Kishore Kumar!! Some call him a versatile genius, a few call him a maverick having the manliest voice, and a few fanatics of other singers d...
Kishore Kumar!! Some call him a versatile genius, a few call him a maverick having the manliest voice, and a few fanatics of other singers dismiss him saying he was an overrated “jester”. But, all Indian film fans do agree upon one point that he was unparalleled, one of his kind, even the talented Sonu Nigam, who considers the great Rafi Saab his idol once said, “While Rafi Saab inspired me to adapt his style and become a singer, Kishoreda taught me how to change one’s voice quality while singing for a particular actor.”
While it's true that in his
initial days, he was known more as a comic actor who sang his own songs,
occasionally giving playback to Dev Anand, by the late 60s and early 70s he was
the voice of most of the actors, and almost all top stars and even comedians
and baddies lip-synced some fantastic numbers by him.
One of Kishoreda’s biggest
assets besides his booming voice and his natural ability to hit straight notes
was to adapt the actor’s voice texture and mannerisms while giving playback for
them. I have chosen six male leads with whom he had the most fruitful
association and have mentioned six songs for each along with a lesser-heard
song/ rare gem and have also mentioned some major 70s and 80s stars for whom
Kishore has sung and have chosen three songs for each of them. Knowing that these songs are not enough to encompass his versatility, I have
tried my best to give a tribute to this most likeable facet of his singing.
Dev Anand: The association between Dev Saab, as he was fondly called and Kishore Kumar goes back a long way, right from Kishore’s first playback Marne ki Duayein Kyun Mangoon from Ziddi (1948) till You are My Darling from Hum Naujawan (1985), Kishoreda has given Dev Saab innumerable hits of various moods from the jovial Kanchi re Kanchi re (Hare Rama Hare Krishna) to the romantic Phoolon ke rang se (Prem Pujari) to the melancholic Main Akela Apni Dhun Mein (Manpasand).
Top 6 songs according to me:
1) Gaata Rahe Mera Dil (Guide, MD: S.D.Burman)
2) Main Aaya Hoon (Ameer Gareeb, MD: Laxmikant Pyarelal)
3) Panna ki Tamanna Hai (Heera Panna , MD: R.D.Burman)
4) Mana Janab ne Pukara Nahin (Paying Guest, MD: S.D. Burman)
5) Nazrana Bheja Kisine (Des Pardes, MD : Rajesh Roshan)
6) Dukhi Man mere (Funtoosh, MD: S.D.Burman)
*Rare / lesser heard: Mujhko
Agar Ijaazat ho Toh (Ishq Ishq Ishq, MD: R.D.Burman)
Rajesh Khanna: The year 1969 saw the meteoric rise of India’s first official superstar Rajesh Khanna, who still maintains the record of the highest number of consecutive hit films, all would agree that one of the major reasons for these film’s success besides the charm of Kaka (as he was fondly called) and excellent music was Kishoreda’s magical numbers crooned by him onscreen. Even when his success waned in the mid-70s till his mini-comeback in the early to mid-80s, Kishore da continued to belt one excellent number after another, from the evergreen Mere Sapno ki Rani (Aradhana) to the criminally underrated Kiski Sadayein (Red Rose) to the philosophical Yaar Hamari Baat Suno (Roti), their combination always had the magical touch, Kishoreda, as usual, modulated his voice to suit Kaka’s voice to the tee seen in its full glory in songs like Prem Kahani Mein (Prem Kahani) and Idhar Aa Bhi Jaa (Dhanwaan).
Top 6 Kaka -KK combo :
1) Roop Tera Mastana (Aradhana, Md : S.D.Burman)
2) Chingari Koi Bhadke (Amar Prem. MD: R.D.Burman)
3) Main Shayar Badnaam (Namak Haraam, MD :- R.D.Burman)
4) Sun Ja Aa Thandi Hawa (Haathi mere Saathi, MD :- Laxmikant
Pyarelal)
5) Zindagi Ek Safar hai Suhana (Andaz, MD:- Shanker Jaikishen)
6) Mere Naina Sawan Bhado (Mehbooba, MD :- R.D.Burman)
• Lesser heard gem: Pyar ke din aaye (Maha Chor, MD:-
R.D.Burman)
Amitabh Bachchan: Strange as it may seem, Kishoreda’s deep baritone voice wasn’t used for a then struggling Amitabh initially, first Mohd. Rafi then Mukesh did playback for him. But the chartbuster Dekha na Haay Re from Bombay to Goa marked a highly successful collaboration that has given many hit songs of various genres. On the one hand, we have the highly melodious Meet Na Mila re Man Ka (Abhimaan), on the other hand, there is the funky Pyar Mein Dil Pe (Mahaan), there is the situational Khoon Paseene ki Jo (Khoon Paseena) and there is the sarcastic Apni toh Jaise Taise (Laawaris). This was surely a magical and long-lasting combo !!
