Musings of a retired Govt. Servant

KISHORE KUMAR-A VOICE OF STAINLESS GOLD

I choose Kishore kumar as the subject of my first article on music. Kishore's is the voice that made me drawn to Hindi film songs. I don't know Hindi and could not understand even a single word in Hindi. Yet in the 60's when I was studying in college I started listening Hindi songs. I was not a great fan of Tamil songs those days. But I was rather attracted to Western music. During those days we had a Murphy Radio. Western music was broadcasted In the All India Radio on Saturday's night in a Progamme called Listeners's Choice. I just started listening to Gene Vincent's songs. Gene Vincent is famous for yodling. Probably this yodeling style of Kishore got me attracted to him. Though later I enjoyed listening to Rafi and Mukesh also. Kishore is the reason for my crazefor Hindi songs. That is why my preference for Kishore stands ahead of Rafi and Mukesh.

Kishore' music can be divided in to two parts. The first part belongs to the early 50', and late 60's and can be stretched up to 1968.The second part in his singing career starts from 1969 (i.e) when Aradhana was released.

In the 60'S it is S.D. Burman who brought the best out of Kishore. Who can forget the "Aar yaar meri" from Teen Deiyan. When Burman Dada used Kishore's voice for Dev Anand many hummable tunes followed.

Hum Hain Rahi PyarKe -Nao Dho Gyara-1951
Dukhi Man Mere-Funtooh-1956
Mana janab ne pukara- PayingGuest-1957
chhod do aanchal Zamana -withLatha -Paying Guest -1957
Gaata raha Mera dil- Guide -1965

Kishore has sung some beautiful numbers for other Music Directors also.

Hum mutwale Navjawan -Shararret -Shanker-Jaikishan
Zaroorat hai Manmauiji -Madan mohan
Mere mehhab quaamat hogi -Mr.X in Bombay Laxmikant-Pyarilal
Ajnabi tum Jaana Hum Sab Ustad Hai- Laxmikant-Pyarilal

Who Can forget his song in Padosen "Mere Samne walee khidiki mene" .

My Best Ten Songs From 1948-1968
Koi Humdum na raha -Jumdroo -1961
Hum Hain Rahi payar ke-Nao Do Gyarah -1957
Dukhi Man Mere Funtoosh -1956
Mana Janab Ne Pukara- Paying Guest -1957
Ajanabi tum Jaana -Hum Sab Ustad Hai -1965
Hum mutwale Navjawan -shararret -1959
Zaroorat hai -Manmauiji -1955
Mere mehhab quaamat hogi -Mr.X in Bombay 1964
Au Chalke Tuthe -Door GaganKi Chhaon Mein
Jeevan Ki Safar Mein Rahi -Funtoosh -1955
Mere Saamne Waali Khidki mein -Padosen 1968
Ek Ladki Bheegi Bhagi se -Chalthi Ka NaamGaadi

My Best Ten Duets (1948-1968)

Aare yaar meri - with Asha - Teen Deviyan
Likha hai teri aankhon Mein kiska -Asha - Teen Deviyan
Aankho mein kyajee - Asha - Nao Do Gyarah
Chhaod do anchal zamaana -Asha Paying Guest
Piya Piya Piya Mora Jiya- Asha -Baap re Baap
Gaata raha mera Dil -Latha- Guide
Yeh raaten yeh mausam- Asha- Dilli Ka Thug
Haal Kaise hai Janab ki- Asha- Chalti ka naam Gaadi
Main sitaron ka tarana- Asha- Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi
Chhado na meri zulfen- Latha- Gangi Ki Lehren

