It was like taking a trip down memory lane for all those who came to be part of the cultural nite of VNIT’s annual fest Aarohi.

As sons of the legendary singer Kishore Kumar – Amit and Sumeet Kumar – belted out hit numbers of their father and other songs, the musical evening saw students swaying to the lovely melodies. With the proceeds of this event going for charity, it made the event even more special. Amit Kumar began the concert with his famous song, Bade acche lagtey hai while Sumit Kumar sang Ye jawani hai deewani followed by Bachna Ae Haseeno. The filmi journey through songs went on for quite a while as songs from another era livened up the atmosphere. Most students enjoyed the li’l but interesting stories that Amit Kumar narrated behind each song.

Kishore Kumar married four times. His first wife was Ruma Ghosh. There marriage lasted only for eight years. Kishore Kumar’s second wife was the famous actress Madhubala, who had worked with him in many films including his home production Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi (1958).
Kishore Kumar’s second wife was the actress Madhubala, who had worked with him on many films including his home production Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi (1958). When Kishore Kumar proposed to her, Madhubala was sick and was planning to go to London for treatment. At this time, she didn’t know that she had a ventricular septal defect, Madhubala married Kishore Kumar in 1960. Madhubala was a Muslim, and the two had a civil marriage. Kishore Kumar even converted to Islam, and took the name Karim Abdul.

After a civil marriage the couple also had a Hindu marriage to please his family members. However all his attempt to make her a part of the family was washed away in vain. Madhubala went to London for an operation, but the doctors didn’t operate on her, as her chances of survival were remote. The marriage lasted for 9 years, and ended with Madhubala’s death in 1969.

Kishore Kumar married again after 7 years to Yogeeta Bali just to call it quits after two years. Finally he married to Leena Chandavarkar from 1980 until his death. He had two sons Amit Kumar (an accomplished playback singer) from Ruma, and Sumit Kumar from Leena Chandavarkar.

In 1969, Shakti Samanta produced and directed the film Aradhana, for which the music was composed by S. D. Burman. S. D. Burman fell ill after recording some duet songs with Mohammed Rafi, Asha Bhosle, Lata Mangeshkar and Kishore Kumar. Afterwards, his son and assistant R. D. Burman took over the recording. R. D. Burman got Kishore Kumar to solo sing the songs “Mere Sapno Ki Rani” and “Roop Tera Mastana”, which became smash hits. Kishore Kumar won his first Filmfare award for the song “Roop Tera Mastana”.

R. D. Burman frequently used Kishore Kumar as the male singer, and recorded several hit songs with him in the 1970s. Some of the popular Kishore Kumar-R. D. Burman songs include “O Maajhi Re” from Khushboo, “Yeh Shaam Mastaani” and “Yeh Jo Mohabbat Hai” from Kati Patang (1971), “Kuchh To Log Kahenge” from Amar Prem (1972), “Raat Kali Ek Khwab Mein Aayi” from Buddha Mil Gaya (1971), “Musafir Hoon Yaaron” from Parichay (1972), “Diye Jalte Hain” from Namak Haraam (1973), “Meri Bheegi Bheegi Si” from Anamika (1973), “Zindagi Ke Safar Mein” from Aap Ki Kasam (1974), “Agar Tum Na Hote”, Humein Tum Se Pyaar Kitna from Kudrat, “Mere Naina Saawan Bhadon” from Mehbooba, and “Chingari Koi Bhadke” (Amar Prem), “Jab Bhi Koi Kangana” from Shaukeen (1986). R. D. Burman also recorded several hit duets pairing Kishore Kumar with Asha Bhosle and with Lata Mangeshkar. Some of these duets include “Panna Ki Tamanna” from Heera Panna (1973), “Neend Chura Ke Raaton Mein” from the film Shareef Budmaash, “Kya Yehi Pyaar Hai” from Sanjay Dutt’s debut film Rocky (1981), “Sagar Kinare” from Sagar in [1985], “Aap Ki Aankhon Mein Kuchh” from Ghar, “Jaane Ja Dhoondta” and “Nahi Nahi” from Jawani Diwani, “Kharoshoo” from Harjai (1982).

Yash Chopra has been given the National Kishore Kumar Award by the Madhya Pradesh government in India.

Yash Chopra, who is a legend himself has added yet another accolade to his already long list of achievements in the Hindi cinema. Mr. Laxmikant Sharma presented him with the traditional shawl and a cash prize.

