Kishore Kumar: Difference between revisions

{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2022}}

| other_names        = Kishore Da

* [[Pop music|Pop]]<ref>{{cite news |last1=Bhasin |first1=Shriya |title=On Kishore Kumar's death anniversary, listen to these 10 evergreen songs by the irreplaceable gem |url=https://www.indiatvnews.com/entertainment/celebrities/on-kishore-kumar-death-anniversary-listen-to-these-10-evergreen-songs-by-the-irreplaceable-gem-740093 |access-date=20 April 2022 |work=India TV News |language=en}}</ref>

'''Kishore Kumar''' (born '''Abhas Kumar Ganguly'''; {{audio|Kishore Kumar pronunciation.ogg|pronunciation}}; 4 August 1929 – 13 October 1987) was an Indian [[playback singer]] and actor.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Valicha|first1=Kishor|title=Kishore Kumar: The Definitive Biography|date=1 April 2001|publisher=Penguin Books|location=Mumbai|isbn=0140278222|edition=1st|url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/4443218-kishore-kumar|access-date=16 December 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140808112521/http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/4443218-kishore-kumar|archive-date=8 August 2014|url-status=live}}</ref> He is widely regarded as one of the greatest, most influential and dynamic singers in the history of Indian music.<ref name="TOI2017"/><ref>*"Remembering Kishore Kumar: Unforgettable Jewels from India’s Greatest Playback Singer" https://www.news18.com/amp/news/movies/remembering-kishore-kumar-unforgettable-jewels-from-indias-greatest-playback-singer-2755463.html

*https://m.timesofindia.com/home/sunday-times/deep-focus/unforgettable-kishore/articleshow/2435600.cms

*https://www.hindustantimes.com/music/the-legend-of-kishore-kumar-why-he-remains-relevant-even-today/story-yS95qQmejzEBIlpacKVexN.html

</ref>

He was one of the most popular singers in the [[Indian subcontinent]], notable for his [[yodeling]] and ability to sing songs in different voices.<ref>{{cite news |title=Kishore Kumar inspired Ayushmann Khurrana to attempt 'Dream Girl' |url=https://www.freepressjournal.in/amp/entertainment/kishore-kumar-inspired-ayushmann-khurrana-to-attempt-dream-girl |access-date=20 April 2022 |agency=IANS |work=Free Press Journal |date=13 October 2020 |language=en}}</ref> He used to sing in different genres but some of his rare compositions, considered classics, were lost in time.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Vittal |first1=Balaji |last2=Bhattacharjee |first2=Anirudha |title=Lost in the winds: Kishore Kumar's unsung ventures |url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/kishore-kumars-legacy-as-a-filmmaker/article24623463.ece |access-date=20 April 2022 |work=The Hindu |date=7 August 2018 |language=en-IN}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/english/music/news/kishore-kumar-is-always-missed-lata-mangeshkar-on-his-birth-anniversary/articleshow/59915417.cms | title=Kishore Kumar is always missed: Lata Mangeshkar on his birth anniversary | author=ANI | date=4 August 2017 | newspaper=The Times of India | access-date=9 May 2018 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180509152334/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/english/music/news/kishore-kumar-is-always-missed-lata-mangeshkar-on-his-birth-anniversary/articleshow/59915417.cms | archive-date=9 May 2018 | url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="auto1">{{cite web|title=Kishore Kumar, whose birthday falls today, eclipsed even his greatest contemporaries in Bollywood|url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/entertainment/kishore-kumar-whose-91st-birthday-falls-today-eclipsed-even-his-greatest-contemporaries-in-bollywood-121989|access-date=22 September 2020|website=Tribuneindia News Service|language=en|archive-date=28 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200928184154/https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/entertainment/kishore-kumar-whose-91st-birthday-falls-today-eclipsed-even-his-greatest-contemporaries-in-bollywood-121989|url-status=live}}</ref> According to his brother and legendary actor [[Ashok Kumar]], Kishore Kumar was successful as a singer because his "voice hits the mike, straight, at its most sensitive point".<ref>{{cite web |last=Bharatan |first=Raju |date=13 October 2000 |url=http://www.rediff.com/entertai/2000/oct/13kumar.htm |work=Rediff.com |title=Movies: Remembering Kishore Kumar |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051112231845/http://www.rediff.com/entertai/2000/oct/13kumar.htm |archive-date=12 November 2005 |access-date=6 November 2018}}</ref>

