Showing posts with label kishore kumar. Show all posts

Wednesday 3 July 2019

Amit Kumar,- The Tree that grew under a huge Banyan Tree

Amit Kumar ( 3rd July 1953),son of the great Kishore Kumar like his father a versatile man.He is a living document of Hindi film music of nearly four decades. He has his own style of singing,he never tried to imitate his father.
With a breezy and refreshing style of his own, Amit could never escape being compared with his father: that's not unusual for any celebrity child. But Amit handled it with élan. He was never intimidated by him. He was an extremely talented musician, but he groomed him. He was the one who taught him how to hold the microphone. He showed him the way;He learnt how to walk much later,Amit remembers warmly. “He was the greatest part of my life. I, as a son who loved him very dearly, studied him closely for 35 years,” he adds. “Under a huge banyan tree, it's a struggle for anything else to grow. I never sounded like my father and I couldn't have. We are two different musical minds.”
Like his father, Amit started singing from an early age and he used to sing at Durga Pooja festivals in Calcutta. At one such function arranged by a Bengali actor named Uttam Kumar, the audience continued requesting encores. While his mother complained that he was singing "filmy" songs, his father decided to bring him to Bombay.
Music Director R D Burman took him the 1976 film Balika Badha, the song"Bade Achchhe Lagte Hain", by which he attained national fame.
His duets with his father, such as "Haseeno Ke Chakkar Mein" from Deewangee in 1976, "Nazar Lage Na Saathiyo" from Des Pardes in 1978 and "Sun Chache Bol" from Badthi Ka Naam Dadhi in 1974 became popular.
He sang in various films, including Aandhi, Aap Ke Deewane, Khatta Meetha, Gol Maal, Des Pardes, Ganga Ki Saugandh, Deewanagi (1976), Duniya Meri Jeb Mein, Parvarish, Humare Tumhare (1979) and Baton Baton Mein. The duets he sang with Lata Mangeshkar and Asha Bhosle became famous in this period.
He was at his peak in the 1980s when he gave many hits. In 1980, Amit Kumar sang "Laila o Laila" for Qurbani. This song was named the sixth most-popular film song of 1980 by Binaca Geetmala.Then Amit sang all the songs for the 1981 film Love Story and won a Filmfare Award for the duet "Yaad Aa Rahi Hai" with Mangeshkar.
He became the voice of Kumar Gaurav in the 1980s and their combination gave many hit songs from films such as Romance (1983), Teri Kasam, Lovers (1983), All-rounder and a telefilm -Janam.
Amit Kumar sang for almost all music directors and actors in the 1980s, and was the second-most preferred male playback singer in Hindi films, after his father Kishore Kumar. Among music directors, Amit Kumar was used maximum by R D Burman from 1975 to 1994 and by Bappi Lahirifrom 1983 to 1995.In fact after the death of R D he lost interest in singing in Bollywood. He withdrew himself from the film industry. Kumar started undertaking more live stage performances in various parts of the world since 1996.
Amit Kumar acted in several films directed by and starring his father, which were Door Gagan Ki Chhaon Mein (1964), Door Ka Raahi (1971), Badhti Ka Naam Dadhi (1974), Shabhash Daddy (1979) and Chalti Ka Naam Zindagi (1982). In 1989, he made his last film appearance in his father's incomplete film Mamta Ki Chhaon Mein, which starred himself, his stepmother Leena Chandavarkar and Rajesh Khanna. After his father's death in 1987, he took over as director and completed the film for release in 1989. In his long career in film he acted in a Bengali film namely "Gayak". In this film the name of his character was Amit and it was of a struggling singer. He sang a number of songs for this film under the direction of Rabin Banerjee.

