Kishore Kumar (born Abhas Kumar Ganguly; 4 August 1929 – 13 October 1987) was an Indian playback singer, musician and actor. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest, most influential and dynamic singers in the history of Indian music. Kumar was one of the most popular singers in the Indian subcontinent, notable for his yodeling and ability to sing songs in different voices. He used to sing in different genres but some of his rare compositions, considered classics, were lost in time.
Besides Hindi, he sang in many other Indian languages, including Bengali, Marathi, Assamese, Gujarati, Kannada, Bhojpuri, Malayalam, Odia and Urdu. He also released a few non-film albums in multiple languages, especially in Bengali, which are noted as all-time classics. According to his brother and legendary actor Ashok Kumar, Kishore Kumar was successful as a singer because his “voice hits the mike, straight, at its most sensitive point”.
Kumar was also active in acting too. His first film appearance was in Shikari (1946), in which his brother, Ashok played the lead role. Kumar played his first lead in the Bombay Talkies film Andolan (1951). Although he got some acting assignments with the help of his brother, he was more interested in becoming a singer. After the success of films such as Ladki, Char Paise and Baap Re Baap that Kumar developed an interest in acting seriously, which resulted in him having successful films as the lead actor between 1955 and 1966. Kumar starred in Bimal Roy’s Naukari (1954) and Hrishikesh Mukherjee’s directorial debut Musafir (1957).
As an actor, his best period was between 1954 and 1968. He won 8 Filmfare Award for Best Male Playback Singer out of 28 nominations and holds the record for winning and nominating the most Filmfare Awards in that category. He was awarded the Lata Mangeshkar Award by the Madhya Pradesh government in 1985. In 1997, the Madhya Pradesh Government initiated an award called the “Kishore Kumar Award” for contributions to Hindi cinema. In 2012, his unreleased last song sold for ₹15.6 lakh at the Osian’s Cinefan Auction in New Delhi.
Filmography
Main article: Kishore Kumar filmography
Awards
Kumar on a 2003 stamp of India
Filmfare Awards
Won:
| Year | Song | Film | Music director | Lyricist |
| 1970 | “Roop Tera Mastana” | Aradhana | Sachin Dev Burman | Anand Bakshi |
| 1976 | “Dil Aisa Kisi Ne Mera” | Amanush | Shyamal Mitra | Indeevar |
| 1979 | “Khaike Paan Banaras Wala” | Don | Kalyanji Anandji | Anjaan |
| 1981 | “Hazaar Raahen Mudke Dekheen” | Thodisi Bewafaii | Khayyam | Gulzar |
| 1983 | “Pag Ghungroo Baandh” | Namak Halaal | Bappi Lahiri | Anjaan |
| 1984 | “Agar Tum Na Hote” | Agar Tum Na Hote | Rahul Dev Burman | Gulshan Bawra |
| 1985 | “Manzilein Apni Jagah Hain” | Sharaabi | Bappi Lahiri | Prakash Mehra |
| 1986 | “Saagar Kinaare” | Saagar | Rahul Dev Burman | Javed Akhtar |
Nominated:
| Year | Song | Film | Music Director | Lyricist |
| 1971 | “Zindagi Ek Safar” | Andaz | Shankar Jaikishan | Hasrat Jaipuri |
| 1971 | “Yeh Jo Mohabbat Hai” | Kati Patang | Rahul Dev Burman | Anand Bakshi |
| 1972 | “Chingari Koi Bhadke” | Amar Prem | Rahul Dev Burman | Anand Bakshi |
| 1973 | “Mere Dil Mein Aaj” | Daag: A Poem of Love | Laxmikant–Pyarelal | Sahir Ludhianvi |
| 1974 | “Gaadi Bula Rahi Hai” | Dost | Laxmikant–Pyarelal | Anand Bakshi |
| 1974 | “Mera Jeevan Kora Kagaz” | Kora Kagaz | Kalyanji Anandji | M.G.Hashmat |
| 1975 | “Main Pyaasa Tum” | Faraar | Kalyanji Anandji | Rajendra Krishan |
| 1975 | “O Manjhi Re” | Khushboo | Rahul Dev Burman | Gulzar |
| 1977 | “Aap Ke Anurodh” | Anurodh | Laxmikant–Pyarelal | Anand Bakshi |
| 1978 | “O Saathi Re” | Muqaddar Ka Sikandar | Kalyanji Anandji | Anjaan |
| 1978 | “Hum Bewafa Harghiz” | Shalimar | Rahul Dev Burman | Anand Bakshi |
| 1979 | “Ek Rasta Hai Zindagi” | Kaala Patthar | Rajesh Roshan | Sahir Ludhianvi |
| 1980 | “Om Shanti Om” | Karz | Laxmikant–Pyarelal | Anand Bakshi |
| 1981 | “Hameh Tumse Pyar” | Kudrat | Rahul Dev Burman | Majrooh Sultanpuri |
| 1981 | “Chhookar Mere Mann Ko” | Yaraana | Rajesh Roshan | Anjaan |
| 1983 | “Shayad Meri Shaadi” | Souten | Usha Khanna | Sawan Kumar Tak |
| 1984 | “De De Pyar De” | Sharaabi | Bappi Lahiri | Anjaan |
| 1984 | “Inteha Ho Gayi” | Sharaabi | Bappi Lahiri | Anjaan |
| 1984 | “Log Kehete Hai (Mujhe Naulakha Manga De)” | Sharaabi | Bappi Lahiri | Anjaan |
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