1957) and Adalat (1958) proved that Madan Mohan was a class apart.

 

 

 

It is ironic that during his lifetime, Madan Mohan did not get as much recognition and praise as he expected (and he well deserved). He started drinking heavily and died of some liver ailment on July14, 1975. His musical compositions are a class apart and prove that Madan Mohan was an exceptionally gifted and talented composer. His songs would keep alive his memory in the minds and heart of lover of his music.