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The Playback Chronicles of A Legend – Kishore Kumar

From the 1950s to 1980s, in a three-decade long career Kishore Kumar donned several hats – that of actor, producer and director – but it is certainly his singing prowess which made him one of the most popular stars in the country. Kishore Kumar’s breakthrough in the film industry was very different from most entrants. Many playback singers found it hard to crack an arrangement, and had to struggle even harder to retain that position successfully. However, Kishore Kumar’s entry in films was made easier by the influence of his elder brother Ashok Kumar without many efforts.

Kishore never had any formal training for music but that did not play hindrance. In his evergreen career, he exhibited a variety of styles and also played the piano well. Although Kishore Kumar played different tasks, his main interest was playback singing. It was music composer S.D. Burman who tapped into the inner talents of Kishore Kumar, and it was during the making of the “Mashaal” that S.D. Burman realised that Kishore was trying very hard to replicate K.L. Saigal, thus convincing him to create his own style. During this period, he did playback for many films, major ones were “Munjim” 91954), “Nau Do Gyarah” (1957).

Kishore was never scared of having access to abnormal techniques. For instance, he used the yodelling technique in films like “New Delhi” (1957) and “Pyaar Ka Mausam” (1969) which he had heard on his brothers’ phonograph records.

Kishore Kumar sang many duets with Asha Bhosle often resulting from the quarrel between S.D. Burman and Lata Mangeshkar going on from 1957 to 1962. Many of it also effected from R.D. Burman’s predilection for Asha Bhonsle over Lata. Some of the most memorable duet were “Ankhon Mein Kya Ji” from the film “Nau Do Gyarah” (1957) and “Paanch Rupaiya Baara Aana” from “Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi” (1958).

Kishore Kumar was not restricted to the Burman clan of music composers. He also created many renditions with most top ranking music directors of that period including everlasting hits like “Chhota Sa Ghar Hoga” from “Naukari” (1954) with Salil Chowdhuri, “Eena Meena Deeka” from “Aasha” (1957) with C. Ramachandra, “Nakhrewaali” from “New Delhi” (1956) with Shankar- Jaikishan and “C.A.T. Cat Maane Billi” from “Dilli Ka Thug” (1958) with Ravi.

The 1960s proved to be a mixed bag for Kishore Kumar. On the bright side of the picture, he had hit numbers like “Gaata Rahe Mera Dil” from “Guide” (1964) and “Yeh Dil Na Hota Bechara” from “Jewel Thief” (1967) but 1970s emerged much better with the song “Roop Tera Mastana” from the 1969 film “Aradhana” winning him a Filmfare. His reputation bounced back.

Here we pick some of the most super hit songs sung by the maestro:

One of the closest collaborators of Kishore Kumar was Dev Anand, for whom he sang his first solo,

Marne Ki Duyaen (1948)

The music of the film was composed by Khemchand Prakash and featured Kishore Kumar as a playback singer for the first time

Babu Samjho Ishare (1958)

This track from the film “Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi” is one that was sung in the early stages of his career and went on to become a hit. The song features Kishore Kumar with two brothers Anoop Kumar and Ashok Kumar.

Ek Ladki Bheegi Bhagi Si (1958)

This song is not only outstanding for its brilliant composition but also the leading cast. It features a young Kishore Kumar singing with the extremely beautiful Madhubala, both of whom went on to get married. The music is composed by S.D. Burman, with lyrics by Majrooh Sultanpuri. The inspiration for this song was provided by the “Sixteen Tons”. The tune was composed on Kishore Kumar’s request.

Mere Mehboob Qayamat Hogi (1964)       

Composed by Laxmikant-Pyarelal, this track is a melodious one from the classic science fiction film “Mr. X in Bombay”.

Kora Kagaz Tha Ye Man Mera (1969)

The collaboration of Kishore Kumar and S.D. Burman delivered many gems and this belongs to the category. Whether it’s the voice, lyrics or the music, all take us over to a different land. Kishore Kumar has lent his vocals for Rajesh Khanna in several films, most of which became chartbusters. The lyrics of the song were written by Anand Bakshi.

Sama Hai Suhana Suhana (1970)

Composed by Kalyanji Anandji, this song is a sung by Kishore Kumar for the film “Ghar Ghar Ki Kahani”.

Zindagi Ka Safar (1970)

This expressive piece of music by Kalyanji Anandji brought the best out of Kishore Da. Indeevar has written the lyrics.

Pal Bhar Ke Liye (1970)

This song was used in an episode of The Simpsons titled “Kiss Kiss, Bang Bangalore”. The film boasts one of the best performances of Kishore Kumar, Asha Bhosle; music composed by the duo of Kalyanji Anandji and lyrics of Indeevar.