Besides [[Hindi]], he sang in many other Indian languages, including [[Bengali language|Bengali]], [[Marathi language|Marathi]], [[Assamese language|Assamese]], [[Gujarati language|Gujarati]], [[Kannada]], [[Bhojpuri]], [[Malayalam]], [[Odia language|Odia]] and [[Urdu]].<ref>{{cite web|author=India.com News Desk |url=https://www.india.com/entertainment/kishore-kumar-birth-anniversary-some-weird-facts-you-must-know-about-the-romantic-singer-3203993/ |title=Kishore Kumar Birth Anniversary: Some Weird Facts You Must Know About The Romantic Singer |website=India.com |date= |access-date=8 January 2022}}</ref> He also released a few non-film albums in multiple languages, especially in Bengali, which are noted as all-time classics.<ref name="Profile">{{cite web |title=Kishore Kumar: Movies, Photos, Videos, News, Biography & Birthday |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/topic/kishore-kumar |website=The Times of India |access-date=20 April 2022 |language=en}}</ref>

He won 8 Filmfare Awards for Best Male Playback Singer and holds the record for winning the most [[Filmfare Awards]] in that category.<ref name="Profile"/> He was awarded the [[Lata Mangeshkar Award]] by the [[Madhya Pradesh]] government in 1985.

In 1997, the [[Madhya Pradesh]] Government initiated an award called the "Kishore Kumar Award" for contributions to [[Bollywood|Hindi cinema]]. In 2012, his unreleased last song sold for {{Indian Rupee}}15.6 [[lakh]] at the Osian's Cinefan Auction in [[New Delhi]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Sinha |first1=Meenakshi |title=Kishore's last song fetches Rs 15.6 lakh at Delhi auction |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/Kishores-last-song-fetches-Rs-15-6-lakh-at-Delhi-auction/articleshow/15319936.cms |access-date=20 April 2022 |work=The Times of India |date=4 August 2012 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Kishore Kumar song rights, Umrao Jaan ring in vintage cinema auction |url=https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/news/variety/kishore-kumar-song-rights-umrao-jaan-ring-in-vintage-cinema-auction/article64193935.ece |access-date=20 April 2022 |agency=PTI |work=Business Line |date=5 July 2012 |language=en}}</ref><ref name="filmibeat.com">{{cite web|url=https://www.filmibeat.com/music/indian/2012/kishore-kumar-last-song-auctioned-097140.html|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20180523095751/https://www.filmibeat.com/music/indian/2012/kishore-kumar-last-song-auctioned-097140.html|archive-date=23 May 2018|url-status=dead|title=Kishore Kumar's last song to be auctioned|date=5 July 2012|website=Filmibeat.com}}</ref>

Kumar played the lead in the Bombay Talkies film ''Andolan'' (1951), directed by [[Phani Majumdar]]. Although he got some acting assignments with the help of his brother, he was more interested in becoming a singer. But Ashok wanted Kumar to be an actor like him.<ref name="ToI_Avijit_unforgettable">{{cite news | url = http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2007-10-07/special-report/27979966_1_kishore-kumar-kishoreda-voice | title = Unforgettable Kishore | author = Ghosh, Avijit | newspaper = [[The Times of India]] | date = 7 October 2007 | access-date = 7 October 2007 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130731041154/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2007-10-07/special-report/27979966_1_kishore-kumar-kishoreda-voice | archive-date = 31 July 2013 | url-status = dead }}</ref> Between 1946 and 1955, Kumar appeared in 22 films of which 16 were flops and since he was disinterested in taking up acting as a career, he would find ways to be in the bad books of the director or producer, so that they throw him from their films. It was only after the success of films such as ''[[Ladki]]'', ''[[Naukari]]'', ''Miss Malaysia'', ''[[Char Paise]]'' and ''[[Baap Re Baap (1955 film)|Baap Re Baap]]'' that Kumar developed an interest in acting seriously, which resulted in him having successful films as the lead actor between 1955 and 1966.<ref>[https://www.hindustantimes.com/music/the-legend-of-kishore-kumar-why-he-remains-relevant-even-today/story-yS95qQmejzEBIlpacKVexN.html The legend of Kishore Kumar: Why he remains relevant even today | music] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180506035806/https://www.hindustantimes.com/music/the-legend-of-kishore-kumar-why-he-remains-relevant-even-today/story-yS95qQmejzEBIlpacKVexN.html |date=6 May 2018 }}. Hindustan Times (22 April 2016). Retrieved 6 November 2018.</ref>

