Thursday, 4 August 2016

Remembering Kishore Kumar on his 87th Birth Anniversary

Kishore Kumar (4 August 1929 – 13 October 1987) Born as Abhas Kumar Ganguly on 4th August, 1929, this great singer known as Kishore Kumar, affectionately called Kishore Da, was one of those very few singers who took risks and experimented with different styles of music.He was a Multitalented Personality.He as all in one a playback singer, actor, lyricist, composer, producer, director, and screenwriter.

Kishore Kumar in his childhood

He was born in a small place known as Khandwa located in the state of Madhya Pradesh. He was born in a typical Bengali family and was the youngest among his siblings. He had two elder brothers (Ashok Kumar and Anoop Kumar) and a sister (Sati Devi). His father Kunjilal Ganguly was a lawyer by profession.
He was a fan of K L Sehgal whom he considered his Guru and tried to emulate his style of singing. Once, the great S.D Burman had come to Ashok Kumar's house to meet up when he heard Kishore singing. He actually thought it was K.L. Saigal singing and inquired if he was there too! When he came to know that it was Kishore singing, he truly appreciated and encouraged the young lad to continue refining his voice but at the same time, develop a style of his own.

.Kishore Kumar started his cinema career as a chorus singer at Bombay Talkies, where his brother worked. Kishore's first film appearance was in Shikari (1946), in which his brother Ashok played the lead role.A reluctant actor who went on to act in an unbelievable 102 films Music director Khemchand Prakash gave Kumar a chance to sing "Marne ki duayen kyon mangu" for the film Ziddi (1948). In fact in this movie he sang a duet with lata mangeshkar,that as their first duet together.After this, Kumar was offered many other assignments, but he was not very serious about a film career. In 1949, he settled in Mumbai. Kishore Kumar played the hero in the Bombay Talkies film Andolan (1951), directed by Phani Majumdar. Although he got some acting assignments with the help of his brother, he was more interested in becoming a singer. Ashok wanted Kumar to be an actor like him.

The First song of Kishore Kumar in Ziddi 1948

The first Duet with Lata in Ziddi

Initially Kishore kumar had the influence of K L Sehgal,his earlier songs were.in his style but later on he changed that style and developed his own style.It was S D Burman who gave him a chance to sing in his own style,He made his voice to be Dev Anand's voice,Munimji's(1954) song "Jeevan Ke Safar Mein Raahi"became a hit,latter on Songs of Taxi Driver(1954),House No 44(1955),Funtoosh(1955),Nau Do Gyaraha(1957) and Paying Guest(1958) established Kishore Kumar

song from Munimji

song from Nau Do Gyaraha

In 1958 Kishore started his own production,Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi was the first movie which had the music of S D Burman was released.The film and its music became hit the songs"Ek Ladki Bhigi Bhagi Si',Haal Kaisa Hai Janaab Ka","Paanch Rupaiya Baara Aana" were very poular.

In 1961 Kishore Kumar produced, directed, acted and composed the music for Jhumroo (1961), and wrote the lyrics for the film's title song, "Main Hoon Jhumroo". Later, he produced and directed Door Gagan Ki Chhaon Mein (1964). He wrote the script and composed music for the film, which is about the relationship between a father (Kishore Kumar) and his deaf and mute son (played by his real-life son (Amit Kumar)

Kishore Kumar was by no means limited to the Burman clan of music directors. He created very notable songs with most of the top ranking music directors of the period. These include such immortal hits as Salil Chowdhuri's Chhota Sa Ghar Hoga ("Naukari" - 1954), C. Ramchandra's Eena Meena Deeka ("Aasha" - 1957), Shankar - Jaikishan'sNakhrewaali ("New Delhi" - 1956) or Ravi's C.A.T. Cat Maane Billi ("Dilli ka Thug" - 1958).

Eena Meena Deeka from Asha(1957)

The 1960s were a mixed period for Kishore Kumar. On the bright side, there were a number of hit songs from this period. Some examples are Gaata Rahe Mera Dil from "Guide" (1964), and Yeh Dil Na Hota Bechara from "Jewel Thief" (1967). However he also had his problems. For instance there was the much publicised problems with the Indian government over income tax evasion. He began to acquire a reputation of being unreliable; he frequently used to come late for recordings and occasionally would not show up at all. Furthermore many of is movies flopped.

In the late 1960s, Rahul Dev Burman worked with Kishore Kumar on the soundtrack of the film Padosan (1968), in which Kumar sang "Mere Saamne Wali Khidki Mein" and "Kehna Hai." Padosan was a comedy in which Kumar as a dramatist-musician, Mehmood as a Carnatic music and dance teacher, and Sunil Dutt as a simpleton named Bhola. Kumar's character was inspired by his uncle, Dhananjay Bannerjee, a classical singer. The highlight of the film was a musical, comical duel between Kishore Kumar-Sunil Dutt and Mehmood: "Ek Chatur Nar Karke Singaar."

