Kishore Kumar

Kishore Kumar (born August 4, 1929, Khandwa, British India—died October 13, 1987, Bombay [now Mumbai]) was a legendary Indian playback singer, composer, actor, and director. Celebrated for his uniquely expressive and versatile singing voice, Kumar recorded more than 2,500 songs in several Indian languages and sang for many of Bollywood’s top screen actors in a career spanning nearly four decades. His comic roles in films of the 1950s and ’60s remain widely popular.

Early life and acting debut

Abhas Kumar Ganguly was the youngest child of a Bengali family that had settled in west-central India, in what is now the state of Madhya Pradesh. As a teenager, he got a job in Bombay (now Mumbai) as an occasional chorus singer at the Bombay Talkies film studio, where his brother Ashok Kumar (born Kumudlal Kunjilal Ganguly) was the reigning star. He adopted the name Kishore Kumar to match that of his brother. Although his heart was in singing, the younger Kumar made his acting debut in the 1946 film Shikari (“Hunter”) and secured his first lead role in Andolan (1951; “Agitation”).

Career as an actor

Kumar appeared chiefly in slapstick and romantic comedies, which revealed his flair both for humorous roles and for singing, as Kumar would often also record songs for the films in which he starred. His notable acting credits from the 1950s include Naukri (1954; “Job”), New Delhi (1956), and Musafir (1957; “Traveler”). In 1958 Kumar delivered one of his most memorable performances, in Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi (1958; “That Which Runs Is a Car”), in which he starred with Madhubala and his two brothers, Anoop and Ashok Kumar.

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Kumar appeared in several films in the 1960s, including the 1968 laugh riot Padosan (“Neighbor”), in which he reached his peak as a singer-actor. In addition, he directed a few films in which he also starred, including the dramas Door Gagan Ki Chhaon Mein (1964; “Far Away in the Refuge of the Sky”) and Door Ka Raahi (1971; “The Distant Traveler”) and the comedy Badhti Ka Naam Dadhi (1974; “That Which Grows Is a Beard”).

Versatile vocalist

Kumar had no formal musical training but was a naturally talented singer who used colorful timbral effects—such as yodeling—in his vocalizations. He collaborated with several prominent composers of his time, including S.D. Burman, R.D. Burman, Bappi Lahiri, and the musical duos Kalyanji-Anandji and Laxmikant-Pyarelal, which resulted in a diverse discography. Kumar equally excelled at romantic songs, such as “Ek Ajnabee Haseena Se” (“With One Unknown Beauty”) in Ajanabee (1974; “Stranger”) and “Humein Tumse Pyaar Kitna” (“How Much I Love You”) in Kudrat (1981; “Nature”), and at soulful songs, such as “Chingari Koi Bhadke” (“When Someone Ignites a Spark”) in Amar Prem (1972; “Immortal Love”) and “Mere Naina Saawan Bhaado” (“My Eyes Cry like a Monsoon”) in Mehbooba (1976; “Beloved”).

Kumar’s skills as a vocalist perhaps found their best expression in his comic songs, such as “Shing Nei Tobu Naam Taar Shingho” (“Has No Horns but Its Name Is Lion”) in the Bengali film Lukochuri (1958; “Hide and Seek”), “Chil Chil Chilla Ke” (“By Screaming”) in Half Ticket (1962), and “Ek Chatur Naar” (“One Clever Woman”) in Padosan. Kumar’s ability to bring animation to such comic renditions is still regarded as unparalleled. He also sang semiclassical numbers, such as “Pag Ghunghroo Baandh” (“Wearing Anklet Bells”) in Namak Halaal (1982; “Faithful”), and qawwalis, such as “Qurbani Qurbani” (“Sacrifice”) in Qurbani (1980).

Duets

Kumar was frequently paired with singer Asha Bhosle, and the two musical powerhouses sang such classic duets as “Haal Kaisa Hai Janab Ka” (“How Is Mister Doing?”) in Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi, “Ek Main Aur Ek Tu” (“There’s One Me and One You”) in Khel Khel Mein (1975; “While Playing”), and “Inteha Ho Gayi Intezaar Ki” (“The Wait Is Over”) in Sharaabi (1984; “Drunkard”). His notable duets with playback singer Lata Mangeshkar include “Gaata Rahe Mera Dil” (“My Heart Keeps Singing”) in The Guide (1965), “Jai Jai Shiv Shankar” (“Hail Shiv Shankar”) in Aap Ki Kasam (1974; “Swearing by You”), and “Dekha Ek Khwaab” (“I Had a Dream”) in Silsila (1981; “Dilemma”). Kumar also worked with male singers, such as Mohammad Rafi, Mukesh, and Manna Dey. In 1977 the film Amar Akbar Anthony brought together Kumar, Rafi, Mukesh, and Mangeshkar for the track “Humko Tumse Ho Gaya Hai Pyaar” (“I Have Fallen in Love with You”).

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Singing for Bollywood’s leading actors

Kumar lent his voice to Bollywood’s top stars. He sang in many of Rajesh Khanna’s hit films, such as Aradhana (1969; “Prayer”), Kati Patang (1971; “The Severed Kite”), Amar Prem, and Ajanabee (1974). Moreover, he was the playback singer for Dev Anand in such films as Munimji (1955), Nau Do Gyarah (1957; “Nine Two Eleven”), and Jewel Thief (1967). Several films starring Amitabh Bachchan, including Don (1978), Namak Halaal, and Satte Pe Satta (1982; “Seven on Seven”) also used Kumar’s voice.

Personal life

Kumar was married to Bengali actress Ruma Guha Thakurta from 1950 to 1958. Their son, Amit Kumar, is a popular singer-composer. In 1960 Kumar married his frequent costar Madhubala. The couple were together until her death in 1969, although their marriage was allegedly troubled. His third marriage, to actress Yogeeta Bali, lasted two years (1976–78). Kumar married actress Leena Chandavarkar in 1980, and they remained together until Kumar’s death in 1987. The couple produced a son, Sumeet Kumar.