Top 6 AB KK combo:
1) Rimjhim Gire Saawan (Manzil, MD : R.D.Burman)
2) Kisi Baat Par Main (Bemisaal, MD: R.D.Burman)
3) Aadmi Jo Kehta Hai (Majboor, MD: Laxmikant Pyarelal)
4) Rote Huye Aate Hain Sab (Muqaddar ka Sikandar, MD: Kalyanji
Anandji)
5) Andheri Raaton Mein (Shahenshah, MD: Amar Utpal)
6) Inteha Ho Gayee (Sharaabi, MD : Bappi Lahiri)
*Lesser heard gem : Phoolon Ke
Dere Hain (Zameer, MD: Sapan Chakravarti)
Rishi Kapoor: Although Shailendra Singh was indeed Rishi Kapoor’s voice initially right from his debut as a leading man, with Mohd. Rafi and later Kumar Sanu having sung some chartbusters for him, Chintu’s maximum hit songs have been sung by Kishore Kumar. Rishi’s then youthful, boyish charm was complimented so well by the impish yet romantic voice of Kishore best exemplified by popular numbers like Jeevan ke Har Mod pe (Jhootha Kahin Ka), or even rare gems such as Haseeno ki Yeh Shaam Hai (Aan aur Shaan).
Top 6 Rishi KK songs :
1) Ek Haseena Thi (Karz, MD : Laxmikant Pyarelal)
2) Bachna Ae Haseeno (Hum Kisise Kum Naheen, MD : R.D. Burman)
3) Jeevan ke Din Chhote Sahi (Bade Dilwala, MD: R.D. Burman)
4) Aisa Kabhi Hua Nahi (Yeh Vaada Raha, MD : R.D. Burman)
5) Mausam Pyar ka (Sitamgar, MD: R.D. Burman)
6) Tere Jaisa Mukhda Toh (Pyar ke Kaabil, MD: Bappi Lahiri)
• Lesser heard gem:- Matlab Jo Samjhe Mere Sandes Ka
(Barood, MD: S.D. Burman)
Dharmendra: Strange but true, Dharmendra was initially very skeptical of Kishore Kumar being his voice. Many think it's partly due to an alleged spat between them during the shoot of Ganga Ki Lehren in the mid-60s. But, right from the early 70s Kishore started singing for him, and even though Rafi Saab kept on giving chartbusters for Paa ji, Kishoreda parallelly gave many superhits for the dashing Dharam. Especially, Dharmendra’s impeccable comic timing suited Kishoreda’s voice as can be seen in songs like Abhi Gyarah Nahi (Phandebaaz) and Zamana Toh Hai (Naukar Biwi Ka), Dharmendra had a romantic image too and it was only enhanced by immortal songs like Gir Gaya Jhumka (Jugnu) and Vaada Haan ji Vaada (The Burning Train).
Top 6 Garam Dharam and KK combo:
1) Jaani o Jaani (Raja Jani, MD: Laxmikant Pyarelal)
2) Meri Jaan Meri Jaan (Do Chor, MD : R.D. Burman)
3) Hum Bewafa (Shalimar, MD: R.D. Burman)
4) Rafta Rafta Dekho (Kahani Kismat Ki, MD: Kalyanji Anandji)
5) Duniya o Duniya (Naya Zamana, MD: S.D. Burman)
6) Raju Chal Raju (Azaad, MD: R.D. Burman)
• Rare gem : Hum Kitne Nadaan They Yaaron (Sitamgar, MD: R.D.
