Kishore Kumar (4 August 1929 – 13 October 1987), was a popular Indian film playback singer, actor, lyricist, composer, producer, director, screenplay writer and scriptwriter.
He is considered one of the most successful playback singers of the Hindi film industry. He sang in many Indian languages including Bengali, Hindi, Marathi, Assamese, Gujarati, Kannada, Bhojpuri, Malayalam, Oriya, and Urdu. He won 8 Filmfare Awards for Best Male Playback Singer and holds the record for winning the most Filmfare Awards in that category. He was awarded the "Lata Mangeshkar Award" by the Madhya Pradesh government and from that year onwards, the Madhya Pradesh Government initiated a new award called the "Kishore Kumar Award" for contributions to Hindi cinema
Kishore Kumar was born Abhas Kumar Ganguly on August 4, 1929 in Khandwa (present day Madhya Pradesh). Although this is a Hindi speaking area he was a Bengali. His father was a lawyer named was Kunjilal, and his mothers name was Gouri Devi. He was one of four children. He had two older brothers named Ashok Kumar and Anoop Kumar, and a younger sister named Sati.
Kishore Kumars entrance to the film industry was very different from most people. Most of the famous playback singers struggled hard to find a position and struggled equally hard, often unsuccessfully to retain that position. However Kishore Kumar easily slid into the film industry without any real effort. The reason for this was through the influence of his elder brother Ashok Kumar.
Kishore Kumar never had any formal musical training but this did not stop him. In his career he showed proficiency in a variety of musical styles. Furthermore he was able to pick up the piano and played it well.
The young Kishore and his family used to visit Ashok Kumar in Bombay very often. There was 18 years difference between Ashok and Kishore, so the elder Ashok was well established in the film field while Kishore was still just a kid. Due to his brothers connections, Kishore was able to secure odd positions at an early age. When quite young he became a chorus singer for Bombay Talkies, where his brother Ashok worked. This was in spite of the fact that Kishore never had any formal training in music. Several other films also came his way. Kishore got his first role in "Shikari" (1946); he was only about 17 at the time. He was also hired by Khemchand Prakash to sing a song for the film "Ziddi" (1948). These were just odd assignments, Kishore was still with his family then and not in Bombay where the Hindi film industry was centred.
In 1949 Kishore moved to Bombay. Being located in the centre of the Hindi film industry brought him much more work. He acted in several movies; he even got the leading role in films such as "Andolan" (1951), "Naukari" (1954) and "Musafir" (1957).
There are a large number of Asha Bhosle / Kishore Kumar Duets. Many result from the SD Burman / Lata Mangeshkar feud which was going on from 1957 to 1962. Many also result from R.D. Burmans preference for Asha over Lata as well. Some notable duets were Ankhon Mein Kya Ji from "Nau Do Gyarah" (1957) or Paanch Rupaiya Baara Aana from "Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi" (1958).
Kishore Kumar was by no means limited to the Burman clan of music directors. He created very notable songs with most of the top ranking music directors of the period. These include such immortal hits as Salil Chowdhuris Chhota Sa Ghar Hoga ("Naukari" - 1954), C. Ramchandras Eena Meena Deeka ("Aasha" - 1957), Shankar - Jaikishans Nakhrewaali ("New Delhi" - 1956) or Ravis C.A.T. Cat Maane Billi ("Dilli ka Thug" - 1958).
The 1969 movie Aradhana proved to be a watershed event for Kishore Kumar as the roaring success of the film soundtracks pitch-forked him to the higher-echelons of Bollywood playback singers. With hit numbers such as Mere Sapnon ki Rani and Kora Kagaz Tha Yeh Man Mera, Kishore even managed to outshone the legendary Mohammed Rafi who sang a couple of songs for the film. From now on, there was no looking back for Kishore as a string of superhit numbers for Rajesh Khanna established him as the numero uno playback singer in Bollywood.
Video showing top 10 hit songs by kishore da
Kishore Kumar delivered a number of memorable hits with noted composer S. D. Burman and enjoyed an equally fruitful association with his prodigious son Rahul Dev Burman. He also churned out popular numbers with composer duos Laxmikant - Pyarelal and Kalyanji - Anandji. While professionally Kishore built up an enviable status in Hindi film music, his personal life remained a roller-coaster ride. He tied the knot four times and his fourth wife Leena Chandavarkar was two years older than his son, Amit
Kishore Kumar delivered a number of memorable hits with noted composer S. D. Burman and enjoyed an equally fruitful association with his prodigious son Rahul Dev Burman. He also churned out popular numbers with composer duos Laxmikant - Pyarelal and Kalyanji - Anandji. While professionally Kishore built up an enviable status in Hindi film music, his personal life remained a roller-coaster ride. He tied the knot four times and his fourth wife Leena Chandavarkar was two years older than his son, Amit
Kishore Kumar married four times. His first wife was Bengali singer and actress Ruma Guha Thakurta aka Ruma Ghosh. Their marriage lasted from 1950 to 1958.His second wife was actress Madhubala, who had worked with him on many films including his home production Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi (1958) and Jhumroo (1961). When Kumar proposed to her, Madhubala was sick and was planning to go to London for treatment. She had a ventricular septal defect (hole in the heart), and he was married to Ruma. After his divorce, the couple had a civil wedding in 1960 because Kumar was Bengali Hindu (Brahmin) and Madhubala was Muslim. His parents refused to attend. The couple also had a Hindu ceremony to please Kumars parents, but Madhubala was never truly accepted as his wife. Within a month of her wedding she moved back to her bungalow in Bandra because of tension in the Kumar household. They remained married but under great strain for the remainder of Madhubalas life. Their marriage ended with Madhubalas death on 23 February 1969.
Some romantic songs by kishore kumar
Some romantic songs by kishore kumar
Kumars third marriage was to Yogeeta Bali, and lasted from 1976 to 4 August 1978. Kishore was married to Leena Chandavarkar from 1980 until his death. He had two sons, Amit Kumar with Ruma, and Sumit Kumar with Leena Chandavarkar.
Kumar is said to have been paranoid about not being paid.During recordings, he would sing only after his secretary confirmed that the producer had made the payment.On one occasion, when he discovered that his dues had not been fully paid, he appeared on set with makeup on only one side of his face. When the director questioned him, he replied "Aadha paisa to aadha make-up." (Half make-up for half payment).On the sets of Bhai Bhai, Kishore Kumar refused to act because the director M V Raman owed him INR 5,000. Ashok Kumar persuaded him to do the scene but when the shooting started, Kumar walked across the floor, walked a few places and said, Paanch Hazzar Rupaiya (five thousand rupees) and did a somersault. After he reached the end of the floor, he left the studio.On another occasion, when producer R.C. Talwar did not pay his dues in spite of repeated reminders, Kumar arrived at Talwars residence and shouting "Hey Talwar, de de mere aath hazaar" ("Hey Talwar, give me my eight thousand") every morning until Talwar paid him