Tuesday 14 October 2008

Kishore Kumar - 21st Death Anniversary Tribute


Remembering Kishore Kumar

It's been 21 years since the legendary singer Kishore Kumar died of a severe heart attack. 13th of October 1987 was a very sad day for India, they had lost another great hindi singer for whom many fans worldwide admired so much. He was only 58 years old.
It's sad to read that Mukesh 1977, Mohd Rafi 1980, and just recently Mahendra Kapoor 2008 all died from a severe heart attack too.

Kishore Kumar was one of the greatest singers of yesteryears, he was a fine actor who also produced some films and even was a music director of some films. He has left a legacy for many generations to treasure

His birth name is Abhas Kumar Ganguly he was born on the 4th of August 1929 in the Khandwa town of Central Provinces and Berar, British India (which is now known as the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh). He was the younger brother of actor Ashok Kumar.

Kishore Kumar's first song was "Marne ki duayen kyon mangu" for the film Ziddi 1948. There were so many emerging singers of the late 40's and the 50's was always gonna be tough to establish your name at the top. Kishore Kumar sang the odd song here and there in the early years, mainly hits songs for Dev Anand, the vast majority of his songs throughout 50's and most 60's were for himself as it seemed he felt pressured into becoming an actor. He did comedy roles and sang mostly fun songs. but it was not enough to convince other music directors and actors to take him up. These were the days of mainly Mohd Rafi & Mukesh. Kishore Kumar continued in the 60's to act in comedy roles and sing for himself and the odd Dev Anand song when the opportunity came his way thanks to S D Burman.

He was married 4 times and has a famous son who also became a popular singer in the late 70's and throughout the 80's and early 90's. He was Amit Kumar.

It was about 1969 when Kishore Kumar started to sing more songs and it was also a time when actors like Dilip Kumar, Rajendra Kumar, Shammi Kapoor [even Dev Anand] who were all associated with Mohd Rafi and Raj Kapoor's loyalty with Mukesh was coming to an end of an era as age has to make way for new and upcoming actors.
Kishore Kumar stormed up the hindi charts when he became the new voice of young handsome Rajesh Khanna. Although it was Mohd Rafi who sang the very early Rajesh Khanna songs, there was something about the film Aradhana 1969 when music director S D Burman fell ill and his son R D Burman took up the role as MD, he called in Kishore Kumar to sing the remaining unsung songs instead of Mohd Rafi who had already sung 2 duets for the film. The 2 songs Kishore Kumar sang were "Mere Sapno Ki Rani" and "Roop Tera Mastana" which became very popular songs of 1969/1970. This was the big break Kishore needed and it helped him to become the dominant singer for the next 17 years

1970 a new decade and Kishore Kumar was singing more songs and hit songs they were. Other music Directors also started to give Kishore Kumar songs to sing as his voice became popular and his yodelling became a trademark which he did as early as the 50's. 1971 to 1976 mainly was flooded with Kishore Kumar songs, some fans might agree them were his best singing years. Kishore Kumar became the voice of Amitabh Bachchan too. The later part of the 70's was good to Kishore Kumar too, it was mainly dominated by himself and Mohd Rafi equally.
1980 onwards Kishore Kumar continued as a leading playback singer till the day he died.

Music Director R D Burman had a special relationship with Kishore Kumar for whom he gave majority of songs to.
Kishore Kumar was associated with many other famous music directors suchas Laxmikant Pyarelal, Kalyanji Anandji, Bappi Lahiri, Rajesh Roshan and S D Burman.

