Kishore Kumar Biography and Works.

Born as Abhas Kumar Ganguly on August 4, 1929, the great singer, popularly known as Kishore Kumar and affectionately called Kishore Da, was one of those very few singers who took risks and experimented with different styles of music.

Kishore was the youngest in the Ganguly family and preferred singing and mimicking, Kundanlal Saigal. Once SD Burman had come to Ashok Kumar’s house to meet him when he heard Kishore Kumar singing. He actually thought it was Saigal singing and inquired if he was there too. When he came to know that it was Kishore singing, he appreciated and encouraged young Kishore to continue refining his voice but at the same time, develop a style of his own. He, then, developed his own signature style.

He perfected yodeling In Hindi film industry, his yodeling turned out to be widely popular and became a trademark of Kishore Kumar. His songs sounded absolutely natural, like laughter.

Kishore Kumar used to incorporate non-sensical terms into his songs that gave it an entirely a new feel. The ability to transform his voice according to not just the scene, but also the actor is something that was truly incredible of Kishore. He has sung many songs for Bollywood films. He has sung soulful songs for Dev Anand and also fun-filled songs for Rajesh Khanna, the yesteryear superstar.

Kishore Da has given some timeless classics, such as ‘Chalte Chalte Mere Yeh Geet’, ‘Ek Ladki Bhigi Bhagi Si’, ‘Koi Humdum Na Raha’, ‘Yeh Jeevan Hai’ and many others till his last song, ‘Guru Guru Aajao Sanam’.

He was at the peak of his filmi career in 70’s and 80’s and died on October 13, 1987.

Trivia

Kishore Kumar had put a sign of ‘Beware of Kishore’ outside one of his flats. where he stayed for some time while his bungalow was made up.