Kishore Kumar or Abhas Kumar Ganguly was born on August 4, 1929, in Khandwa, Madhya Pradesh. He was good at singing as well as mimicry, he was pushed into acting. He was an excellent actor who had perfect timing for comedy. He also added feathers in his cap as a singer, actor, and Music director, script writer, lyricist, director and producer. He was also known for his eccentricities, when he died the people who had gathered to pay him tribute were laughing while remembering his pranks and his eccentric nature.
He lent his voice for many leading actors and he was also very famous as voice of Rajesh Khanna. The voice of an orchestra singer Nizamuddin( not aware of his present whereabouts), resembled Kishore Da’s voice very much, at times it was difficult to differentiate their voices, this I can say as I have heard him numerous times personally.
He has sung songs in various languages, some super duper hits, some hits and some not so but each and every song was sung from heart. He was famous for yodeling. He won 8 Filmfare awards and was nominated 19 times. He also won several other awards and if I am not mistaken there is an award instituted in his name too.
He married four times and has two sons. He was planning to retire and shift to Khandwa when he suffered a massive heart attack which took his life away. He left for his heavenly abode on October 13, 1987, it is very ironic that one brother’s birthday is another brother’s day of death. There are talks to make a movie on his life, hope someone who plays his role does justice to it. He did live life on his own terms, a life full of eccentricities.
Some of my favourite solo songs sung by him:
1) Chookar Mere Mann Ko From Yaarana And Music By Rajesh Roshan
Chookar mere mann ko, kiya toone kya ishaara
Badla yeh mausam, lage pyaara jag saara
These are the words of a lover, who feels that the world has become more beautiful alongwith the change in his heart.
2) Diye Jalte Hain Phool Khilte Hain From Namak Haram And Music By R D Burman
Diye jalte hain, phool khilte hain
Badi mushkil se magar, duniya mein dost milte hain
If you find someone, whom you care for, do make sure that they remain a part of your life. It is very difficult to find good friends.
3) Humein Tumse Pyaar Kitna From Qudrat And Music By R D Burman
Humein tum se pyaar kitna, yeh hum nahin jaante
Magar jee nahin sakte tumhaare bina
Is there any measure by which you quantify love? Love gives the feeling of headiness, it is very difficult to live without the person you love.
4) Mera Tujhse Hain Pehale Ka From Aa Gale Lag Ja And Music By R D Burman
Mera tujhse hain pehale ka naata koi
Yun hi nahin dil lubhata koi
Have you ever come across a person(whatever maybe the relation) you meet and feel that you have known this person forever?
5) Tere Chehre Mein Woh Jaadu Hain From Dharmatma And Music By Kalyanji-Anandji
Tere chehre mein woh jaadu hain, bin dor khincha jaata hoon
Jaana hota hain aur kahin, teri ore chala aata hun
The thoughts of a lover who gets lost in his beloved and can’t think of anything else.
6) Jidhar Dekhun Teri Tasveer From Mahaan And Music By R D Burman
Jidhar dekhun teri tasveer, nazar aati hain
Teri soorat, meri taqdir, nazar aati hain
A mesmerized lover who sees the picture of his beloved everywhere, isn’t it said that a person in love only has eyes for his/her loved one.
7) Dil Mein Kisi Ke Pyaar Ka Jalta Hua Diya From Ek Mahal Ho Sapnon Ka And Music By Ravi
Dil mein kisi ke pyaar ka jalta hua diya
Duniya ki aandhiyon se bhala yeh bujhega kya
However the world tries to separate the two loved ones, it is not possible to remove the feelings from their heart.
8) Rim-Jhim Gire Saawan From Manzil And Music By R D Burman
Rim-jhim gire saawan, sulag sulag jaaye mann
Bheege aaj is mausam mein, lagi kaisi yeh agan
The rains bring out the Romance in the love birds.
9) Ek Ajnabi, Hasina Se, Yun Mulaqaat, Ho Gayi
From Ajnabi And Music By R D Burman
Ek ajnabi, hasina se, yun mulaqaat, ho gayi
Phir kya hua, yeh na puchho, kuchh aisi baat, ho gayi
Love at first sight, isn’t it amazing.
10) Aa Jaa Ke Mere Dil Ne Tadap Ke Jab Naam Tera Pukara
From Anurodh And Music By Laxmikant-Pyarelal
Mere dil ne tadap ke jab naam tera pukara
Kahaan se na jaane chala aaya yeh mausam pyaara-pyaara
Calling the loved one to enjoy the beauty of the surroundings.
11) Daaru Ki Botal Mein Phir Na Kahana Michayel Daaru Pi Ke
From Majboor And Music By Laxmikant-Pyarelal
Daaru ki botal mein saaheb paani bharta hain
Phir na kahna Michael daaru peekar danga karta hain
This is one of his hits, I remember singing and acting out this song, do hear it possible, it is a sarcasm on human attitude.
12) Dekha Na Haai Re Socha Na Haai Re From Bombay To Goa And Music By R D Burman
Dekha na haai re socha na haai re rakh di nishaane pe jaan
Kadmon mein tere nikle mera dil hain bas yahi armaan
Teasing someone you love, another lovely song of Kishore Da, very famous song of its time.
13) Hum To Mohabbat Karega, Duniya Se Nahin Darega From Dilli Ka Thug And Music By Ravi
Hum to mohabbat karega, duniya se nahin darega
Chaahe yeh zamaana kahe humko diwaana
A lover proclaims to the whole world that he will do anything for his beloved.
14) Ai Baabu Yeh Public Hain Sab Jaanti Hain From Roti And Music By Laxmikant, Pyarelal
Ai baabu yeh public hain public
Yeh jo public hain sab jaanti hain
This was a satire and sarcasm on Indira Gandhi’s regime during Emergency period.
15) Pag Ghungaru Baandh Mira Naachi Thi From Namakhalaal And Music By Bappi Lahiri
Buzurgon ne, faramaya ke pairon pe apane khade hoke dikhalao
Phir yeh zamaana tumhaara hain
It is one of the whole time hit songs of Kishore Da as well as Amitabh Bachchan, used to played a lot in and Musical shows.
16) Bhang Ka Rang Khai Ke Paan Banaaras Wala From Don And Music By Kalyanji-Anandji
O khaike paan banaaras vaala - (2)
Khul jaaye band akal ka taala
Who can forget the Benares Ka Paan or Chora Ganga kinarewala ..
17) Simtisi Sharamaisi, Kis Duniyase Tum Aayi Ho From Parwana And Music By Madan Mohan
Simtisi sharmaisi, kis duniyase tum aayi ho
Kaise jahaan mein samaayega, itna husn jo laayi ho
Singing the praises of his beautiful beloved, is there anyone else more beautiful..
18) Koi Lauta De Mere From Door Gagan Ki Chhaon Mein And Music By Kishore Kumar
Koi lauta de mere, bite hue din - (2)
Bite hue din woh hay, pyaare pal chhin
Reminiscing the byegone days and wanting those days to reappear.
Rest in Comments Section, how much I try not to Hog the Comments Section but can’t help.