Undoubtedly one of the most beloved artists of all time Kishore Kumar was a multifaceted artist who was an actor, comedian, singer, musician, and filmmaker. He won eight Filmfare Awards for Best Male Playback Singer out of 28 nominations.
Early Life and Career
Kishore Kumar wasbBorn as Abhas Kumar Ganguly on August 4, 1929, in Khandwa, Madhya Pradesh. He grew up in a family rich in cultural heritage. His father, Kunjalal Ganguly, was a lawyer, and his mother, Gouri Devi, came from a wealthy Bengali family. Kishore’s brother Ashok Kumar was a legendary actor. His unique voice and style revolutionised playback singing in Indian cinema. He was not just a singer; his talents spanned acting, composing, lyric writing, directing, and producing.
Kishore Da, as he was affectionately known, began his career in 1946 with the film “Shikari,” but his heart always lay in playback singing. However, it was “Andolan (1951)” that catapulted him to stardom, establishing him as a prominent figure in the film industry.
Kishore Kumar’s acting prowess shone through in various genres, but it was his comic timing and expressive antics that won the hearts of audiences. His roles in “Naukri (1954)” and “Musafir (1957),” both directed by eminent filmmakers, showcased his ability to portray the struggles of the common man with a touch of humour and pathos.
The late 1950s to the mid-1960s was the golden period of his acting career. He produced the comedy “Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi (1958),” starring himself, Ashok Kumar, Anoop Kumar and Madhubala. In the film he sang “Babu Samjho Ishare,” “Haal Kaisa Hai Janab Ka,” and “Ek Ladki Bheegi Bhaagi Si.” His next was “Jhumroo (1961),” and “Half Ticket (1962),” both with Madhubala. He sang “Koi Humdum Na Raha” “Main Hoon Jhum Jhum Jhum Jhumroo” in Jhumroo and “Aake Seedhi Lage Dil Pe Jaise” “Chand Raat Tum Ho Saath” in Half Ticket.
The Actor Par Excellence
His films “Pyar Kiye Jaa (1966),” and “Sadhu Aur Shaitaan (1968)” are still remembered for their comedic brilliance. Perhaps one of his most memorable roles came in in Mehmood’s “Padosan (1968).” In the film, Kishore Kumar portrayed Vidyapati, a music teacher who helps his simpleton friend woo his love interest. The film has iconic songs “Ek Chatur Naar,” “Mere Samne wali Khidki,” and “Meri Pyari Bindu.” Some of his other notable films include Shehnai (1947), Tamasha (1952), Ladki (1953), Adhikar (1954), Dhobi Doctor (1954), Ilzaam (1954), Bhai-Bhai (1956), Dhake Ki Malmal (1956), Mem Sahib (1956), New Delhi (1956), Miss Mary (1957), Dilli Ka Thug (1958), Shararat (1958), Hain Bombay To Goa (1972), and many more.
In the 60s he mostlyt acted in his own prductions. In 1964 he produced and directed Door Gagan Ki Chhaon Mein, starring Kishore Kumar, Supriya Devi and Amit Kumar. He also composed the music of the film. The film had a rare song which was written, composed and sung by Kishore Kumar. The song was “Aa Chalke Tujhe.” The film also had songs like “Jin Raaton Ki Bhor” “Koi Lauta De Mere” and “Door Gagan Ki Chhaon Mein” among others.
His other films include Ganga Ki Lahren (1964), Hum Sab Ustad Hain (1965), Door Ka Raahi (1971), Zameen Aasman (1972), Badhti Ka Naam Dadhi (1974), Shabhash Daddy (1979) and many more.
Kishore Kumar The Singer
Kisore’s first song as a playback singer, was “Baanka Sipahiya Ghar Jaye Ho (Eight Days),” under S. D. Burman. His breakthrough in playback singing came with the song “Marne ki duayen kyon mangu” for the film “Ziddi” in 1948. He followed it with songs like “Mere Ghar Aage Hain Do Do Galiyan (RimJhim),” “Kahan Chale Sarkar Kaho Ji Tum (Hamara Ghar),” “Aati Hai Yaad Humko January February (Muqaddar),” “Ek Hum Aur Doosre Tum Teesra Koi Nahi (Pyar),” “Haay Dil Gaya Dil Gaya (Ada),” ” Qusoor Aapka Huzoor Aapka (Bahar),” “Dekho Dekho Ji Kuchh Bhi Kar Lo (Naujwan),” ” De Bhi Chuke Hum Dil Nazrana Dil Ka (Jaal),” and many more.