Song of Balika Badhu 1976

Song of Deewangee 1976,

Song of Des Pardes1978,

Song of Qurbani 1980

Song of Love Story 1981

Thursday 20 June 2019

Roop Tera Mastana - The Song that completes 50 Years

The song Roop Tera Mastana burnt up Indian film screens on September 27, 1969, redefining the depiction of sensuality in a Hindi film song. The song was sung by Kishore Kumar and picturised on back ground on Sharmila Tagore and not an established hero Rajesh Khanna
The song broke new ground by being shot in one take. The camera placed on a trolley circles the couple, as they go round the fireplace, The shot lends a breathless feel to the sequence, mirroring the emotions of the couple as they struggle to come to terms with their longing.
The situation was that the hero and the heroine caught in a rainstorm and have to take shelter in a cabin. Hero keeps his wet, but unbuttoned, shirt on, while heroine changes into a towel — a really long, bright orange towel — that is wrapped around her.
The scene makes the couple’s sexual desire apparent, and it is after this song that heroine finds out she is pregnant — a revelation that sets the course for the tragic turn her life takes.
There are countless Hindi songs where sex is implied through shots of birds, bees, flowers, fire, waves or lightning but this song was different. The eroticism in the song lies in the possibility of sex rather than the sexual act itself.
The beauty of this song is its composition,musical rise and fall in each of the stanzas operates as a musical metaphor of sexual tension”. The way Kishore Kumar sings the song mirrors this as well. Soft, caressing notes, almost a whisper, lead to a full-throated climax.

Sunday 24 February 2019

Gems of Kishore Kumar under Laxmikant Pyarelal

Kishore Kumar,s Second Inning started with Aradhana in 1969 but before that, he gave great songs under Laxmikant Pyarelal. They had a great rapport with Kishore Kumar. Kishore Kumar sang the most songs (402) for L-P among all male singers, followed by Rafi (about 365 songs). First time Kishore sang for them was in Mr X in Bombay(1964), all the songs were hit. The next film Kishore did for L P was
HUM SAB USTAD HAI(1965).In this Blog I am taking some of the great songs by Kishore Kumar under the composition of L P
Laxmikant Pyarelal worked as assistants of S.D Burman and Kalyananji Anandji. Many say, Pyarelal, the son of trumpet player"Ramprasad Sharma" is best arranger and violinist of Zubin Mehta's calibre. They played in the orchestra of Husnalal Bhagatram first commercially successful duo of Bollywood. However, I must mention that the duo has given some really extraordinary compositions for Kishore which even excel "Dada Burman" and Shankar Jaikishan scores.

Pyarelal Ji speaking about Kishore Kumar

Mere Mehboob kayamat hogi

Song from Mr X in Bombay 1964

Ajanabee tum jane pahchane

Song from Hum Sab Ustad Hain 1965

Sultana Sultana Tu Na Ghabrana

Song from Shriman Fantoosh 1965

Khijan ke phhol pe aati kabhi bahar nahi

Song from Do Raste 1969

Accha To Hum Chalate Hai

Song from Aan Milo Sajna 1970

Waada Tera Waada

Song from Dushman 1971

Yah jeevan Hai

Song from Piya Ka Ghar 1972

Mere Dilme Aaj Kya Hai

Song from Daag 1973

Ruk Jana Nahi

Song from Imtihaan 1974

Gadi Bula Rahi Hai

Song from Dost 1974

Aate Jate Khoobsurat Awara

Song from Anurodh 1977

Om Shanti Om

Song from Karz 1980

zindagi ki yahi reet hai

Song from Mr India 1987

Saturday 29 December 2018

The Meteoric Rise of Rajesh Khanna

There has been no other star in the film industry who saw such a meteoric rise within such a short span of time. He starred in 15 consecutive solos hit films from 1969 to 1971, still an unbroken record. He was the first Hindi actor whose films ran to full houses for months on end in non-Hindi speaking areas.
He had substance as well as charisma. The innocence and freshness we can see in his performances, that vulnerable, lost look-all created a persona that gave joy to hearts and romance that made hearts skip a beat.

