August 4, 2009 was the 80th birth anniversary of my favourite singer and the greatest legend of Bollywood - Kishore Kumar. Whether it was a sad song, a happy song, a fast song, a yodelling song or a duet, Kishore filled it with life. Whether it was Dev Anand, Rajesh Khanna or Amitabh Bachchan, one common factor was that Kishore sung the best hits for all these superstars. Here’s a selection of my favourite songs sung by the great icon of music:
Chingaro Koi Badke from Amar Prem is a classic Rajesh Khanna-R D Burman-Kishore song. Listen to the beautiful lyrics and the golden voice of Kishore. https://youtube.com/watch?v=kpM0jPd6-7w
Yeh Sham Mastani from Kati Patang is another Kishore-RD-Rajesh Khanna classic with Kishore’s trademark yodelling strains. https://youtube.com/watch?v=_sZg4EUB3IM
Neele Neele Ambar Par from Kalakaar has music by Kalyanji Anandji and picturised on Manoj Kumar’s son and Sridevi, a soft romantic song, truly amazing! https://youtube.com/watch?v=irHW4udsmTo
Oh Meri Sharmilee from Sharmilee is a Dada Burman song picturised on a frisky Shashi Kapoor https://youtube.com/watch?v=oV7qOHZlYkk
My name is Anthony Gonsalves from Amar Akbar Anthony is one of the most famous Amitabh songs music by Laxmi-Pyare sung in an inimitable sung by Kishore. https://youtube.com/watch?v=uYEM7rgVpP8
Mere Mehboob Qayamat Hogi from Mr X in Bombay music by Laxmi-Pyare and picturised on Kishore himself, this is one of my favourite songs. https://youtube.com/watch?v=Rfd4116vZ18
Dil Kya Kare from Julie is one of all-time greats. This is probably Rajesh Roshan’s best song given life by Kishoreda’s golden voice. https://youtube.com/watch?v=Tjg4RRPyE44
Phoolon Ke Rang Se from Prem Pujari is a Dev Anand special with music by S D Burman, simply great! https://youtube.com/watch?v=CdPuOGazWZg
Mere Dil Me Aaj Kya Hain from Daag with music by Laxmi-Pyare is a song filled with pain and a treat to listen. https://youtube.com/watch?v=xWT0wICqCew
O Saathi Re from Muqaddar Ka Sikandar picturised on Amitabh with music by Kalyanji Anandji, only Kishore could have sung this soulful super song. https://youtube.com/watch?v=OssRAVZhsRk
Mere Sapnon Ki Rani Kab Ayegi Tu from Aradhana is the song that made Rajesh Khanna a superstar. Though music is credit to S D Burman, it was actually R D who composed this song, which catapulted Kishore to the pinnacle allowing him to overtake Rafi. https://youtube.com/watch?v=vo1MykK4u8U
Main Hoo Jhum Jhum Jhumroo from Jhumroo has music by Kishore himself and showcases the amazing yodelling skills of Kishore. https://youtube.com/watch?v=eIIyVdcTgvQ
Ina Mina Dika from Aasha, again picturised on Kishore with music by C Ramchandra is a fast number sure to make you dance. https://youtube.com/watch?v=3BRuNAcl83A
Om Shanti Om from Karz picturised on Rishi Kapoor with music by Laxmi-Pyare, this is a cult song sung with aplomb by the maestro. https://youtube.com/watch?v=eS29KERO_d4
Zindagi Ek Safar Hai Suhana from Andaz is a song filled with joy. Kishore-Rajesh song with Shankar-Jaikishan’s music and Kishore’s amazing yodelling, wonderful! https://youtube.com/watch?v=clkTG0TFfEo
Yeh Jo Mohabbat Hain from Kati Patang a R D special, one of my all-time favourite, this song is something special. https://youtube.com/watch?v=YIWX9vCffms
Oh Mere Dil Ke Chain from Mere Jeevan Sathi picturised on a shivering Tanuja and a romantic Rajesh Khanna, this song is a treat to listen, with music by R D Burman. https://youtube.com/watch?v=YTVgsUWv7pA
Mere Bheegi Bheegi Si from Anamika is another RD-Kishore special picturised on Sanjeev Kumar and is filled with melancholy, a true classic. https://youtube.com/watch?v=sTIhX0ZzGH8
Mera Jeevan Kora Kagaz from Kora Kagaz is filled with pathos, one of Kishore’s great sad songs with music by Kalyanji-Anandji. https://youtube.com/watch?v=81v-RHKZbiw
Chalte Chalte Mere Ye Geet Yaad Rakhna from Chalte Chalte is the best song to end this review. Fantastic Music by Bappi Lahiri and Kishore Kumar makes this song a classic. https://youtube.com/watch?v=M-GHC8OR28w