Remembering Kishoreda : A Legend

He was one of the most versatile and talented singers born in India.Inspite of not having any formal training in classical music he was very successful in the Indian Film Industry because of his voice and the ability to alter it according to the actor he was singing for.He was also one of those few singers who was adept at yodeling which he practised by listening to some records of Jimmie Rodgers.

His first song was “Marne Ki Duayen Kyun Mangun” for the film “Ziddi“. He also acted in some films the well known ones being ” Chalti ka naam Gaadi“, “Half Ticket“, ” Padosan“. He was the youngest of four siblings one of the being Ashok Kumar who was a well known actor.Music director S.D. Burman is credited with spotting Kishore Kumar’s talent as a singer. Some of their initial songs were ” Mana Janaab Ne Pukara Nahi” from “Paying Guest“, “Ek Ladki Bheegi Bhagi Si” from ” Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi“. The renowned singer Asha Bhosle has sung many duets with him.They include “Chod Do Anchal” from “Paying Guest“, “Ankhon Mein Kya Ji” from “Nau Do Gyarah“, “Haal Kaisa Hai Janaab Ka” and “Panch Rupaiya Baarah Aana” from “Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi“.

Kishore Kumar has sung for all leading actors in the 70s and 80s including Dev Anand,Sanjeev Kumar, Rajesh Khanna,Amitabh Bachchan, Dharmendra,Jeetendra,Shashi Kapoor,Rishi Kapoor,Mithun Chakraborty,Sanjay Dutt,Sunny Deol,Anil Kapoor and Jackie Shroff.

The Music Directors Kishore Kumar has worked with are ” S.D.Burman“,”R.D. Burman“, “C. Ramchandra“, “Shankar Jaikishen“, “Laxmikant-Pyarelal“,”Rajesh Roshan“,”Sapan Chakravarty” ,”Bappi Lahiri” and “Ravindra Jain“.He has sung any many Indian Languages : Hindi, Marathi, Bhojpuri, Bengali, Gujurati, Kannada,Assamese,Malayalam and Oriya.

Sadly he left this world all too soon at the age of 58.He is survived by 2 sons Amit Kumar and Sumit Kumar.It is not everyday that a singer like him is born.His songs will always remain in our heart.

Some of my favourites include:

	Song	Film
1	Phoolon Ke Rang Se	Prem Pujari
2	Aa Chal Ke Tujhe	Door Gagan Ki Chaon Mein
3	Mere Sapne Wali	Padosan
4	Ek Chatur Naar	Padosan
5	Ghunghroo Ki Tarah	Chor Machaye Shor
6	Mere Naina	Mehbooba
7	Pal Pal Dil Ke Paas	Blackmail
8	Chookar Mere Man Ko	Yaarana
	Tere Jaisa Yaar Kahan	Yaarana
9	Khaike Paan Benaraswala	Don
10	Meri Bheegi Bheegi Si	Aanamika
11	Zindagi Ka Safar	Safar
12	Tum Aagaye Ho	Aandhi
13	Mera Jeevan Kora Kaagaz	Kora Kaagaz
14	Ruk Jaana Nahi	Imtihaan
15	Bhool Gaya Sab Kuch	Julie
16	Chingari Koi Bhadke	Amar Prem
17	Mere Sapnon Ki Rani	Aaradhana
18	Tere Mere Milan Ki Yeh Raina	Abhimaan
19	Geet Gata Hoon Main	Lal Pathar
20	Koi Hota Jisko Apna	Mere Apne
21	Gata Rahe Mera Dil	Guide
22	Mere Mehboob Qayamat Hogi	Mr. X In Bombay
23	Yeh Shaam Mastani	Kati Patang
24	O Hansini	Zehreela Insaan
25	Chalte Chalte Mere Yeh Geet	Chalte Chalte
26	Rimjhim Gire Saawan	Manzil
27	Ek Ajnabi Haseena Se	Ajnabee
28	Aanewala Pal	Golmaal
29	Nadiya Se Dariya	Namak Haraam
30	O Mere Dil Ke Chain	Mere Jeevan Sathi
31	Chala Jaata Hoon	Mere Jeevan Sathi
32	Deewana Leke Aaya hai	Mere Jeevan Sathi
33	Ina Mina Dika	Asha
34	Yeh Dil Na Hota Bechara	Jewel Thief
35	Mana Janab Ne	Paying Guest
36	Aapki Ankhon Mein Kuch	Ghar
37	Yeh Raatein Yeh Mausam	Dilli Ka Thug
38	Who Shaam Kuch Ajeeb Thi	Khamoshi
39	Dekha Ek khwab To	Silsila
40	Neele Neele Ambar Par	Kalakaar
41	O Saathi Re	Muqaddar Ka Sikandar
42	Tum Bin Jaoon Kahan	Pyar Ka Mausam
43	Khilte Hain Gul Yahan	Sharmilee
44	Hum Bewafa	Shalimar
45	Kitne Bhi Tu Karle Sitam	Sanam Teri Kasam
46	Tera Mujhse Hai Pehle Ka	Aa Gale Lag Jaa
47	Jeevan Ke Din Chote Sahi	Bade Dilwale
48	Phoolon Ka Taaron Ka	Hare Rama Hare Krishna
49	Koi Humdum Na Raha	Jhumroo
50	Kiska Rasta Dekhe	Joshila
51	Jahan Teri Yeh Nazar Hai	Kaalia
52	Tum Saath Ho Jab Apne	Kaalia
53	Humein Tumse Pyar Kitna	Kudrat
54	Aapke Kamre Mein	Yaadon Ki Baarat
55	Lekar Hum	Yaadon Ki Baarat
56	Om Shanti Om	Karz
57	Manzilein Apni Jagah Hain	Sharabi
58	Humein Aur Jeene Ki	Agar Tum Na Hote
59	Yeh Duniyawale Poochenge	Mahal
60	Kya Mausam Hai	Doosra Aadmi