Kishore's second innings started from 1968. After Guide(1965) and Hum Sub Ustad Hai(1965) , Kishore has not had any worthwhile hits. He has sung some 'B' Grade movies that failed to make any impression as popular hits. Again it fell on S.D.Burman's hands to resurrect his career. He used Kishore's voice for Rajesh Khanna in Aradhana. The film opened with "Mere Sapnon Ki Rani Kab". What a great opening! Lovely Sharmila sitting on the train gazing out from the window with an Alistair MacLean book in her hand. Then comes our stylish Rajesh Khanna in a jeep on the road running parallel to the train singing "Mere Sapnon Ki Rani Kab". What a song? What a Voice? Hats off to Kishore ji. That song launched Rajesh Khanna's careeer and he went on to become a super star. That film has two more songs by Kishore. "Kora kagaz tha yeh man mera " a lovely duet with Latha and then again " Roop tera mastana". Incidently though S.D.Burman was the music director for Aradhana, actually his son R.D.Burman composed the song "Roop tera mastana" which fetched him his first filmfare award. R.D.Burman with his western music influnce had used Kishore to his fullest potential.A string of Hits followed, Padosen(1968). Pyar ka mausem(1969) Katipatang(1970) , Amar Prem (1971) Hare Rama Hara Krishana (1971), Jawani Dewani (1972) , Parichy(1972) , Anamika(1973) , Namak Harem(1973) , Aap Ki Kasam(1974) , Aandhi (1975) ,Khel khel mein (1975) Sholey(1975); and thus R.D. and Kishore become MADE for each other. Given below are some of the beautiful pieces that R.D.Burmen composed for Kishore.

Mere samnewalee kidke me- Padosen
Yeh sham mastani- Katipatang
Pyar deewana hota hai- ,,
Yeh jo muhabbat hai- ,,
Tum bin jaoon kahan- Pyar Ka Mausam
Chingari koi bhad ke- Amarprem
Kuchh to log kahaenga- ,,
Phoolon ka taron ke- Hare Rama Hare Krishana
Kanchi Re Kanchi- ,,
Agar saaz cheda- Jawani Diwani
Jane jan dhoond ken- ,,
Samene ye kaun aye- ,,
Musafir hoon yaron- Parichey
Meri bheegi bheegi se- Anamika
Diya jalte hein- Namak Karam
Jai jai shivasankar- Aap Ki Kasam
Suno kaha suna kahe- ,,
Tum aa gaya honor gaya- Aandhi
O saathi re- Muquddar ka sikander

List would become endless. I have given only the finest songs that caught my attention.

My best ten after 1968.

Roop tera mastana- Aradhana
Dil aesa kisina- Amanush
Chingari koi bhadke- Amarprem
Mera dil mein aaj kya hai- Daag
Roop tera aisa- Ek Bar Muskurae do
Phoolon ka taroon ke- Hare Rama Hare Krishana
Mera jeevan kora kagaz- Kora Kagaz
Geet Gaata Hoon main- Lal Pathar
Diya jalthea hein- Namak Harem
Musafir hoon yaron- Parichey

My Best Ten Duets After 1968

Kora kagaz tha yeh man mera- Aradhana
Acha to hum chalthe hein- Aan Milo Sajna
Tera bina zindagi Se- Aandhi
Suno kaha suna kahe- Aap Ki Kasam
Tere mere milan ke yen raina- Abhimann
Hum aur tum- Daag
Kanchi re kanchi- Hare Rama Hare Krishna
Jana jan dhoondi- Jawani Diwani
Bhool gaya sab kuchh- Julie
Hey maine kasam li- Tere Mere Sapne

I have restricted Kishore' songs to 1975. He has given some good hits in films like Muqaddar ka Sikander in later years. I am of the opinion that the Golden Age of Hindi songs have come to an end with the advent of purely action pictures. In an action picture, unlike romantic comedies, melody takes only a back seat.

Kishore has rendered classical and semi-classical songs soulfully. Just look out some of the songs based in Hindustani ragas. Kishore was not trained in classical music. Yet he gave such beautiful songs like,

Zindagi ka safar Aap Ki Kasam Raag Bihag
Koi hum dum Jhumroo Raag Jhinjhoti
Savere ka Ek Bhar Muskura Do Raag Kalyani
Kuch to log Amarprem Raag Khamaj

Kishore gave so much joy and immense pleasure to numerous listeners of Hindi songs and continue to give to those who listen to him through cassettes and C.D.'s.
In the words of Lord Byron, we can say, Kishoreda,

So the spirit bows before thee
To listen and adore thee
With a full but soft emotion.