Remembering music legend Kishore Kumar

Happy Birthday Kishore Da

Kishore Kumar is a name in Bollywood which needs no introduction. He was born on August 4, 1929 and died on October 13th, 1987, following a massive heart attack. From singing to acting to directing, Kishore Kumar had left his footprints in all sectors of Hindi Cinema. From 1950's to 1980's, this legend ruled Indian Film Industry as the leading play-back singer along with Mohammed Rafi and Mukesh.

Today we, celebrate his birthday remembering all his contributions to the old melodies archives of Bollywood. Asha Bhosle, one of the leading singer, twitted yesterday night celebrating the birth of another Kishore Kumar, “In a few hours another genius will be born. The one & only Kishore Kumar."

Adding to the wishes, the nightingale voice Lata Mageshkar twitted remembering and wishing the singing legend, “Aaj,4th Aug ko Kishore da ka janmdin hai, Kishore da, bahurangi kalakar the,wo sirf ek mahaan gayak hi nahi the, wo utne hi acche sangeetkar, kavi, abhineta, film director, producer bhi the, aur sab se badi baat ek sacche insan aur pyare bhai bhi the..." (“ Today, 4th Aug is Kishore Da's birthday, Kishore da was an all rounder artiste, he was not only a great singer but also a great musician, poet, actor, director, producer, and above all, he was a true human being and lovable brother...")

Professional Life

Like any other artiste, Kishore also faced a lot of difficulties in the initial stage of his career. He started his career as a comic hero with movie like New Delhi (1957), Aasha (1957), Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi (1958), Jhumroo (1961), Half Ticket (1962), and Padosan (1968). Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi, his home production, starred the three Ganguly brothers, and Madhubala. The film is about romance between a city girl (Madhubala) and a car mechanic (Kishore Kumar), with a subplot involving eccentric brothers.
After that it was music director S. D. Burman who spotted Kishore Kumar's talent as a singer, and helped him advance in his singing career.

Personal Life

Like his professional life, his personal life also had a lot of complications. Kishore Kumar was married four times. After eight years of marriage to Ruma Ghosh, Kishore went for a second marriage with the famous actress Madhubala in the year 1958. But the love didn't last long as Madhubala was suffering from a deadly disease. After 9 years of marriage, Madhubala died in 1969, leaving Kishore alone. Then Kishore got into his third marriage with Yogeeta Bali which lasted from 1976 to August 4, 1978. His fourth marriage was with Leena Chandavarkar from 1980 until his death.

Kishore Kumar had two sons, Amit Kumar (playback singer) with Ruma, and Sumit Kumar with Leena Chandavarkar.

We at Oneindia remember and salute the legend for all his contribution to the Hindi Cinema.