Kishore Kumar is credited with the highest number of multi-singer and male duet hits with the finest singers of different eras. Kishore Kumar sang the highest number of duets with [[Asha Bhosle]] (687 duets). He also sang duets with [[Lata Mangeshkar]], [[Mohammed Rafi]], [[Manna Dey]], [[Mahendra Kapoor]], [[Geeta Dutt]], [[Sulakshana Pandit]], [[S. Janaki]] etc.

"On the morning of October 13 (the day Kishore Kumar passed away in 1987), he looked pale and as though in deep sleep. As I went near him, he woke up and asked, ‘Did you get scared? Today is my holiday’.” That day he had several meetings at home. During lunch he told me that we’d watch the film [[River of No Return]] in the evening. A little later, I heard him move furniture in the next room. When I went to see what was happening, I saw him lying on the bed. Nervously he said, ‘I’m feeling weak’. I ran to call the doctor. He got angry and said, ‘If you call the doctor, I’ll get a heart-attack’. Those were his last lines. His eyes were wide open and he was breathing out. I thought he was fooling as usual but that was the end."<ref name="bollywoodshaadis1">{{Cite web|url=https://www.bollywoodshaadis.com/articles/women-in-kishore-kumars-life-9395|title=Kishore Kumar's Tragic Love Life: Married 4 Popular Actresses But Was An Unhappy Man And Died At 58|website=BollywoodShaadis.com|date=11 May 2021|access-date=10 January 2022}}</ref>

Singers like [[Kumar Sanu]], [[Ayushmann Khurrana]], [[Vinod Rathod]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.indiatvnews.com/entertainment/bollywood/vinod-rathod-new-album-tribute-to-kishore-kumar-16093.html|title=Vinod Rathod's new album a tribute to Kishore-da|date=2 August 2014|website=Indiatvnews.com}}</ref> [[Abhijeet Bhattacharya]], [[Amit Kumar]], [[Sudesh Bhosale]] were influenced by Kishore Kumar's style of singing.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/ayushmann-khurrana-regrets-never-getting-to-meet-kishore-kumar-he-is-has-been-and-will-always-be-my-guru-101627053134925.html|title=Ayushmann Khurrana regrets never getting to meet Kishore Kumar: 'He is, has been and will always be my guru.|date=23 July 2021|website=Hindustan Times}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mid-day.com/entertainment/bollywood-news/article/kumar-sanu-pays-tribute-to-kishore-kumar-15104094|title=Kumar Sanu pays tribute to Kishore Kumar|date=19 February 2014|website=Mid-day.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/bengali/music/amit-kumars-special-tribute-to-father-kishore-kumar-on-his-birth-anniversary/articleshow/85071854.cms|title=Amit Kumar's special tribute to father Kishore Kumar on his birth anniversary - Times of India|website=The Times of India}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x2gjryc|title=I couldn't even thank Kishore Da: Abhijeet - video Dailymotion|date=6 February 2015|website=Dailymotion}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.indiaforums.com/article/this-show-is-more-of-a-tribute-to-kishoreda-sudesh-bhonsale_3226|title='This show is more of a tribute to Kishoreda' - Sudesh Bhonsale|website=India Forums}}</ref>  Many other singers like [[Mohit Chauhan]], [[Shantanu Mukherjee|Shaan]], [[Neeti Mohan]], [[Shilpa Rao]], [[Sunidhi Chauhan]], [[KK (singer)|KK]] have been inspired by Kumar.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Mohit Chauhan Will Not Recreate Kishore Kumar Tracks; Calls It 'Blasphemy' |url=https://www.outlookindia.com/website/story/entertainment-news-mohit-chauhan-refused-to-recreate-kishor-kumar-tracks-did-you-know-kumar-refused-to-cover-kl-saigal-songs/399540/amp |access-date=20 April 2022 |magazine=Outlook |date=2 November 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dnaindia.com/lifestyle/report-the-kishore-kumar-magic-1418641 |title=The Kishore Kumar magic |work=DNA |date=21 November 2013 |access-date=8 January 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|author=IANS |url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ians/shaan-to-pay-tribute-to-kishore-kumar-on-the-voice-india-kids-116102200742_1.html |title=Shaan to pay tribute to Kishore Kumar on 'The Voice India Kids' &#124; Business Standard News |newspaper=Business Standard India |publisher=Business-standard.com |date= 22 October 2016|access-date=8 January 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/music/bappi-lahiri-shaan-and-neeti-mohan-tell-us-why-retro-music-is-so-popular/story-ZZDb9FsQ8CilgNOiH2vRrO.html |title=Bappi Lahiri, Shaan and Neeti Mohan tell us why retro music is so popular |newspaper=[[Hindustan Times]] |date= 27 April 2016|access-date=8 January 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=KK never learned singing, was inspired by Kishore Kumar: 8 lesser known facts about the Pal singer |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/music/singer-kk-passes-away-lesser-known-facts-7946320/ |access-date=1 June 2022 |work=The Indian Express |date=1 June 2022 |language=en}}</ref>