State Education Minister Ms Archana Tipnis and the State Tribal Welfare Minister, Mr. Vijay Shah, were also present at the occasion. “By agreeing to accept this award Mr. Yash Chopra has added to the reputation of MP as a state. He is one such great Director whose films have been socially relevant since more than 50 years”, said Cultural Minister Mr. Laxmikant Sharma.

Mr. Yash Chopra was overwhelmed at receiving this award and thanked the Madhya Pradesh government. He fondly recalled his past association with the Late Kishore Kumar.

The Kishore Kumar award instituted in 1997, is given away for direction, acting, script writing and lyrics every year. Past recipients of the prestigious award have included Hrishikesh Mukherjee, Gulzar, Shyam Benegal and Amitabh Bachchan.

kishore always wanted to be a singer, but acting was thrust upon him, and he did his best to live up to it.

A Leo, Kishore was also known for his mad-cap comedy movies, and for his eccentricity as he used to ‘talk’ to his trees in his home, and having put up a sign ‘Mental Hospital’ right outside his residence in Khandwa.

He was also parsimonious, so much so that he was in arrears to the Indian Income Tax authorities, yet never missed a chance to make fun of them (Aur Peechey Pad Gaya Income Taxum, Jai Govindam Jai Gopalam).

When he refused to endorse former Indian Prime Minister’s 20 point Programme during the 1975-1977 Emergency, he was banned from the Government-controlled media namely All India Radio and Vividh Bharati. Even duets with his voice were censored.

He refused to lend his voice to Bollywood mega-star Amitabh Bachchan, when the later refused to do a guest appearance in a Kishore-produced film.

He introduced his son, Amit, to sing, often along with him, and then amazed his fans by marrying widowed Leena Chandavarkar, who was just two years older than Amit.

In the comedy ‘Badti Ka Naam Dadhi” he included the song ‘Karne Chaley Shaadi Meri, Khud Ban Baithey Dulha’, sung by Amit in the movie hilariously chastising his dad for getting married, instead of searching for a bride for his son.

Birthplace: Khandwa
Profession: Playback Singer, Bollywood.

Kishore Kumar’s was the second golden male voice that the film industry produced. , the first being that of Kundan Lal Sehgal. Besides being a singer, Kishore was a talented actor and comedian who stood out for his performances. He made his mark as an accomplished film and music director.

The traditional concept of a comedian has always been one of lowly stature, that of a sidekick. It was Kishore Kumar who successfully became Hindi cinema’s comic hero whose popularity relied primarily on his comic talents. Add to that his phenomenal acting talent and amazing singing voice and you have a performer who bordered on the genius. And like most geniuses he was notoriously eccentric!

He was born as Abhas Kumar Ganguly in Khandwa. As a child, he had been mischievous and loved playing pranks on everyone around him. His penchant for effortless comedy perhaps, came from his early days of pranks and mimicry. And there were directors like Kalidas (Half Ticket) and Satyen Bose (Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi) and actor-director Keshto Mukherjee (co-star in Padosan) who realised this potential and cashed in on his unusual brand of humour with stupendous success.

At the age of 18, he came to Bombay where elder brother Ashok Kumar was a major star. He got his first opportunity as a singer in Bombay Talkies Ziddi (1948) where he sang the song Marne ki Duayen Kyon Mangu for Dev Anand. Being an ardent admirer of K.L. Saigal, the song was sung in the style of the legend. But in spite of Ziddi’s success, Kishore found few offers forthcoming and did the odd singing assignment with bit roles making a rather tepid acting debut as hero in the forgettable Andolen (1951). At the age of 18, he came to Bombay where elder brother Ashok Kumar was a major star. He got his first opportunity as a singer in Bombay Talkies Ziddi (1948) where he sang the song Marne ki Duayen Kyon Mangu for Dev Anand. Being an ardent admirer of K.L. Saigal, the song was sung in the style of the legend. But in spite of Ziddi’s success, Kishore found few offers forthcoming and did the odd singing assignment with bit roles making a rather tepid acting debut as hero in the forgettable Andolen (1951). After his marriage to Ruma Devi resulted in a split in the family, Kishore approached S.D. Burman who had given him an opportunity in Pyar (1950) where interestingly he had sung for Raj Kapoor. Burmanda gave him the song Qusoor Aapka in Bahar (1951) which became a hit. As he got more singing assignments, he also began being offered leading roles in films. Kishore was initially taken quite lightly as a singer and was given mainly lighter songs by Burmanda and other music directors. But with the soulful Dukhi Man Mere from Funtoosh (1956), Kishore was now taken seriously as a singer. Though he was formally untrained, he assimilated jazz-scat fragmented musical notes into a rhythmic sequence and once its beat was established, departed from the pattern and combined notes and words/ syllables into new kinds of musical harmony.

