What does one expound on a symbol about whom so much has just been already written? Switch any FM radio station and you are certain to hear one of the numerous memorable songs of the Kishore Kumar-RD Burman era.
Tuning in to the RJs of today, it surprises how much everybody winds up calling the amazing vocalist Kishore da, as though he were a contemporary. It makes one consider how a vocalist who started his profession path in 1946 (he was a melody artist with Bombay Talkies) keeps on being audience members’ most loved even today.
Secret behind his voice
- A story goes that as a child growing up in his native Khandwa, Madhya Pradesh, Kishore met with an accident and injured his toe.
- Following that he kept crying for a month, which did wonders to his voice! Narrating this incident, his elder brother actor Ashok Kumar would say that Abhas (that was the name his folks gave him)
- would never have become a singer had it not been for that toe knock.
- Well that’s one of a kind ‘Secret’.
Getting in the industry
- One the earliest music directors to take note of Kishore’s talent was Salil Chowdhury.
- Initially dismissive of him, he changed his opinion on hearing his voice and gave him his first success
- when he made Kishore sing Chhota Sa Ghar Hoga in Naukari (1954) though the singer had made his formal
- debut back in 1949 with the song Marne Ki Duayen Kaun Kare from the film Ziddi, which had music by Khemchand Parkash.
- Furthermore,it was SD Burman who nurtured Kishore’s talent.
- Initially, Burman, too, wasn’t very keen. But a visit to Ashok Kumar’s home was an eye opener as he heard Kishore imitate Saigal.
- Complimenting him for his impressive singing, the veteran music composer asked Kishore to develop a style of his own.
- Kishore would go on to be the on-screen voice of Dev Anand, to much success.
- The trio SD Burman, Dev Anand and Kishore gave some of the most memorable songs of the era.
- The hit pair reached a crescendo with the resounding success of Aradhana. And it fetched Kishore his first Filmfare award too.
- Kishore truly achieved staggering heights in the 1970s when he began his magical association
- with RD Burman and Anand Bakshi.
- First in the films starring Rajesh Khanna (Kati Patang, Amar Prem) and then as the voice of
- Amitabh Bachchan (Amar Akbar Anthony, Don, Muqaddar Ka Sikandar, Khoon Pasina, Kasme Vaade, Sholay)
- in late ‘70s, Kishore went on to reign supreme.
When he made madness a trend !
- Much of Kishore’s genius comes from his unpredictable personality as an actor-singer he was crazy mad.
- Watch him fooling around Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi sometimes flirting, sometimes bumbling
- along and it will be clear that Kishore had an easy air about him.
- Watch him sing a duet (he sang both the male and female version!) and play a woman in
- Aake Seedhi Lagi starring actor Pran and him in the film Half Ticket.
- Can you imagine anyone else pulling off the music teacher act in Padosan other than Kishore? Remeber how fun Meri Pyari Bindu is?
- Also watch him in his comic role in this song Sa Sa sa from Naughty Boy opposite Nutan.
- Or watch him serenade Sadhna in Zaroorat Hai Zaroorat Hai Eik Shrimati Ki and you’ll know what we mean.
- And, oh that buffoonery! Watch him sing Eena Meena Deeka in case you have any doubts.
though the actor is no long between us, but his voice will always remain in our hearts for generations. Happy birthday Kishore Da!