There have been appeals to the Government of India to honour the singer-actor posthumously with Bharat Ratna(India's Highest Civilian Award).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/bharat-ratna-demand-for-kishore-kumar/articleshow/59908618.cms|title=Bharat Ratna for Kishore Kumar: Bharat Ratna demand for Kishore Kumar &#124; Kolkata News - Times of India|website=The Times of India}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/bhopal/mp-online-push-for-bharat-ratna-to-kishore-kumar/story-ZtHyrowwzki8qalXQqiSuI.html |title=MP: Online push for Bharat Ratna to Kishore Kumar |publisher=Hindustan Times |date=27 July 2016 |access-date=8 January 2022}}</ref>

[[Manna Dey]] his contemporary once said that “Kishore had the best voice of all playback singers. He made singing sound so effortless. He had no classical training but could surpass me in a song because of his wonderful musical instinct and natural singing flair.”<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://rotarynewsonline.org/kishore-kumar-the-delightful-yodeller/|title=Kishore Kumar, the delightful yodeller|first=S. R.|last=Madhu|website=Rotarynewsonline.org|date=1 October 2020|access-date=10 January 2022}}</ref>

::I did several films with Kishore Kumar. He was always full of fun and frolic. You couldn’t really predict what he was up to. It was wonderful working with him. Being a singer, he was so quick in his rhythm and quick in his reflexes while dancing. It was easy to match his steps and he was comfortable with me too. He used to tell me, ‘Aap to taal mein karte hai sab to bahut hi achha lagta hai mujhe. Betaali ho jati hai to mushkil padta hai.’ (It’s nice that you dance in rhythm. It’s difficult if rhythms don’t match.)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.filmfare.com//interviews/vyjayanthimala-dancing-queen-180.html|title=Vyjayanthimala: Dancing Queen|website=filmfare.com}}</ref>

* The Bengali drama movie [[Kishore Kumar Junior]] directed by [[Kaushik Ganguly]] was dedicated to Kumar and his fans.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://scroll.in/reel/893904/meet-the-kishore-kumar-fans-behind-new-film-people-are-still-looking-for-the-quality-of-his-voice|title=Meet the Kishore Kumar fans behind new film: 'People are still looking for the quality of his voice'|first=Devarsi|last=Ghosh|website=Scroll.in|access-date=10 January 2022}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |first=Shamayita |last=Chakraborty |date=15 October 2018 |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/bengali/movies/news/a-grand-tribute-to-kishore-kumar/articleshow/66213705.cms |title=A grand tribute to Kishore Kumar |newspaper=[[The Times of India]] |access-date=10 January 2022}}</ref>

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