'The Voice India Kids' mentors pay tribute to Kishore Kumar
Popular singers Shaan, Neeti Mohan and Shekhar Ravjiani of 'The Voice India Kids' paid a musical tribute to the Indian-cinematic legend ahead of his 87th birthday which falls on Thursday. The mentors along with the contestants of the show sang Kishore's songs and played 'Antakshari'. Later, contestants visited a radio-station to celebrate Kishore Kumar's birth-anniversary where they were joined by his son Amit Kumar.
Born as Abhas Kumar Ganguly, Kishore Kumar started his career with acting in the film Shikari in 1946. Apart from being an unmatched singer, he was an equally good actor, music composer, lyricist, screenwriter, producer and a filmmaker. He was an ardent admirer of legendary singer KL Saigal whom he aped initially. In 1950s, his singing ability was discovered by music director SD Burman.
Kishore sang his first song 'Chhota sa ghar hoga' in the movie 'Naukri', which incidentally featured him as the lead actor. His style of singing featured 'yodelling' which he had heard on the records of Tex Morton and Jimmie Rodgers. He was known as the 'Voice of Rajesh Khanna'. He sang for almost all superstars like the Kapoors, Amitabh Bachchan, Jeetendra, Dharmendra,Dev Anand etc.
Kishore Kumar was thought of as an eccentric man with multiple obsessions and paranoias. Despite his enormous popularity, he remained extremely humble which came across as insecurity sometimes. He married thrice before finding true happiness with his fourth wife Leena Chandavarkar. Towards the end, he became increasingly disillusioned with the film industry and turned into a recluse. He passed away aged 58 in 1987.
Khalid Mohammed, in his book The Sad and the Glad of Kishore Kumar wrote- "Kishore Kumar was considered eccentric sometimes, sometimes a genius. The truth perhaps lay in between" and the documentary Zindagi Ek Safar: Kishore Kumar, both sum up Kishore Kumar's life perfectly.
Hits like Tere Bina Zindagi Se (Aandhi), Bheegi Bheegi Raaton Mein (Ajnabee), Chookar Mere Man Ko(Yaarana), Dekha Ek Khwab(Silsila), Yeh Sham Mastani(Kati Patang), Kya Yehi Pyar Hai(Rocky), Inteha Ho Gayi(Sharaabi), Gaata Rahe Mera Dil(Guide) and many more continue to resonate with the listeners even today.
