Kishore Kumar: The Man with the Golden Voice
Ranked #8,069 in Music, #213,809 overall
Thanks to the Income Tax Department
This probably is the only occasion when everyone will thank the Income Tax department. That Kishore Kumar became a phenomenon is thanks to the I-T raids for unpaid taxes. Previous to this, Kishore sang only for his good friend Devanand and himself. Since he needed the money he signed to sing for Aradhana as Rajesh Khanna's playback. The rest as they say is history. The film, Aradhana, released in 1969 went on to be a super-duper hit and produced two superstars, Rajesh Khanna and Kishore Kumar. Why Kishore was reluctant no one knows. His pre-Aradhana songs were extremely popular, but then he was also known to be eccentric to the extreme. So ours is not to ask why. This lens showcases 25 of his absolutely stunning songs. Enjoy.
But first, collector's items
When Kishore first came into the film industry, he wanted to be an actor, following his elder brother, Ashok Kumar's footsteps, who was an established actor by then. Giving a newcomer a chance to act because he has a backing is one thing, giving him a chance to sing too is quite another. So, guess who was the playback for Kishore? Rafi, who else? Listen to some such songs.
Kishore Kumar: Pre-Aradhana Days 1951-1958
Here are those songs that Kishore Kumar sang for Devanand and himself. They are very melodious and many of the songs became very popular. But those days Rafo was ruling the roost. Added to this was Kishore's insistence that he sing only for himself. The only person he reluctantly lent his voice was his good friend Devanand.
Controversy, 1950s style
The song 'akhon mein kya ji' has the line: 'aanchal mein kya ji, ajab si halchal'. The 'ajab si halchal' was considered to have double meaning and there was a hue and cry about the falling standards of Hindi lyrics. Hmmm. Fast forward to 'Choli Ke Peeche Kya Hai'.
Madhubala looks beautiful even when she is crying.
Kishore's voice sounds just as golden even with a paan in his mouth.
And piano used to be the musical instrument of choice for romance in a crowded room...
Kishore: Aradhana
Aradhana has songs by both Rafi and Kishore. All the songs, sung by both Rafi and Kishore became very popular. But after this Kishore became a force to reckon with. Rafi slowly started losing his edge. It was only many years afterwards that Rafi made a big comeback with the song Kya Hua Tera Wada. Listen to the three Aradhana songs sung by Kishore. Kishore became the voice of Rajesh Khanna.
Mini Quiz
Rajesh Khanna upon hearing that Kishore is going to sing a few songs for him went to his house and told him to sing such that people go mad with delirium. Rajesh Khanna was trying to find a toehold in the industry and was desperately looking for a hit. Gods were listening.
This happened when I was in college, many years after the Safar songs. My friend who has a wonderful ear for music (and is currently learning Hindustani Classical) asked me if the songs were sung by Manna Dey. This I thought was an ultimate compliment.
Transition of superstars come with change in popular playback. Rafi dominated after the fall of Saigal and rise of Dilip Kumar. Kishore took over when Rajesh Khanna came in. However, Kishore effortlessly straddled the transition of the romantic Rajesh Khanna to the action hero Amitabh Bachchan.
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by Amitabh1702
Film music is an integral part of Indian Culture. Indian Films evolved from ancient Sanskrit Drama form that emphasised music as the means of expressi... more »
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