Happy Birthday Kishore Da!

Who is not aware of the genius Kishore Kumar, whose birthday we celebrate today. Born as Abhas Kumar Ganguly on 4 August, 1929 in Khandwa, Madhya Pradesh, Kishore Kumar was the youngest among the three siblings after Ashok Kumar and Anoop Kumar. He was not only a master crooner, but he was an actor, a lyricist, composer, producer, director, screenwriter and scriptwriter all rolled into one. Having sung in many Indian languages like Hindi, Bengali and Marathi among many others, Kishore Kumar won many awards for his singing. Fondly called as Kishore Da, he was the voice of Dev Anand, Rajesh Khanna and later of many other superstars including Amitabh Bachchan. Though, he left us on 13 October, 1987, Kishore Da is still loved and remembered for all his songs, antics and acting. In our anxiety, we got in touch with a few television artistes to know which song of Kishore Kumar are their favourites. Avika Gor, who is well known as Anandi in Balika Vadhu and is now seen in Sasural Simar Ka said, “I love Kishore Kumar’s songs and I do listen whenever I get time. All his songs from Padosan, Roop Tera Mastaana from Aradhana, Jai Jai Shivshankar from Aap Ki Kasam and all the songs of Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi are my favourites.” Neil Bhatt, who will soon be seen as Laxman in Ramayan on Zee TV, shares his birthday with the master singer. He said, “I feel so blessed and humbled that I am born on the day an icon like Kishore da was born. Well, I love to listen to all his songs. Some of my all-time favourite songs of his are Kehna Hai Aaj Tumse Yeh Pehli Baar…from Padosan, Meri Bheegi Bheegi Si Palkon Pe Reh Gaye from Anamika and Chil Chil Chilla Ke from his starrer Half Ticket.” Ragini Khanna who is anchoring Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa on Colors this season, shared, “All I can say about Kishore dada is that he was one such man who put his heart and soul in a song that could make one laugh and cry. I love to listen to all his songs of which some of my favorites are Zindagi Ka Safar Hai Ye Kaisa Safar from Safar and Ek Ladki Bheegi Bhaagi Si from Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi and many others.” Gopi Bhalla, who is seen essaying the role of Gopi in FIR on SAB TV stated, “Well, I am an ardent fan of his and I have several CDs compiled of his songs which I listen when I am alone. I listen to them whenever I am free or while I am on my way home. Sometimes, I also sing his songs too. Some of his songs that are on my favourite list are Yeh Jo Mohabbat Hai from Kati Patang, Teri Duniya Se Hoke Majboor from Pavitra Papi, songs from Dushman, Ruk Janna Nahi Tu Kabhi Haar Ke from Imtehaan etc.” Rohitash Gaud, who is seen as Mukundi lal in Lapataganj on SAB TV, observed, “I love all his songs. Some of my favorite songs that I would like to share are Zindagi Ek Safar Hai Suhana, Chingari Koi Bhadke, Zindagi Kaisi Hai Paheli, Jai Jai Shivshankar and many more.” Finally, Vandana Pathak, who is seen in RK Laxman Ki Duniya said, “I love him very much. Had I been of that era, I would have made him fall in love with me; he is just so perfect. He was not only a wonderful singer, but was also a very graceful actor too. Some of his most memorable songs that I love are Diye Jalte Hain from Namak Haram, Pyar Dewaana Hota Hai from Kati Patang, Ek Ajanabee Haseena Se from Ajnabee and Ek Ladki Bheegi Bhaagi Si from Chalti Kaa Naam Gaadi among many others.” Such was the magnanimity of Kishore Da that he will be remembered for time to come and shall remain alive in our hearts forever. Here’s remembering him on his birthday.