A Darker Truth
When anyone mentions Kishore Kumar today, one’s instant reaction is that he was a very famous comedian and then the second most popular reaction would be that he was a great singer. Must say, that is a lot to achieve in a single lifetime. But the truth is that is just the tip of the iceberg. Kishore Kumar was a lot more than that.
Trying something new and excelling in it came naturally to Kishore. Due to his second wife -Madhubala’s heart condition, his acting career took a slump for 9 crucial years. But he saw this as an opportunity and created some really deep and meaningful movies in the time available.
As a film maker, Kishore’s style was vastly different from that of the jovial comedian that everyone saw. Being a realist to the core, his films were stark and naked - with a strong message and equally strong direction. Very to the point, it made quite a few people uncomfortable. He was labeled as an eccentric and his films were considered as not being commercially viable. But that’s exactly what they were not - he made those films not for main stream success, but for satisfaction.
One of his productions titled Door Gagan Ki Chaaon Mein features him in the title role. The story is that of a soldier, who is anxious to get home after a long and strenuous war only to see that his home has been torched to the ground and the only survivor of this catastrophe is his son who is so badly traumatized that he can’t speak. The movie is about the unspoken bond that the two develop between each other - one which starts of as slow and halting, but gradually becomes the epitome of love and devotion. The film also stars his son Amit and the duo has doe such a beautiful job - it is moving and brings tears to your eyes.
Then who can ever forget Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi - a light hearted comedy of errors which stars all the three brothers - Ashok, Kishore and Anup plus his second wife. In a hilarious and rib cracking comedy, Kishore has exhibited his versatility in direction - he showed everyone that he is not closed to anything.
It is really sad that of the 18 films that he made, only eight saw the light of day and even those were grossly under rated. When it came to expressing himself through films, Kishore Kumar let a deeper, intellectual side of him be seen. Unfortunately, not too many could see that part of him as they were too busy laughing at his antics in other films. If they would have made that effort, they would have seen another facet to this gem of a man.
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June 4th, 2007 at 3:42 pm
Yes Manish,
Udit is one of the bests in current generation. I like Kay Kay, Kailash
Kher, Abhijeet and then the list goes on. But now a days songs are first
then the singers. They don’t have capabilities to make a good song a
great song but old singers had.
June 4th, 2007 at 3:38 pm
Hehehe !!! it seems unknow1 prefers sonu over kishore. whatta choice.
I can accept someone prefers rafi over kishore or mukesh over rafi
but sonu over kishore ?
whatta choice !!!
June 4th, 2007 at 10:19 am
Anuj : Pl. dont use works like cowdunge to writers here; it shows
your class and your lack of arguments…..
Please prove by statistics without losing your cool…..
binus
June 4th, 2007 at 10:08 am
Kishore Kumar is GOD,there is no doubt in it.I am his blind fan,like millions of others.He was,is and will remain the greatest singer,entertainer,live performer and comic hero of all times.
June 4th, 2007 at 12:24 am
One thing more I wanted to say is that the “modern” era is now dying, we’re really hitting the “western era” where we just copy the inferior music of America (mind you, I was born and raised in USA but my origins are from Banaras) and have random, trashy MTV music videos incoherently in the middle of a movie (was there ever a song in Sholay that didn’t fit with the story?).
The modern ERA is over and it is a threat to KK amongst the next generation. Of course his everlasting voice will remain for over a 100 years, but it will not always get the same due appreciation it deserves.
The last great modern singer was Udit Narayan (remember his career started 29 years ago). The modern era in my terms was from 1965-200?. That’s a long period. I’ll miss it. I hate today’s songs like “Dus Bahane.”
June 4th, 2007 at 12:21 am
You guys lured me into making comparisons here when it shouldn’t be here. I’m at fault but only partially. Any way, I’ll stop comparisons now and try to remember.
I think you’re right to say that KK is more popular among the youth. IMO, the mid mid 60s was a border between classics versus “modern songs”. “Modern” songs did not require TRADITIONAL background in classical music and this is the era that KK hit the waves.
KK is still popular today because he was the first modern singer. I’m more familiar with 1980 Rafi than peak Rafi because 1980 Rafi like KK had become modern (he was so versatile). Additionally, the compositions of RDB were excellent and modern. Finally, KK was THE VOICE for a superstar still ACTIVELY KNOWN today by fans - Amitabh Bachchan. People still remember Bachchan and so immediately they must remember KK. Its’ funny that in so many Amitabh Bachchan movies the song itself gets at least a third of the trailer - some movies KK made famous, not AB. The two needed each other.