Kishore reached his peak as an actor with the zany comedy Chalti ka Naam Gaadi (1958) which starred all the three Ganguly brothers and Madhubala. Kishore and Madhubala matched each other step for step in this comic caper with Burmanda composing such lighthearted ditties as Haal Kaisa Hai Janaab Ka and Paanch Rupaiya Barah Anna. After Kishore’s marriage to Ruma Devi disintegrated, he married Madhubala. The two starred in Jhumroo (1961), which Kishore produced and directed. He also composed the music of the film. The riotous Half Ticket (1962) with the two of them saw Kishore at his madcap best impersonating a 12 year old!

For all his eccentricity, Kishore married some of the most beautiful women in India. First Ruma Guha-Thakurta (the mother of his singer son Amit Kumar), then the beautiful Madhubala (whom he literally nursed for years till her death), Yogita Bali (niece of the great Geeta Bali) and finally Leena Chandavarkar. There are any number of Kishore Kumar tales to be heard in Mumbai. The best is how when he was shooting for a Satyen Bose film in Mahableshwar, he was supposed to come out of a bungalow, get into a car and go past the gate. After a couple of retakes, Kishore got into the car and drove past straight to Bombay while the entire unit waited for him to return. Night fell, but there was no sign of the man. To make matters worse, the car belonged to the producer. He was a miser, screamed that the taxmen took away all his earnings. And considerable earnings they were too: he charged Rs 15,000 per song. He charged one rupee less than Lata Mangeshkar to show his respect for her and her seniority. And he talked of going back to Khandwa to become a farmer.

He shunned people, never smoke or drank and had no friends. Once when a lady gossip writer asked him who his friends were, he took her to his backyard and introduced her to half-a-dozen trees. There they are, he said, Janardhan, Raghunandan, Gangadhar, Jagannath, Budhuram and Jhatpatjhatpat-jhatpat! The lady wrote that he was mad.

Door Gagan ki Chaon Main (1964) further confirmed Kishore’s acting talent as he scored heavily in a rather serious film. But the 60s also saw Kishore fall from grace as beset by tax problems he was reduced to doing B-films with the likes of Kum Kum. He had the odd singing assignment for Dev Anand in Guide (1965) and Jewel Thief (1967) but that was all. The turning point came with Aradhana (1969).Though Burmanda used Kishore as what he called his second service, his songs for Rajesh Khanna – Mere Sapnon ki Rani and Kora Kagaz Tha Yeh Man Mera proved super duper hits ahead of the Mohd. Rafi songs for the same film. It was a second coming and there was no turning back. Kishore formed a solid hit pairing with Rajesh Khanna and in the early 70s the duo churned out hit after hit. He overtook all competition and was the undisputed number one male playback singer of Hindi films, his voice pulsing with verve and exuberance.

As his fame grew so did stories of his eccentricities. He put up a board outside his house saying ‘THIS IS A LUNATIC ASYLUM.’ He reportedly spoke to his trees in his backyard addressing eachMby a special name. He zipped through a marriage with Yogita Bali which lasted just about a month and then married his fourth wife Leena Chandavarkar who was two years older than his son, Amit!

Kishore remained at the top till the very end succumbing to a major heart attack in 1987. The singer left for Mumbai when he was 18 years old but never failed to tell people that he hailed from Khandwa. But his wish to spend the twilight of his life here was never fulfilled. He succumbed to a heart attack in Mumbai on October 13, 1987. His body was subsequently brought to Khandwa. It was placed in the room where he was born.
Awards And Honors :
Award    Song – Movie
Filmfare Award – 1985    Saagar kinare – Saagar
Filmfare Award – 1984    Manzilen apni jageh – Sharabi
Filmfare Award – 1983    Agar Tum Na Hote – Agar Tum Na Hote
Filmfare Award – 1982    Pag Ghungroo – Namak Halal
Filmfare Award – 1980    Hazar rahen – Thodisi Bewafayi
Filmfare Award – 1978    Khaaike Paan Banaaras Wala – Don
Filmfare Award – 1975    Dil ayesa kisi ne mera toda – Amanush
Filmfare Award – 1969    Roop tera mastana – Aradhana