Although Kishore Kumar was not the first choice of music directors in the 50s and early 60s as he was more focused on his acting career, he continue to sing many iconic songs which include “Din Hai Suhana Aaj Pehli Tarikh Hai (Pehli Tarikh),” “Dukhi Man Mere Sun Mera Kehna (Funtoosh),” “Eeana Meena Dika (Aasha),” “C A T Cat Cat Maane Billi,” “Yeh Raaten Yeh Mausam Nadi Ka Kinara,” (Dilli ka Thug), and “Mere Mehboob Qayamat Hogi (Mr. X in Bombay),” among others.
He songs for Dev Anand under SD Burman were espacially notable. For him he sang “Jeevan Ke Safar Mein Raahi (Munim Ji),” “Chhod Do Aanchal Zamana Kya Kahega,” “Maana Janaab Ne Pukara Nahin,” (Paying Guest), “Hum Hain Raahi Pyar Ke (Nau Do Gyarah),” “Gaata Rahe Mera Dil (Guide),” “Arre Yaar Meri Tum Bhi Ho Ghazab,” “Khwab Ho Tum Ya Koyi Haqeeqat,” (Teen Devian), “Yeh Dil Na Hota Bechara (Jewel Thief),” among others.
The Golden Period
In 1969, Kumar sang three songs in Shakti Samanta’s Aradhana under SD Burman. The song were “Mere Sapnon Ki Rani,” “Kora Kagaj Tha Ye Man Mera,” and “Roop Tera Mastana.” The film went on to become a turning point for Rajesh Khanna and Kishore Kumar. For the next decade and a half he went on to rule the playback scene. In this period, He sang 245 songs for Rajesh Khanna, 202 for Jeetendra, 119 for Dev Anand and 131 for Amitabh Bachchan.
His versatility was evident in the range of genres he sang in, from the soulful “O Mere Dil Ke Chain” to the peppy “Pal Bhar Ke Liye Koi,” and his ability to yodel, as heard in “Chala Jata Hoon.”
Some of his iconic songs include “Mere Naseeb Mein Ae Dost (Do Raste),” “Woh Sham Kuch Ajeeb Thi (Khamoshi),” “Phoolon Ke Rang Se,” “Shokhiyon Mein Ghola Jaaye” (Prem Pujari), “Sama Hai Suhana Suhana (Ghar Ghar Ki Kahani),” “Mere Dil Mein Aaj Kya Hai (Daag),” “Aaj Madhosh Hua Jaye Re,” “Khilte Hain Gul ahan,” “O Meri Sharmilee” (Sharmilee), “Jeevan Ki Bagiya Mehkegi (Tere Mere Sapne),” “Yeh Shaam Mastaani” and “Yeh Jo Mohabbat Hai” (Kati Patang), “Raat Kali Ek Khwab Mein Aayi” (Buddha Mil Gaya) “Chingari Koi Bhadke,” “Kuch To Log Kahenge” (Amar Prem), “Meet Na Mila (Abhimaan),” “Bahut Door Mujhe (Heera Panna),” “Zindagi Ke Safar Me Guzar Jaate Hain Jo Makam” (Aap Ki Kasam), “O Maajhi Re (Khushboo), and “Mere Naina Saawan Bhadon (Mehbooba).” “Aane Wala Pal (Golmaal),” “Rimjhim Gire Sawan (Manzil),” “Humein Tum Se Pyaar Kitna (Kudrat), “Hume Aur Jeene Ki Chahat Na Hoti (Agar Tume Na Hote),” and many more.
Personal Life
Kishore Kumar married four times, each relationship reflecting the different stages of his life and career. His first marriage was to Ruma Guha Thakurta, a Bengali singer and actress, in 1950. They had a son named Amit Kumar, who would also go on to become a successful playback singer. The couple parted ways in 1958.
His second marriage was to the iconic actress Madhubala, a union that was both celebrated and mired in controversy. Despite the challenges, their love story remains one of the most talked-about. Madhubala died after a long ilness in 1969.
Kishore Kumar married Yogeeta Bali in 1976. The couple separated in 1978. His final marriage was to Leena Chandavarkar in 1980, which lasted until his death in 1987.
Kishore Kumar’s legacy continues to live on through his songs, which are still cherished by millions. His death on October 13, 1987, left a void in the Indian music industry that remains to this day. His home in Khandwa has become a place of pilgrimage for his fans, and his songs continue to resonate with the young and old alike.
Kishore Kumar on IMDB
