By Jagmohan Singh Barhok
On His 36th Death Anniversary
धड़कनों ने सुनी, एक सदा पाँव की
और दिल पे लहराई, आँचल की छाँव सी
और दिल पे लहराई, आँचल की छाँव सी
ख़्वाब हो तुम या कोई हक़ीक़त
कौन हो तुम बतलाओ
ओ.. देर से कितनी दूर खड़ी हो
और करीब आ जाओ
Sadly enough, Abhas Kumar Ganguly , singer, actor, lyricist and music composer, commonly known as Kishore Kumar died of a heart attack on 13 October 1987 on his elder brother Ashok Kumar’s 76th Birthday. Married to Ruma Devi, Madhubala, Yogita Bali & Leena Chandawarkar, the actor-singer became a legend in his own right with hits like ‘Maana Janab Ne Pukara Nahin'(Paying Guest),’ Ek Ladki Bheegi Bhagi See, Bheegi Raaton Main Jaagi See’ (Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi-1957) ‘Mere Mehboob Qyamat Hogi,Aaj Ruswa Teri Galiyon Se Mohabbat Hogi’ (Mr X in Bombay- 1964),’Mere SapnoKi Rani Kab Aayegi Tu”( Aradhna-1969), ‘Shokhiyon Mein Ghola Jaaye’ (Prem Pujari'( 1969) ‘Zindagi Ek Safar Hai Suhana'( Andaz-1971), ‘Pal Pal Dil Ke Pass Tum Rehti Ho’ (Blackmailer-1973), ‘Main Tere Pyaar Main Pagal Aise Ghumta Hoon Jaise’ (Prem Bandhan-1979),’Hume Tumse Pyaar Kitna Yeh Hum Nahin Jante Magar Jee Nahin Sakte'( Kudrat-1981) & ‘Tera Pyaar Hai Kitna Pyara Kam Lagta Hai Jeevan Saara, Tere Milan Ki Lagan Main'( Janbaaz-1986) and last but not least ‘Gaata Rahe Mera Dil, Tu He Meri Manzil'( Guide-1965)featuring Waheeda Rehman & Kishore Sahu. Interestingly, ‘Guide’ received a leading nine nominations at the 14th Filmfare Awards and won seven awards including Best Film, Best Director, Best Actor and Best Actress Award.
Kishore lent his voice for Dev Anand in Munimji (1954), Taxi Driver (1954), House No. 44 (1955), Funtoosh (1956), Nau Do Gyarah (1957), Paying Guest (1957), Guide (1965), Jewel Thief (1967), Prem Pujari (1970), and Tere Mere Sapne (1971 under the baton S.D.Burman. “Ankhon Mein Kya Ji” from “Nau Do Gyarah” (1957), “Haal Kaisa Hai Janaab Ka”( Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi-1958)& ‘Arre Yaar Meri Tum Bhi Ho Gajab’ from “Teen Deviyan”(1965).
Kishore Kumaralso acted in many successful films like- Ladki (1953), Naukari (1954) , Bhai Bhai (1956), Aasha (1957), Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi (1958), Dilli Ka Thug (1958), Jaalsaaz (1959), Bombay Ka Chor (1962), Chacha Zindabad (1959) ‘Shararat'(1959), Man-Mauji (1962), Jhumroo (1961), Half Ticket (1962), Mr. X in Bombay (1964), Shreeman Funtoosh (1965), Ganga Ki Lahren (1964), Hum Sab Ustaad Hain (1965), Pyar Kiye Jaa (1966), and Padosan (1968).
As an actor, his best period was between 1954 and 1966. His onscreen chemistry with actresses Mala Sinha, Vyjayanthimala, Nutan, Madhubala and Kumkum produced some of the biggest hits in his career. Kishore Kumar was instrumental nay main force behind the phenomenal success of super star Rajesh Khanna. Kishore Kumar was asked to sing for an Indian National Congress rally in Bombay during emergency. On refusal he was banned from singing on AIR & Doordarshan until the emergency ended.
The celebrated singer received 27 nominations to win 8 for his most popular numbers- ‘Roop Tera Mastana’, ‘Dil Aisa Kisi Ne Mera’, ‘Khaike Paan Banaras Wala’, ‘Hazaar Raahen Mudke Dekheen’, ‘Pag Ghungroo Baandh’, ‘Agar Tum Na Hote’, ‘Manzilein Apni Jagah Hain’, ‘Saagar Kinaare’.
