Among the immensely talented singers to have graced the Indian Film Music scene was Kishore Kumar. One of the most loved singers ever, his songs have a timeless appeal which is a tribute to his singing prowess and versatility as much as it is to the music directors and lyricists who played an equally important role.
Kishore Da made an invaluable contribution to Bollywood music and though I’m no great connoisseur of music, I’ll make a humble attempt to encapsulate his 10 best songs. I’m selecting only 10 because I prefer to do ample justice to my selection rather than selecting 20 and churning out a half-baked review. Some well-meaning member must have suggested 20 songs under the topic but that doesn’t mean that writing on any number less than that is a sacrilege, right?
*1.“Yeh jo mohabbat hai” – Movie – Kati Patang, Music – R.D. Burman, Lyrics – Anand Bakshi*
One of my all time favourites, this number stands out for it’s extremely simple music and the beautiful lyrics that aptly describe a heart broken man’s cheerful outpourings on Love. The magic in the song is derived more from KK’s subtle variations in tone and the feeling with which he sung it.
*2.“Mere mehboob qayamat hogi” – Movie – Mr. X in Bombay, Music – Laxmikant Pyarelal, Lyrics – Anand Bakshi*
Rendered quite early in his career, this was one of his first and major block-buster songs. His voice here is quite raw and lacks the sharpness that it later acquired. Set against a pleasing, semi-reggae beat, the song is a lonely man’s musings on his imaginary ladylove. The song also has some great urdu lyrics that add a unique dimension to it.
*3.“Dil kya kare” – Movie – Julie, Music – Rajesh Roshan, Lyrics – Anand Bakshi*
It’s very difficult to select a single song from this movie because each one is a gem by itself! The movie itself became a big rage when it was released, thanks to the terrific songs in it. If I were to declare my Love to my fiancée/wife, this would be THE song I’d sing. It describes a man’s unbridled love for his lady in the face of differing status positions and religions.
*4.“Pal pal dil ke paas” – Movie – Blackmail, Music – kalyanji Anandji, Lyrics – Rajendra Krishan*
An evergreen number, this is the ideal song if anyone wants to serenade his wife/girl friend by telling how much he likes her. The picturisation of this song is perfect with Dharmendra singing this song through a letter that he sends to Rakhee and conveying through it how close to his heart she is. Even as Rakhee reads the letter while walking in a garden, Dharmendra sings the song, all the while being hidden from her view.
*5.“Ek Chaturnaar” – Movie – Padosan, Music – R.D Burman(?), Lyrics – Not known*
This song truly showcases KK as a truly versatile singer. It’s any singer’s dream song for its sheer range of twists and turns. KK brilliantly sings along with manna Dey for Sunil Dutt and Mehmood respectively. The song itself is a virtual laugh riot as it depicts a singing competition between them both for Saira Banu. KK weaves his voice in and out of the sudden variations in music, tempo and tenor. This song is truly one of his very best!
*6.“Tere bina Zindagi se koi”(with Lata Mangeshkar) – Movie – Aandhi, Music – R.D. Burman, Lyrics – Gulzar*
In my opinion, there’s no parallel for this song when it comes to a situational placing in a Hindi movie. Sanjeev Kumar and Suchitra Sen sing their hearts out of their most innate feelings for each other, and that, after being separated from each other for many years. The years might have caused a physical distance between them but the feelings of love remain as strong as they were when Love first strikes them. If you ever have to pacify your beloved after a strong fight, this is exactly what the Doctor ordered!
*7.“Zindagi ka safar” – Movie – Safar, Music – Kalyanji Anandji, Lyrics – Indeewar*
An extremely poignant number, I love listening to this song whenever I’m in a depressed mood. The song speaks of the journey of life with all its ups and downs. The lyrics are perfect – they question the very intention of leading a mundane life without doing anything worthwhile. We spend scores of years living it out but don’t pause even for a moment to think what its purpose is. A great philosophical song, if there ever was one…
*8.“Mere Sapnon ki rani” – Movie – Aradhana, Music – S.D Burman, Lyrics – Anand Bakshi*
You’re going to meet your loved one after eons and finally the day dawns when she’s coming home, your heart beats faster, you can’t contain your joy, you’re dying to meet her…what do you do? Simply break out into this song!
*9.“Kitne bhi tu kar le sitam” – Movie – Sanam teri kasam, Music – R.D Burman, Lyrics – Gulshan Bawra*
A moderately fast-paced number, this one has the trademark KK “yodeling” thrown in for good measure. It’s a man’s playful declaration to his lady that his love for her will never diminish even if she is angry or upset with him. I’ve got the lyrics by-heart because I often end up singing this song to different girls who walk in and out of my life;-)
*10.“Rim jhim ghire saawan” – Movie – Manzil, Music – R.D Burman, Lyrics – Yogesh*
Monsoons hold a special place for people in love. This is one of those rare songs that captures the feelings of love that sprout in one’s heart when the rains come calling. The lyrics bring out parallels between every aspect of the rains and how they affect Love – the raindrops, the greenery and the feeling of simply being enveloped by a downpour.