June 3rd, 2007 at 11:24 pm
Dear Anuj,
I don’t know which shop u r speaking about,I think u can get more Sonu cassettes than KK.Lata Ji got Bharat Ratna award and Mohd Rafi God award.(how)why u kk fan don’t want to KK has Bharat Ranta award!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Lata ji was a good singer where is she now?because that she had award from human but Mohd Rafi got award from the God because when u went from this world he was at top that is the God award to Mohd Rafi
June 3rd, 2007 at 12:49 pm
Unbelievable that Kishore Kumar was greatest than Rafiji, Lataji and/or Ashaji, doesn’t exist at all.
June 3rd, 2007 at 10:11 am
Anuj:
Dear : Please wake up… U r in your dreammmmm..s
mohd rafi and lata are the best in the business; KK is a
late comer in to big time singing; and rafi - lata will rule
music hearts till the last day long since we are all gone…
binu nair
June 3rd, 2007 at 8:30 am
Rafi,Lata,Asha were good singers,but Kishore Kumar is the greatest.You can check in any music shop,you will see Kishore’s cds and cassettes sell much much more that all Rafis and Latas collectively.A huge majority has accepted that Kishore Kumar is the best,Rafi’s and Lata’s popularity is in decline,while Kishoreji’s popularity remians intact and will remain intact forever.
June 3rd, 2007 at 1:00 am
I disagree with the opening of the article. KK is MUCH MUCH MORE famous as singer than as actor. Also, KK >>> Asha. KK’s version of O Saathi Re, Zindagi Ek Safar, etc. Lata ~ Rafi > KK >>> Asha
June 2nd, 2007 at 1:11 pm
Another master piece from LP for KK is the song from ‘Mr India’, ‘Zindagi Ki Yahi Reet Hai Haar Ke Baad Hee Jeet Hai’. The song was released just a months before his death, conveying a message to world the one should be disheartened in life due to failures because there is always success to follow after that. So one should always keep trying never give up in life.
June 2nd, 2007 at 12:25 pm
Dear Anuj…
Above is your personal view which we do not agree to…
Rafi & Lata will remain the “biggest and greatest singers”
of the hindi playback scene… A huge majority accepts this..
And, then comes Asha & Kishore……..
Kishore Kumar we love as an actor, comedian, SINGER &
some times putting in a few good lyrics and tunes…
In short Jack of all trades….. and a very gifted and rare singer,
I bet.
binu nair….
June 2nd, 2007 at 12:12 pm
Undoubtedly Kishore Kumar is the all time greatest singer.
June 2nd, 2007 at 9:03 am
Movies acted by Kishoreji were all time hits,you cowdunge Monty.Kishoreji is much much greater than Rafi,Lata,Asha.People of all generations like one singer only,that’s Kishoreji.Kishore Kumar’s populaity is so high,that no one can reach it or have reached it ever.Administrator,remove the above comment.
June 2nd, 2007 at 1:54 am
I love Kishore Kumar’s movies and like to listen to his songs. I like the films where Mohammed Rafi has sung and love to listen to his songs. Well, I would like to love Kishore Kumar’s songs. However, like others, I do not liken one to another, just like to listen to what I love and what I like. No one of their likes will ever be born. Hope you will like this.
June 1st, 2007 at 11:06 pm
This is not true, KK can’t be greater than Rafiji, Lataji or Ashaji. Agree, KK was a good singer, but not the best. Further more, movies he acted were boring and storyless.
June 1st, 2007 at 9:41 am
Kishoreda is the all time greatest-much much greater than Rafi,Lata,Asha and all.His popularity is phenomenon.His directed films were too good.
May 30th, 2007 at 11:57 pm
A singh I gree with u that LP gave master piece to KK and they gave to Mukesh,Lata and many other and best was with Mohd Rafi as I think…..
May 30th, 2007 at 8:06 pm
A true genius and an allrounder as a film maker.
For varitey of reasons he was always under estimated-appreciated.
May 30th, 2007 at 4:46 pm
Nice Article. One info, I think Kishore Saheb came to bombay at 18 and not 19.
Am I right ?
Yeah Monty, you are right. Both Rafi and Kishore were legends of Indian Cinema.
May 30th, 2007 at 12:50 pm
Kishore Kumar is a perfect Leo, who are born fighters. Despite all the ups and downs KK excelled in all fields. The song “Ruk Jaana Nahi Tu Kabhi Haar Ke” portrays KK’s own struggle the best. LP give KK a master piece, which is remembered till date.
May 30th, 2007 at 12:53 am
KK was a legend, but Rafiji was a legends legend.
May 29th, 2007 at 8:47 pm
Kishore Kumar-the greatest of all.
May 28th, 2007 at 7:02 pm
Kishore Kumar was a great film director.His film Door Gagan ki chaon mein did great business,was a super hit and it also won few awards,including an international one.