Burman)
Jeetendra: One was the jumping jack on screen, and another was a riot on stage, so it was but just a matter of time before they collaborated! Although they gave some, ahem, “double entendre” songs in the 80s (though they were huge hits), it must be said their collaboration has given us some really enjoyable songs like Ab ke Saawan Mein Jee Dare (Jaise ko taisa), Jaane Kis Mod se (Kinara) and Bol mere Gudde (Bhai ho Toh Aisa).
Top 6 Jeetu KK songs :
1) Musafir Hoon Yaaron
(Parichay, MD : R.D. Burman)
2) O Maajhi Re (Khushboo, MD:
R.D. Burman)
3) Albela Mausam (Tohfa, MD : Bappi
Lahiri)
4) Hum Toh Hain Rahi Dil ke
(Caravan, MD: R.D. Burman)
5) Jo Tum Hasoge Toh (Kathputli,
MD: Kalyanji Anandji)
6) Main Jahan Chala Jaoon
(Banphool, MD: Laxmikant Pyarelal)
*Lesser heard gem: Nahin Nahin
Koi Tumsa Haseen (Swarg Narak, MD: Rajesh Roshan)
Other heroes of the 70s
Kishore had extremely fruitful
associations with Randhir Kapoor (Bhanwre ki Gunjan, Ghum hai Kisike Pyaar
mein, Kisise Dosti Karlo, Meri Bulbul), Sanjeev Kumar (songs of Aandhi, Meri
Bheegi Bheegi Si, Pyar ka Badla Mujhe), Shashi Kapoor (Keh Doon Tumhein, Le
Jayenge Le Jayenge, Tera Mujhse Hai, Ik Raasta Hai), Vinod Khanna (Ruk Jana
Nahin, Khuli Khuli Zulfein, Muskurata Hua Gul Khilata Hua), Vinod Mehra (Phir
Wahi Raat Hai, Maine Toh Yeh Jaana, Mausam Mastana Hai), Shatrughan Sinha (Gori
o Gori, Sharbati Teri Ankhon ki, Main Shayari na Karoon), Navin Nischol (Tu na
Mili Toh, Raat Kali, Do Pardesi Anjane Se), Anil Dhawan (Guzar Jaaye Din, Yeh
Jeevan Hai, Tumhari Berukhi Se), Rakesh Roshan (Aaj Unse Pehli, Koi Roko Na,
Tumse Badhkar Duniya Mein) and even less successful stars like Vijay Arora,
Kiran Kumar, and Deb Mukerji got some wonderful songs sung by him.
Heroes of the 80s
Kishore continued to sing with
full aplomb in the 1980s for heroes (most were even younger than his son Amit
Kumar) without sounding old and jaded. Be it a young Sanjay Dutt (Kya Yahi Pyar
Hai, Mano Mano ya Na Mano, Chand Koi Hoga Tumsa Kahaan) Disco Dancer Mithun
(Maine Pyar Kiya toh Thik Kiya, Ae o Aa, Dekho Idhar Jaan o Jigar, Halla Gulla
Karein Hum), new dancing sensation Govinda (Tumne Mujhe Pyar, Aapko Agar
Zaroorat Hai, Naam se Kya Lena), Sunny Deol (Chori Chori Jab, Ae Sagar ki
Lehron, Jab do Pyar Milte Hain), or moustached heroes Anil Kapoor (Kya Khabar
Kya Pata, Mere Dil se Dillagi, Sanso se Nahi), Jackie Shroff (Kal Ke Shiva,
Tanha Main Akela, O Yara Tu), he sang suiting their voice and onscreen images.
Even lesser successful star sons like Rajeev Kapoor (Ban ke Nazar, Kuch Log
Mohabbat Karke, Chakoo Chale), Kunal Goswami (Mere Liye Tu Bani, Neele Neele
Ambar Par) and so-called “arthouse” heroes like Naseeruddin Shah (Woh Ek Dost,
Maine Tumse Kuch Nahi) got excellent numbers from him even though the decade is
branded by many as musically inferior.
It can be safely
said that Kishore Kumar was truly an allrounder, be it singing Haan Pehli Baar
for a cherubic Sachin or singing Kaho Kahan Chale for the dynamic Danny, his
voice never quivered.
This is Part Two of our tribute series to the legend
on his 95th birth anniversary.
No comments