Kishore Kumar birthday special: Evergreen melodious songs of the legendary singer

Legendary singer Kishore Kumar was a multi-faceted star who left a huge imprint in the world of Bollywood music. He was born as Abhas Kumar Ganguly on August 4, 1929 and it’s his 87th birth anniversary today. Renowned for his melodious voice, the playback singer was also a great actor, lyricist, composer, producer, director and screenwriter.

Kishore Kumar won 8 Filmfare Awards for Best Male Playback Singer apart from 27 filmfare awards. He was also given “Lata Mangeshkar Award” by the Madhya Pradesh government.

Moreover, the Madhya Pradesh Government initiated a new award called the “Kishore Kumar Award” for exceptional contributions to Hindi cinema.The legendary singer however died on October 13, 1987 at the age of 58.

Some interesting facts about Kishore Kumar:

1. It is said the inspiration behind the song 'Paanch Rupaiya Barah Aana' from Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi was the Rs 5.75 he owed to the canteen of his college in Indore.

2. Kishore Kumar did not have any formal training in singing. His unique style of yodelling was inspired by Jimmie Rodgers and Tex Morton.

3. He yodlled for a number of songs such as 'Zindagi Ek Safar' from the movie Andaz, 'Chala Jata Hoon Kisi Ki Dhun Mein' from the film Haathi Mere Saathi and so on.

4. Kishore Kumar was an ardent fan of KL Saigal, Tagore and the Hollywood singer-actor Danny Kaye.

Let’s have a look at some of his greatest hits on the occasion of his birth anniversary. 

Pyaar Deewana Hota Hai

EK Ladki Bheegi Bhaagi Si

Mere Sapno Ki Rani

Chookar Mere Mann Ko

Dekha Ek Khwab

Recent reports had claimed that the Ganguli House in Khandwa, the ancestral house of Kishore Kumar, will be demolished by Khandwa municipal corporation.

A notice, announcing the demolition was pasted at the two-storey house where brothers - Ashok, Anoop and Kishore - spent their childhood.

Over the years, the Madhya Pradesh government has shown interest in converting the house into a museum. The Municipal Corporation had said that Kishore Kumar’s fans come to see his house and it could be dangerous for their lives as the house is in dilapidated condition. Thus, there is an urgent need to demolish it.

However, the Khandwa collector later on stayed the demolition claiming that the sentiments of many music lovers and locals were associated with the house.