Celebrating Kishore Kumar’s 95th Birthday: A Tribute to the Legendary Voice of Bollywood
As we honor Kishore Kumar on his 95th birthday, we celebrate a legend whose voice and artistry continue to inspire and enchant generations, reaffirming his place as an irreplaceable part of Bollywood’s golden era.
Today marks the 95th birth anniversary of Kishore Kumar, one of the most iconic and versatile playback singers in the history of Indian cinema. Born as Abhas Kumar Ganguly on August 4, 1929, in Khandwa, Madhya Pradesh, Kishore Kumar’s journey in Bollywood is nothing short of legendary. His voice, known for its unique texture and emotional depth, has left an indelible mark on the hearts of music lovers across generations.
Kishore Kumar hailed from a family with a strong artistic background. His elder brothers, Ashok Kumar and Anoop Kumar, were already established actors in the film industry. Inspired by their success, Kishore moved to Mumbai to pursue his own career in films. Initially, he aspired to become an actor, but destiny had other plans.
In 1946, Kishore Kumar made his acting debut in the film “Shikari,” but it was his singing talent that caught the industry’s attention. His voice was first noticed by the legendary composer S.D. Burman, who gave him his big break as a playback singer in the film “Ziddi” (1948). The song “Marne Ki Duayen Kyon Mangu” became a hit, marking the beginning of Kishore Kumar’s illustrious career as a singer.
Kishore Kumar’s versatility as a singer was unparalleled. He could effortlessly switch between various genres, from romantic ballads to peppy numbers, melancholic tunes to comedic songs. His ability to convey a wide range of emotions through his singing made him the preferred voice for many top actors of his time, including Dev Anand, Rajesh Khanna, Amitabh Bachchan, and Rishi Kapoor.
Some of his most memorable songs include:
- “Roop Tera Mastana” from Aradhana (1969)
- “Zindagi Ek Safar Hai Suhana” from Andaz (1971)
- “Mere Sapno Ki Rani” from Aradhana (1969)
- “Khaike Paan Banaraswala” from Don (1978)
- “Pal Pal Dil Ke Paas” from Blackmail (1973)
- “Humein Tumse Pyaar Kitna” from Kudrat (1981)
Kishore Kumar was not just a singer; he was a multifaceted artist. He was an accomplished actor, composer, lyricist, and filmmaker. His comic timing and unique acting style made him a beloved figure on the silver screen. Films like Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi (1958), Padosan (1968), and Half Ticket (1962) showcased his exceptional talent as an actor and comedian.
As a composer and lyricist, Kishore Kumar created music that was ahead of its time. His work in films like Door Gagan Ki Chhaon Mein (1964) and Jhumroo (1961) demonstrated his innovative approach to music and storytelling.
Kishore Kumar’s life was filled with fascinating anecdotes that highlighted his eccentric personality. In an interesting twist of fate, he was initially offered the role of superstar Rajesh Khanna in Hrishikesh Mukherjee’s 1971 film Anand. However, Kishore Kumar went bald to avoid the role. This intriguing behind-the-scenes revelation was brought to light by renowned poet-lyricist Gulzar in his memoir, Actually… I Met Them: A Memoir.
Gulzar, the celebrated writer behind the dialogues of Anand, provided a captivating glimpse into the pre-production phase of this iconic film. He revealed that just days before the shooting of Anand was set to commence, Kishore Kumar arrived at a meeting completely bald. This whimsical act left the film’s team in shock, as Kishore gleefully danced around the office, teasing director Hrishikesh Mukherjee about how he planned to proceed with a bald lead actor. This unexpected situation led to Rajesh Khanna being cast in the lead role, a decision that ultimately proved to be fortuitous for the film’s success.
Kishore Kumar’s collaboration with Rajesh Khanna is one of the most celebrated partnerships in Bollywood history. Their songs together are timeless classics that continue to resonate with audiences. Kishore sang an astonishing 245 songs picturised on Rajesh Khanna across 92 films. Their first collaboration in Aradhana (1969) gave us unforgettable songs like “Mere Sapno Ki Rani” and “Roop Tera Mastana,” which played a significant role in establishing Rajesh Khanna as a superstar.
Kishore Kumar’s voice was the soul of countless characters and actors, breathing life into them in ways that even the actors themselves couldn’t fully encapsulate. His collaboration with Rajesh Khanna resulted in some of the most memorable songs in Bollywood history. Kishore’s voice perfectly complemented Rajesh’s on-screen persona, and the success of their songs played a crucial role in his films’ blockbuster status.
Kishore Kumar’s life was not without its controversies. During the Emergency in India, he refused to sing for an Indian National Congress rally in Mumbai, leading to a ban on playing his songs by national broadcasters All India Radio and Doordarshan from 1976 till the end of the Emergency.
One of Kishore Kumar’s unfulfilled dreams was to build a house like Venice in his native city Khandwa. He was deeply attached to his hometown and often expressed his desire to settle there. Unfortunately, this dream was shattered when a skeleton was found during the excavation for the house, leading to the abandonment of the project.
An endless feud between the fans of Mohammed Rafi and Kishore Kumar..
Kishore Kumar’s personal life was as eventful as his professional career. He was married four times. His first wife was Ruma Guha Thakurta (1950-1958); his second wife was Madhubala (1960-1969), with whom he reportedly converted to Islam to marry. He later married actress Yogeeta Bali in 1976, but they divorced in 1978. His final marriage was to actress Leena Chandravarkar in 1980, and they remained together until his death in 1987. Kishore reportedly stopped singing for Mithun Chakraborty when Yogeeta married him after leaving Kishore.
Despite his successful career as an actor, Kishore Kumar had a love-hate relationship with acting. In an interview with Pritish Nandy, he revealed that he was initially conned into acting and never really enjoyed it. He often tried various tricks to get out of it, including pretending to be crazy and even shaving his head off. However, his natural talent shone through, and he delivered memorable performances in films like Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi, Half Ticket, Jhumroo, and Padosan.
As we celebrate Kishore Kumar’s 95th birthday, we remember a true legend whose voice transcended boundaries and touched millions of hearts. His unparalleled talent, versatility, and passion for music have left an enduring legacy that will continue to inspire and enchant generations to come. Kishore Kumar was not just a singer; he was an emotion, a phenomenon, and an irreplaceable part of Indian cinema’s golden era. His contribution to music and cinema is immeasurable, and his songs will continue to resonate with music lovers worldwide for generations to come.
