Singer Mahendra Kapoor, who gave us hit numbers like Chalo ek baar chalo (Gumrah), Neele gagan ke taale (Humraaz) and many such melodious songs, passed away on Saturday. Kapoor, who was suffering from kidney problems, died in his sleep, sources close to the family said. He was 74 years old. He is survived by his wife, three daughters and a son.

Kapoor got his first break in V Shantaram’s Navrang in 1958 and worked nearly for the next five decades. A favourite with the BR banner, he also sang the title song of the hit TV show Mahabharat.

He sang more than 25,000 songs in various languages. The Maharashtra Government had recently honoured him with Lata Mangeshkar Award for his contribution in playback singing.