A special day dawns on yoodleeyoo every year on August 4, when all Kishore Kumar fans, fondly remember him as an actor, lyricist, composer, producer rolled into one, who sang romantic to sad to soulful to motivating to classical to patriotic and to ghazals, showing tremendous variety in his eternal voice.
With seven Filmfare awards and thousands of songs in about 10 languages to his credit, he was (rather is) an institution. Born on August 4,1929 at Khandwa in MP, he got his first break in Khemchand Prakash’s film 'Ziddi' (1948). He also acted in 'Bombay Talkies' 'Andolan' in 1951. Music director S. D. Burman is credited with advancing his singing career. With his versatility and soulful voice, Kishore Kumar, the legend lives on and those who were associated with him have a string of memories about him.
Veteran Music Director Bappi Lahiri
“I consider Kishoreda’s birth anniversary as an auspicious day and feel that music lovers will agree with me on this point. Kishoreda was the one and the only singer having his distinct style of singing. I am proud and fortunate to have scored music for his songs nearly for a decade. His voice suited many actors including Dev Anand, Dharmendra, Mithun Chakraborty, Amitabh Bachchan and many more.”
“I like all his songs. Among the songs for which I composed the music and which I like most include: 'Chalte Chalte Mere Yeh Geet' (Chalte Chalte,1976), 'He takee o takee takee takee re, jabase too aankho me jhankee' (Himmatwala, 1983), 'Manzilein Apni Jagha Hain' (Sharabi, 1984) and 'Ek aankh marun toh rasta ruk jaaye' (Tohfa, 1984). 'Guru Guru Aa Jao Guru' (Wakt ki Awaz, 1988) with Asha Bhosale was his last song for which I scored the music. All that we can do is to listen to his songs and remember his eternal voice.”
Veteran Lyricist Yogesh
Kishore Kumar was jovial and at the same time a very serious person. Although the people describe as a funny character, he was a serious thinker and a keen observer. During the recording of the song 'Guzar Jaye Din' (Annadata, 1971), Kishore Kumar wanted to sing the song sitting on a bicycle. But it was not feasible. Eventually he sat on mounted cushions, shook his legs as if he is riding a bicycle and completed the recording”.
“I was with Kishore Kumar for a very long duration during the shooting of his unreleased movie 'Pyar Ajanabi Hai' starring his wife Leena Chandavarkar, Shammi Kapoor and others. I was writing a song and he was staring at me. When he inquired what I was doing, I told him that I was writing a song. But he insisted and made me scribble a few dialogues, which were used in the film. But unfortunately the film never saw the light of the day. Kishore Kumar was a very helpful and accommodative person”.
“We worked together in 16 movies, the most popular among them are 'Agni Pariksha', 'Hamari Bahu Alka', 'Shaukeen','Manzil', 'Baton Baton Mein' and 'Chala Murari Hero Banne'.
Singer Suresh Wadkar
“Artists like Kishore Kumar are rare. Absolutely versatile, helpful and simultaneously jovial and moody. I remember the recording of a song 'Foot Pathon Ke Hum', (Mashaal,1984) Music: Hridayanath Mangeshkar). Anup Jalota, Hariharan, Sailendra Singh and myself were to sing with Kishore. But looking at us he said If so many of you are here, then I am not required to be here. Then he walked out of recording studio, making all of us to swear that we will not disclose where he has gone. Eventually the director had to persuade him and bring him back. I worked with Kishore Kumar in nearly 38 movies which included: 'Rukhsat', 'Dacait', 'Karma', 'Kaanch Ki Deewar', 'Angaaray' and 'Sanjog'.