It is estimated that Kishore Kumar sang approx 3000 songs in various languages. About 2500 of them are for hindi films.
Kishore Kumar sang several 100 songs each with Lata Mangeshkar & Asha Bhonsle too

He went on to win 8 film fare awards for best singer
Year - Song - Film - Music director - Lyricist
1969 Roop tera mastaana - Aradhana - S D Burman - Anand Bakshi
1975 Dil aisa kisi ne - Amanush - Shyamal Mitra - Indeevar
1978 Khaike paan Banaraswaala - Don - Kalyanji Anandji - Anjaan
1980 Hazaar raahen - Thodisi Bewafaai - Khayyam - Gulzar
1982 Pag ghunghroo baandh - Namak Halaal - Bappi Lahiri - Anjaan
1983 Hamen aur jeene ki - Agar Tum Na Hote - R D Burman - Gulshan Bawra
1984 Manzilen apni jagah - Sharaabi - Bappi Lahiri - Anjaan
1985 Saagar Kinaare - Saagar - R D Burman - Javed Akhtar

He acted in about 80 films or more
He was music director of 10 films
He went on to produce and write 14 films
Kishore Kumar's songs will never be forgotten, there are so many hits and popular songs that we all sing or humm to ourselves. He sang many romantic songs, sad songs, bitter sweet songs, fun/comedy songs, disco songs, sharabi songs. He was the complete singer.
It is impossible to list all the songs Kishore Kumar sang, so what i done is compile a list of some of my favourites or big popular hits below from each year.
Nazrana 1987 - Main Tera Sheher Chorr - Laxmikant Pyarelal - Anand Bakshi
Saagar 1985 - Chehra Hai Ya Chand Khila - R D Burman - Javed Akhtar
Kalakaar 1984 - Neele Neele Ambar Par - Kalyanji Anandji - Indevaar
Nishaan 1983 - Laharon Ki Tarah Yaadein - Rajesh Roshan - Gulshan Bawra
Andha Kanoon 1982 - Yeh Andha Kanoon - Laxmikant Pyarelal - Anand Bakshi
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=bpFlYpn3EUE
Kudrat 1981 -Hume Tumse Pyar Kitna - R.D.Burman - Majrooh Sultanpuri
Karz 1980 - Om Shanti Om - - Laxmikant Pyarelal - Anand Bakshi
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=vMArGXvGNNc
Aur Kaun 1979 - Haan Peheli Baar - Bappi Lahiri - Amit Khanna
Muqaddar Ka Sikandar 1978 - O Saathi Re - Kalyanji Anandji - Anjaan
Dream Girl 1977 - Dream Girl - Laxmikant Pyarelal - Anand Bakshi
Do Anjaane 1976 - Luk Chup Jao Na - Kalyanji Anandji - Anjaan
Julie 1975 - Dil Kya Kare - - Rajesh Roshan - Anand Bakshi
Chalte Chalte 1974 - Chalte Chalte Mere Geet - Bappi Lahiri - Amit Khanna
Blackmail 1973 - Pal Pal Dil Ke Pass - - Kalyanji Anandji - Rajinder Krishan
Padosan 1968 - Mere Samne Wali Khidki Mein - R D Burman - Rajinder Krishan
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=S0WPSYFm7iE
Jewel Thief 1967 - Yeh Dil Na Hota Bechara - S.D.Burman - Majrooh Sultanpuri
Shreeman Funtoosh 1965- Yeh Dard Bhara Afsaana- Laxmikant Pyarelal- Anand Bakshi
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=09z6YzXS-hA
Mr. X In Bombay 1964 - Mere Meheboob Qayamat - Laxmikant Pyarelal - Anand Bakshi
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=Rfd4116vZ18
Man Mauji 1962 - Zaroorat Hai Zaroorat Hai - Madan Mohan - Rajinder Krishan
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=iz-Z7mgyDu8
Jhumroo 1961 -Koi Humdum Na Raha - Kishore Kumar - Majrooh Sultanpuri
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=q7cSFEgRTE8
Shararat 1959 - Hum Matwale Naujawan Shankar Jaikishan - Hasrat Jaipuri

Dilli Ka Thug 1958 - Hum Tho Mohabbat Karega - Ravi - Majrooh Sultanpuri
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=3-6AI-pbR8Q
Paying Guest 1957 - Mana Janab Ne Pukara Nahin - S.D.Burman - Majrooh Sultanpuri
Funtoosh 1956 - Dukhi Mann Mere - S.D.Burman - Sahir Ludhiyanvi
Munimji 1955 - Jeevan Ke Safar Me Rahi - S.D.Burman - Sahir Ludhianvi