Raat Kaali Ek Khwaab (1971)

The music of the film “Buddha Mil Gaya” was composed by R.D. Burman and lyrics were written by Majrooh Sultanpuri.

Ye Jo Mohhabbat Hai (1971)

The music is composed by Rahul Dev Burman and lyrics were penned by Anand Nakshi. Kishore Kumar sang four songs for Rajesh Khanna in the film

Musafir Hun Yaro (1972)

Another poignant number sung by the dynamic duo of Kishore Kumar and R.D. Burman. This song from the film “Parichay” features young Jeetendra.

Tera Mujhse Hai Pehle Ka Naata Koi (1973)

One can never have enough of this song from the movie “Aa Gale Lag Jaa”. Sushma Sreshtha received a Filmfare nomination as Best Female Playback Singer for the song and it’s her only nomination. The film is remembered for its notable hit songs which had music composed by R.D. Burman and lyrics by Sahir Ludhianvi.

Wada Karo Nahi Chodoge (1973)

 Another chartbuster number from the film “Aa Gale Lag Jaa”.

Ghungroo Ki Tarah Bajta Hi Raha (1974)

There are very few people on the planet who could express dimness as specially as Kishore Da. This song stands right up there in the list of the most expressive ones. The music composer was Ravindra Jain.

Hum Dono Do Premi Duniya Chorr Chale (1974)

Another hit track! Another timeless wonder! The score and soundtrack of the film was composed by R.D. Burman and lyrics were penned by Anand Bakshi.

Dil Kya Kare (1975)

Known for his romantic renditions, this song from the film “Julie” can easily be placed at the top of the chart. The music was a blockbuster hit and composer Rajesh Roshan won the Filmfare Award for the year. The lyrics of the song were penned down by Anand Bakshi.

Is Modh Jaate Hain (1975)

The music of this film, “Aandhi” was composed by Rahul Dev Burman and lyrics written by Gulzar. The Lata Mangeshkar-Kishore Kumar duet “Is Mod Se Jaate Hain” extended the chief scale usage with a supplementary pointed (Teevra Madhyam) and reminiscence of Raga Yaman. Even the intermission included Indian classical instruments, like flute played by Hariprasad Chaurasia, sarod by Zarin Daruwala (Sharma) and sitar by Jairam Acharya, supported by a violin collection. Stunning and delectable!

O Majhi Re (1975)

Another memorable classic from R.D. Burman – Kishore Kumar duo, this song is penned by none other than Gulzar and features Jeetendra and the beautiful Hema Malini. The haunting number was famous for both lyrics and tune.

Chalte Chalte Mere Ye Geet Yaad Rakhna! (1976)

A composition by Bappi Lahiri from the film “Chalte Chalte”, this Kishore Kumar song was a part of Binaca Geetmala annual list 1976 and music was by Universal.

Uljhan Hajaar Koi Daale (1977)

This song is from the film “Chandi Sona” produced and directed by Sanjay Khan and starring Sanjay Khan himself along with Parveen Babi, Premnath, Rangeet, Danny Dengzongpa, Asrani, Paintal, Kamini Kaushal, Iftekhar and Raj Kapoor. The music is composed by R.D. Burman.

Phir Wahi Raat Hain (1978)

This one is an ultimate romantic number from the Rekha – Vinod Mehra starrer Ghar. The album of the film is composed by R.D. Burman, with lyrics by Gulzar.

Janu Meri Jaan (1980)

Ramesh Sippy, after the success of “Sholay”, obtained services of R.D. Burman to compose the songs for his film “Shaan”. R.D. Burman won his sole nomination at Filmfare for this album. With this song, two top singers of that period collaborated.

AA dekhe zara kismain kitna dum (1981)

Born as Abhas Kumar Ganguly, Kishore Kumar sung this popular dance number for Sanjay Dutt in the film “Rocky”, which was released in 1981

Lehron Ki Tarah Yaadein (1983)

Kishore Kumar wins hearts with this emotional rendition composed by Rajesh Roshan for the film “Nishaan”.

Neele Neele Ambar Par Chand Jab Aaye (1983)

This new age romantic song was sung towards the end of the career. The music was composed by the duo Kalyanji-Anandji and the song is based on “Illaya Nila” from the Tamil film “Payanangal Mudavithillai”.

Guru Guru (1988)

Kumar had recorded his last song – a duet with Asha Bhosle for the film Waqt Ki Aawaz. The song was composed by Bappi Lahiri for Mithun Chakraborty and Sridevi – the day before Kishore Kumar died.

Kishore Kumar’s voice manifested masculinity combined with flamboyance as a result of which the singer remains unrivalled decades after his death.

 

 

 



This post first appeared on History Of Tina Ambani, please read the originial post: here

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The Playback Chronicles of A Legend – Kishore Kumar

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