Best Of Kishore Kumar:
Song    Movie
Nahin Nahin Abhi Nahin     Jawani Deewani
Aane wala pal jane wala hai     Gol Maal
Mere Saamne Waali Khidki Mein     Padosan
Chingari koi bhadke     Amar Prem
Raat Kali Ek Khwaab Mein Aayi     Budda Mil Gayaa
Dekha Ek Khwaab     Silsila
Aa Chal Ke Tujhe, Maein Leke Chalun     Door Gagan Ki Chaaon Mein
Humain tumse pyaar kitna     Kudrat
Yeh Jeevan Hai     Piya Ka Ghar
Tere Mere Milan Ki Ye Raina     Abhimaan
Zindagi Ka Safar Hai Ye Kaisa Safar     Safar
Tum aa gaye ho noor aa gaya hai     Aandhi
Sach Mere Yaar Hai, Bas Wohi Pyaar Hai     Saagar
Pal Pal Dil Ke Paas Tum Rehti Ho     Blackmail

Who do you call a legend – an original inimitable warbler, who refuses to be wiped off one’s memory even after 12 years of his passing away, a singer unsurpassed, an incomparable actor and a genius who could script, write lyrics, raise ludicrous situations in films with his one liner punches and characteristic humour along with enacting grief and pity with equal ease.

Kishore – the actor or Kishore the singer, whose school of individualistic technique remains unparalleled till today despite as many as a score of imitations spawning the musical brigade.

Well, if one is Kishore Kumar- born Abhas Kumar Ganguly at Khandwa in Madhya Pradesh – whose rich masculine (if it doesn’t sound too crude a word) and sonorous singing did not merely follow music composer’s instructions to interpret the deep rooted emotions in the lyrics but added his own verve, style and zest to any playback that he called to perform, one could just about attempt anything.

In a way, his renditions made it simpler for some of the lead actors to lip sync and walk away with all the accolades for their easy manners. Kishore Kumar, a die hard K L Saigal fan, would originally, model his singing on his mentor and idol’s singing pattern, little realizing that the erstwhile ‘guru’ of the then modern singing (the only forms of music popularized those days were either Bhakti or classical style of music, had a unique pathos ridden twang that swept millions of fans across the land.

But Kumar recovered early enough to pattern himself on some of the western influences he had had and soon after emerged a distinct voice that enthralled every music aficionado.

Strangely, it wasn’t music that brought him to the world of films- his elder brother, an established name in Mumbai, had recommended his name to producers to allow him to try his hand at acting initially. Though acting in films did prove to be hugely successful, it’s true glory and recognition came much later when the film industry woke up to his immense talent as a writer, actor and of course a singer.

As a child, he had been mischievous and loved playing pranks on everyone around him. His penchant for effortless comedy perhaps, came from his early days of pranks and mimicry. And there were directors like Kalidas (Half Ticket) and Satyen Bose (Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi) and actor-director Keshto Mukherjee (co-star in Padosan) who realised this potential and cashed in on his unusual brand of humour with stupendous success.

One rare quality attributed to him is the exceptional and matchless style of yodeling which he brought in on his own. The robustness, stylistic and dulcet range that he displayed in the songs with his voice breaking to create a novel listening experience has yet to find a replacement.

Kishore Kumar would have been 78 Saturday, but chances are that the irrepressible, versatile playback singer-actor would still have been yodelling away like he did so many decades ago in the title track of “Jhumroo” had he been alive.

His was the voice that gave us unforgettable moments in the joyous “Paanch Rupaiya Baara Aana”, the soulful “Zindagi Ka Safar”, the romantic “Pal, Pal Dil Ke Pas” and the foot tapping “Eena Meena Deeka” that has people doing the twist even 50 years later.

They say there can never be another Kishore Kumar, and they are probably right. Where else would you get not just the voice but also the actor who made you laugh and cry with his tomfoolery and intensity. Just take the hilarious theatre guru in “Padosan” and the sombre “Door Gagan ki Chaon Mein” as cases in point.

The singer-actor died of a heart attack on Oct 13, 1987, leaving behind legions of followers – and imitators.

Music composer Bappi Lahiri gets emotional when talking about the legend, often known to be mercurial particularly in his later years.

“He is an irreplaceable and immortal singer-composer-actor-comedian-performer. There won’t be any Kishore Kumar ever again. He cannot be compared to anyone. Just like legendary singers like Elvis Presley, Mohammad Rafi and Lata Mangeshkar, he has no comparisons,” Lahiri told in an inerview.

Many budding composers wish they had a chance to work with him.

Said Neel Dutt, music director of “The Bong Connection”: “I regret I will never get a chance to compose a song for him. Though he is not with us today, Kishore Kumar lives in every singer. He has been an inspiration for anyone and everyone related to music.”