Rajesh Khanna (29 December 1942 – 18 July 2012) made his debut in 1966 with Aakhri Khat. During his career, he appeared in more than 168 feature films. It was the 1969 film Aradhana, he rose to "instant national fame" and film critics referred to him as the first superstar of India. In 1971, he acted in Haathi Mere Saathi, which became that year's highest-grossing film and the biggest grosser ever till then. He had all the films hits except Badnam Farishte in 1971 that was the first film flopped at the box office since his consecutive 17 hits from 1969.
.During the peak of his career he would be mobbed during public appearances. Fans kissed his car, which would be covered with lipstick marks, and lined the road, cheering and chanting his name. Female fans sent him letters written in their blood.
Music remained one of the biggest attractions of all Rajesh Khanna films throughout his career. His films were always known for the music with chartbuster soundtracks. The reason for this was that Khanna used to personally sit in music sessions with music directors such as Kalyanji Anandji, R. D. Burman, Shankar Jaikishen, Lakshmikant Pyarelal, S.D. Burman, Bappi Lahiri and select tunes for duets and solo songs in his films. He used to be personally present for the recording of the solo songs to be picturised on him.
Rajesh Khanna was indeed a Superstar, but we’re sure he wouldn’t have been the same without Kishore Kumar. Kishore Kumar who usually sang for Dev Anand and for himself in the films took the permission from Dev Anand to sing for Rajesh Khanna in Aradhana songs. It was the music of Aradhana that created two sensations in Bollywood one was Rajesh Khanna and the other was Kishore Kumar.

'Rajesh Khanna once in an interview said "Kishore Kumar was my soul and I was his body," Along with RD Burman, Kishore Kumar and Rajesh Khanna churned out one hit after the other. ‘Kati Patang’ released in 1970 was this trio’s first film together. Songs like ‘Yeh Shaam Mastani’ and ‘Yeh Jo Mohabbat Hai’ hit the bull’s eye. Kishore Kumar's songs can be called a key reason of many Rajesh Khanna’s films. 'Aap Ki Kasam', 'Amar Prem', 'Mere Jeevan Saathi', the list of their successful films together is endless. Listen to the best songs of the duo here

Song of Aradhana 1969

Song of Sachaa Jhutha 1970

Song of Kati Patang 1970

Song of Amar Prem 1972

Song of Mere Jeevan Saathi 1972

Song of Aap Ki Kasam 1974

Song of Mehbooba 1976

Song of Agar Tum Na Hote 1983

Tuesday 4 December 2018

50 Years of Padosan (1968)

The title “Padosan” brings a smile to every face. Produced by Mahmood and N.C. Sippy, the film is one of the best entertainers of all times. The film that immortalises Kishore Kumar and Mehmood as master entertainers. The film is also known for the behind-the-scenes rivalry in the song, “Ek Chatur Naar”, between Manna Dey and Kishore Kumar. The film was released on 29 th Nov 1968 and was a super hit. It is among the Top 50 classics of Hindi Cinema.
The film was based on a Bengali story, ‘Pasher bari' (next-door neighbour) written by Arun Chowdhury and adapted in Bengali in 1952, in Telugu as “Pakkinti Ammayi” in 1953, in Tamil as “Adutta Veetu Penn” in 1960 and again in Telugu as “Pakkinti Ammayi” in 1981.
The film was Directed by Jyoti Swaroop. The movie stars Sunil Dutt and Saira Banu in lead roles. Kishore Kumar, Mukri, Raj Kishore and Keshto Mukherjee played the supporting roles. Mehmood as the South Indian musician and rival to Sunil Dutt is among the highlights of the film. It was considered one of the best comedy movies made in Hindi film history. Mehmood's portrayal of a south Indian music teacher was one of his noted performances and a key highlight of the film. Kishore Kumar's character of a comical theatre director was also well received.
The music of the film was composed by Rahul Dev Burman and the lyrics were written by Rajendra Krishan.R.D. Burman's hit music gave us all-time great songs like “Mere Samne Wali Khidki Mein” (Kishore Kumar) and “Ek Chatur Naar Karke Singaar” (Manna Dey and Kishore Kumar) not to forget “Main Chali Main Chali”, “Sharm Aati Hai Magar”, “Bhai Batur” (all Lata Mangeshkar), “Bindu Re Bindu” and “Kahna Hai Tumse Ye Pahli Baar” (both Kishore Kumar).

Padosan is a story of a simpleton named Bhola (Sunil Dutt) who falls in love with his neighbour Bindu (Saira Banu). To impress her he wants to sing to her. However, he isn't a good singer and so seeks the help of his friend, Guru (Kishore Kumar). Guru, a famous singer, agrees to help his friend.

To impress Bindu, Guru sings in the background and Bhola mouths the words. Bindu is charmed by what she thinks is Bhola's singing. They become friends and fall in love. Bindu has a music teacher named Master Pillai/Masterji (Mehmood) who is also in love with her and keeps proposing to her. Bindu loves Bhola and hence refuses Masterji.