In 1969, Shakti Samanta produced and directed Aradhana. He sang three songs in the film; "Meri Sapnon Ki Rani" , "Roop Tera Mastana".and"Kora Kagaz Tha Yeh Man Mera" Shakti Samanta suggested that Kumar sing the other songs. When the film was released, these songs established him as a leading Bollywood playback singer.for years to come. Kishore Kumar won his first Filmfare award for"Roop Tera Mastana.

Mere Sapnon Ki Rani from Araadhana

While he remained the voice of Dev Anand till he lived but after Aradhana he became the voice of Rajesh Khanna.also.The Trio of Kishore, R D Burman and Rajesh Khanna gave many memorable songs.

song from amar prem

Latter on in mid 70s when Amitabh Bachhan became no1 he opted for Kishore's voice,for his songs.Kishore gave many hit songs for his films.There was a time when he was singing for almost all the heroes.

Apart from the Burmans, Kumar worked with other music directors. The composer duo Laxmikant-Pyarelal (L-P) composed many songs sung by him, including "Mere Mehboob Qayamat Hogi" from Mr. X In Bombay, "Mere Naseeb Mein Aye Dost" from Do Raaste, "Yeh Jeevan Hai" from Piya Ka Ghar, "Mere Dil Mein Aaj Kya Hai" from Daag, "Nahi Mai Nahi Dekh Sakta" from Majboor, "Mere diwanepan ki bhi" from Mehboob Ki Mehndi, "Naach Meri Bulbul" from Roti, "Chal Chal Mere Haathi" from Haathi Mere Saathi and "Tu Kitne Baras Ki" Om Shanti Om from Karz. L-P also worked with Kumar and Mohammed Rafi on duets for the films Dostana, Ram Balram and Deedaar-E-Yaar. L-P composed "I love you (Kaate Nahin Katate Yeh Din Yeh Raat)" from Mr. India in (1987), a duet with Kumar and Alisha Chinoy. Salil Chowdhury recorded songs like "Koi Hota Jisko Apna" from Mere Apne and "Gujar Gaye Din Din" from Annadata. Ravindra Jain recorded "Ghungroo Ki Tarah" and the duets "Le Jaayenge Le Jaayenge" from Chor Machaye Shor and "Tota Maina Ki Kahani" from Fakira.

Song from Mr X in Bombay

He was nominated for the Filmfare award 27 times, and won the coveted trophy eight times, thrice was lending voice to Amitabh Bachchan and twice to Rajesh Khanna. He never won an award as the voice of Dev Anand for whose playback he had got his first break, and was known as the voice of until the 1970s.

Kishore Kumar married four times. His first wife was Bengali singer and actress Ruma Guha Thakurta aka Ruma Ghosh. Their marriage lasted from 1950 to 1958. His second wife was actress Madhubala, who had worked with him on many films including his home production Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi (1958) and Jhumroo (1961). When Kumar proposed to her, Madhubala was sick and was planning to go to London for treatment. She had a ventricular septal defect (hole in the heart), and he was married to Ruma. After his divorce, the couple had a civil wedding in 1960 and Kishore Kumar converted to Islam and reportedly changed his name to Karim Abdul His parents refused to attend. The couple also had a Hindu ceremony to please Kumar's parents, but Madhubala was never truly accepted as his wife. Within a month of her wedding she moved back to her bungalow in Bandra because of tension in the Kumar household. They remained married but under great strain for the remainder of Madhubala's life. Their marriage ended with Madhubala's death on 23 February 1969.

Kumar's third marriage was to Yogeeta Bali, and lasted from 1976 to 4 August 1978. Kishore was married to Leena Chandavarkar from 1980 until his death. He had two sons,Amit Kumar with Ruma, and Sumit Kumar with Leena Chandavarkar

third marriage with Yogita Bali

with fourth wife Lina Chandavarkar

Kishore Kumar on Stage with his son Amit Kumar

In the mid-1980s, Kumar sang for Anil Kapoor in Kapoor's debut film as a leading man, Woh Saat Din and also recorded Mr. India. He sang a duet with Alka Yagnik, "Tumse Badhkar Duniya Mein Na Dekha" for Kaamchor in 1982 and recorded some songs for the film Saagar with R. D. Burman. By this time, Kumar had decided to retire and was planning to return to his birthplace Khandwa

On 13 October 1987—his brother Ashok's 76th birthday—he died of a heart attack in Mumbai at 4:45 pm. His body was taken to Khandwa for cremation. Kumar had recorded his last song, Guru Guru—a duet with Asha Bhosle for the film Waqt Ki Aawaz (1988) composed by Bappi Lahiri for Mithun Chakraborty and Sridevi—the day before he died.

The Last Song of Kishore

He is best remembered for his velvety voice but Bollywood singer Kishore Kumar was equally famous for his eccentricities.

RARE PICTURES

All the singing greats at the commencement of their professin – Kishore Kumar, Talat Mahmood, Mohd Rafi, Mukesh, Geeta Dutt, GM Durrani, Meena Kapoor, .