Kishore Kumar was a multi faceted genius of the Indian film industry. He was an inimitable comedian, a melodious composer, a perfect director, a sensitive lyricist and above all a brilliant and matchless play back singer. So immense has been his contribution that even after 20 years of his death he is still remembered with great admiration and reverence.

Kishore Kumar was born in Khandwa, Madhya Pradesh, on the 4th of August 1929. When he was in college, his elder brother, Ashok Kumar was already an established actor. After passing out, he decided to make a foray into the film industry. While he did small roles, renowned music director Khem Chand Prakash spotted the singing talent in him.

He began to hone the hidden talent in the young boy. Later on he was roped in by S.D. Burman. Kishore in the meanwhile managed to carve out a niche for himself as an upcoming comedian. In 1958 he produced and directed a movie named Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi. The movie was a block buster. Kishore Kumar had finally established himself as a number one comedy actor.

While acting he also sang many super hit songs for the then super star Dev Anand. After a string of failures( except for Padosan 1968) he decided to give up acting as a career and instead concentrate on play back singing. Then came the first major break as a play back singer. The song Mere Sapno Ki Rani from Aradhana, swept the nation. Kishore Kumar-the singer had arrived. Like a giant he strode over the music industry, thereafter. His songs became such a rage that star cast hardly mattered in films. Almost all the famous directors, music directors, music companies and producers relied heavily on him to deliver hits. So touching and soulful was his rendition that a trained classical singer like Rafi was relegated to the second spot. Kishore Kumar’s rich mellifluous voice and matchless style helped him retain his number one spot till his premature death in 1987.

Died he may have, but the legend lives on…..!

Original Name: Abhas Kumar Ganguly
Date of Birth (Birthday): 4 August, 1929
Date of Death: 13/10/1987
Eye Color: Black
Hair Color: Black
Birth Place: Khandwa, Madhyapradesh
Religion: Bengali
Marital Status: Married – Four Times
Languages: Hindi, Bengali
Family Background
Mother’s Name: Gouri Devi
Brother(s): Ashok Kumar and Anup Kumar
Sister(s): Sati Devi
Spouse: Yogeeta Bali, Leena Chandavarkar, Ruma, Madhubala
Son: Amit Kumar Ganguly, Sumit Kumar Ganguly

Film Background (Filmography)
Film Career: He was one of the best comedy actor as well as one of the best singer, music composer, script writer
Debut Film: As an Actor – Shikari
Famous Movies: As an Actor – Sun Sajna, Door Wadiyon Mein, Chalti Ka Naam Zindagi, Shabash Daddy, Ek Baap Chhe Bete, Love In Bombay, Badti Ka Naam Dadhi, Pyar Diwana, Door Ka Rahi, Hungama, Aansoo Aur Muskan, Beti, Do Doni Char, Haye Mera Dil, Padosan, Payal Ki Khankar, Sadhu Aur Shaitan, Shrimanji, Albela Mastana, Duniya Nachegi, Hum Do Daku, Devar, Akalmand, Ladka Ladki, Pyar Kiye Jaa, Hum Sab Ustad Hain, Shreeman Funtoosh, Baghi Shahzada, Daal Mein Kala, Door Gagan Ki Chhaon Mein, Ganga Ki Laharen, Mr.X In Bombay, Ek Raaz, Manmauji, Naughty Boy, Rangoli, Bombay Ka Chor, Half Ticket, Jhumroo, Karorepati, Apna Haath Jagannath, Bewaqoof, Girl Friend, Mehlon Ke Khwab, Chacha Zindabad, Jaalsaaz, Shararat, Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi, Chandan, Dilli Ka Thug, Kabhi Andhera Kabhi Ujala, Raagini, Miss Mary, Musafir, Aasha, Bandi, Begunah, Aabroo, Bhagambhag, Bhai Bhai, Dhake Ki Malmal, Mem Sahib, Naya Andaz, New Delhi, Paisa Hi Paisa, Parivar, Baap Re Baap, Char Paise, Madh Bhare Nain, Rukhsana, Teen Tasveeren, Dhobi Doctor, Ilzam, Miss Mala, Naukri, Pahli Jhalak, Adhikar, Fareb, Laharen, Cham Chhama Chham, Andolan, Muqaddar, Sati Vijaya, Ziddi, Shehnai
Film Awards: Award for Best Male Playback Singer for his songs in Sagar, Sharabi, Agar Tum Na, Namak Halal, Thodisi Bewafai, Don, Amanush, Aradhna