One day Bindu finds out about Bhola's lie. She decides to marry Masterji instead. Bhola thinks of a way to get Bindu back. So on the wedding day, Guru gets an idea. He makes Bhola pretend to have committed suicide.
Guru goes and tells the news to Bindu. She is shocked. She leaves her wedding altar and runs to Bhola. She reads the note and starts to repent. Bindu then tries to wake Bhola up. Bhola wakes up and Bindu is delighted. She tells Masterji that she wants to marry Bhola and he agrees. Bhola and Bindu get married.
With brilliant performances and enduring songs, “Padosan” can be watched any number of times.

Song of Padosan 1968

Thursday 1 November 2018

The Song "Gata Rahe Mera Dil" was the Last Addition in Guide

You would be surprised to know that this super hit song was originally not in the film. Vijay Anand in an interview said that the song Gata Rahe Mera Dil was inserted later, like a patchwork. We shot that song after the film was completed and then it was added. He said he along with Dev Anand thought that there was no song of Kishore Kumar, in fact, Kishore had not sung for Dev since Paying Guest in 1957.
It happened just like that. Firstly, Kishore Kumar was preoccupied with Madhubala’s health. He was not being able to devote time to rehearsals and recordings. And then with Rafi Sahab, their association was working perfectly. But Dev Bhai was missing Kishore for a long time and so he went to meet him. And then caught hold of him and sort of dragged him to Burman Dada’s home.
The moment he saw Kishore he said in Bengali, ‘why didn’t you come all these days’ and hugged him. They loved each other a lot. Burman Dada then said let us start the rehearsal, we are going to record a song.
That time S D Burman was composing a song for Teen Deviyan and the song was Khwab Ho Tum Ya Koi Haqeeqat. This song was the first song Kishore recorded for Dev Bhai after a long hiatus under Burman Dada’s music direction. Kishore sang it so wonderfully, he won everyone’s heart. This is exactly what all of us, including Dev Bhai, was missing. Burman Dada kissed his (Kishore’s) head. He was delighted.
Guide was completed and about to release earlier than Teen Deviyan because there was some work still left with the latter. Besides, Teen Deviyan was being made in black and white and on a much smaller canvas. Guide had been mounted on a large scale and it was in colour and thus it was a much-awaited film. So why not include a song by Kishore in Guide.
So immediately Shailendra was called to write a romantic song thus this song was recorded in a record time. The song was a very big hit. It was the only song of Kishore Kumar in the film.

Song of Guide 1965

Saturday 13 October 2018

Kishore Da was the natural voice of Dev Saab.

In his autobiography, ‘Romancing With Life’, Dev Anand says “Ziddi was a milestone in my career, since it was the first film It brought me very close to Ashok Kumar and his youngest brother, Kishore Kumar, who had just arrived from his hometown Khandwa, clad in his kurta-pajamas, with a phenomenal singing voice that years later was going to hypnotize the world with its resonance. The very first song of his career was sung by me on screen in Ziddi 1948
The song became a hit, and people started associating Kishore’s voice with mine, and his playback singing with my acting on screen. We complemented each other. He further says "Before recording, he used to ask me if I want him to sing in any particular way to match my mannerisms. So I used to tell him to keep me in mind while singing and I used to perform on his style, great synchronisation. I truly miss him,”
In the Fifties and the Sixties Kishore Kumar gave playback for Dev Anand in the following prominent movies: Baazi (1951); Jaal (1952); Munimji (1955); Funtoosh (1956); Nau Do Gyarah (1957); Paying Guest (1957); Guide, Teen Deviyaan (1965); Jewel Thief (1967);Mahal (1969) and Johnny Mera Naam(1971)
During this period he sang only for himself and Dev Saab there are few exceptions when he sang for other actors. It is said when he was asked to sing few songs for Rajesh Khanna in Aradhana (1969), he approached Dev Anand for his permission to sing for Rajesh Khanna. After this, his voice became the voice of Rajesh Khanna too.
In this Blog I am selecting the 15 Solo songs of Kishore Kumar sung for Dev Anand.