Yoodlee Yoodlee. Review on 20 Best Songs of Kishore Kumar

Kishore Kumar, along with Mohd. Rafi, and Mukesh formed the brilliant troika of Hindi film music. They were to playback singing what Dilip Kumar, Raj Kapoor and Dev Anand were to acting. Each(the singers, much like the actors mentioned above), had their unique style of singing. Mukesh was recognized was his pathos-laden songs, Rafi became a legend for his versatility, while Kishore … the man was sheer genius. Give him any song and he would come a winner. Tragic, comic, soulful … one does miss him a lot.

Here are some(note that the emphasis is on ‘some’) of my favorite Kishore renditions.

1. Jeevan Se Bhari Teri Aankhein …

Majboor Karein Jeenen Ke Liye/Sawan Bhi taraste Hain Tere Roop Ka ras Peene Ke Liye

A life affirmation song from the sensitive ‘Safar’. Rajesh Khanna has

just recovered from an ailment and he is engrossed in paying tribute to his Muse, Sharmila Tagore. Lovely lyrics by Indivar and great music by Kalyanji-Anandji. Kishore Kumar convinced you that it was Rajesh Khanna actually singing the song.

1. Ek Ladki Bheegi Bhaagi Si …

Soyee Raaton Mein Jaagi Si/Mili Ek Ajnabi Se/Koi Aage Na Peeche/Tum Hi Kaho Ye Koi Baat Hai

Get ready for some dhamaal from the crazy entertainer, ‘Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi’. Kishore regales you with his voice and on-screen antics. A rain-drenched Madhubala, saucily biting her lower lip is like the icing on the cake. Majrooh Sultanpuri and SD Burman in fine tandem.

1. Hum They Voh Thee Aur Sama Rangeen …

Jaatey They Japaan/Pahunch Gaye Cheen/Samajh Gaye Na

The dhammal continues. Kishore and Manna Dey regale you with this witty song. Another gem from Chalti Ka Naam gadi.

1. Dukhi Man Mere …

Jahan Nahin Chaina/Wahan Nahin Raina

This is one of Kishore’s early songs(Funtoosh*ing Dev Anand). Composed by SD Burman, ‘Dukhi Man’ was a favorite with me during my teenache days. Whenever the girl I had a crush on rebuffed me for my insolent ways(boys will be boys and girls will be girls), I would sing this song lying flat on my tummy. My brother still teases me about this and my wife joins in the fun.

1. Ye Jeevan Hai, Is Jeevan Ka

Yahi Hai, Yahi Rang Roop

This song is from a lesser known film, ‘Piya Ka Ghar’, directed by Basu Chatterjee, featuring Anil Dhawan and Jaya Bhaduri. This song takes place towards the resolution of the movie. Kishore is in super form. I often this one to my wife in my besura voice.

1. Aati Rahengi Baharein

Dil Ki Nazar Se Duniya Ko Dekho/Duniya Sada Hi Haseen Hai

A lot of people will question the choice of this song. This one from ‘Kasme Vaade’ gets into my list only becaue Kishore’s vocal skills here were supremely evocative of a Barjatiyan mood in pre-Sooraj Barjatiya days. ‘Maine to bas yahi maangi hain duaen, phoolon ki tarah hum sada muskuraen.’ He sang this ong with his son Amit Kumar, the singer who’s put himself into exile. It slips into this list.

1. Tere Mere Milan Ki Ye Raina …

Naya Koi Gul Khilayegi

Lovely lyrics by Majrooh sahab. Kishore and Lata Mangeshkar depict the agony of a couple. A+ to Burmanda(senior).

1. Hum Hain Rahi Pyar Ke …

Hum Se Kuch Na Boliye/Jo Bhi Pyaar Se Mila/ Hum Usi Ke Ho Liye

Listen to Kishore whistle and you’ll fall in love with the song. Picturized on his dear friend Dev Anand, this vignette has been regaling us for many many decades.

1. Pal Pal Dil Ke Paas Tum Rehti Ho …

Jeevan Meethi Pyaas Yeh Kehti Ho

Do you want to propose to your girl? And lack the guts of approaching her? Make her hear this song from ‘Blackmail’(music Kalyanji Anadji). Chances are she’ll come to your house with the baraat. Kishore’s breath exudes romance.

1. Kuch To Log Kahenge

Guys and gals swoon over Kuch To Log Kahenge/ Logon Ka Kaam Hai Kehna from Amar Prem. Excellent lyrics by Anand Bakshi(Reet Jagat Ki Hai Kuch Aisi Har Ek Subah Ki Shaam Hui/Tu Kaun Hai Tera Naam Hai Kya/ Seeta Bhi Yahan Badnaam Hui), and marvelous music by Pancham(Maddy are you there?), Kishore once again lives the actor he is singing for.

1. Aa Chal Ke Tujhe Main Le Ke Chaloon …

Ek Aise Gagn Ki tale/ Jahan Gham Bhi Na Ho Aansoon Bhi Na Ho/ Pas Pyaar Hi Pyaa Pale.

This is one of Kishore Kumar’s immortal songs - an all-time great from his directorial debut Door Gagan Ki Chaon Mein. This song is favorite with my dad too.

Love you Kishoreda.

1. Mana Janab Ne Pukara Nahin …

Ya Mera Saath Bhi Gawara Nahin

Simple composition but extremely effective results.

1. Ghungroo Ki Tarah Bas bajta Hi Raha Hoon Main…

Kabhi Is Pag Mein/Kabhi Us Pag Mein/Bas Bajta Hi Raha Hoon Main

Kishore makes most of this tragic, self-sympathetic number. Class number from a trash film. Psst. Another song by Kishore from the same film was instrumental in the naming of a Bollywood blockbuster. Yes! You got it! Le Jayenge Le Jayenge Dilwale Dulhaniya Lejaynege.

1. Kora Kagaz Tha Ye Man Mera …

Likh Diya Naam Ispe Tera

I cannot seem to decide as to who/what is better in the song? Kishore? Lata? Music? Lyrics? I think the song in its entirety. One of the best romantic number ever.

1. Zaroorat Hai Zaroorat Hai…

Shirimati Ki/Ek Kalavati Ki/Seva kare Jo Pati Ki

This almost chauvinistic song would have fallen flat on its face had Kishore not sung it.

1. Musaafir Hoon yaron …

Na Ghar Hai Na Thikana/Muje Bas Chalte Jaana Hai

Incredible song from the Gulzar-Pancham-Kishore combination. Kishore’s voice lends this song with great energy.

1. Badi Vafa Se Nibahyee Tumne Hamaree Thodi Si Bewafayee

This one song is much more powerful than all the Saathiyas and Chalte Chaltes put together. It describes the sense of disillusionment that a couple faces in their relationship.

Lata and Kishore sing from their hearts.

1. Roop Tera Mastana …

Pyaar Mera Deewana/Bhool Koi Humse Na Hojaaye

A highly erotic number that has Kishore elevating the mood. An all-time classic from Aradhana, the movie that made Rajesh Khanna an icon of his generation.

1. Hai Hai Ye Nigahein ….

Kar Dein Sharabi Jise Chahein Jise Chahein/Main To Bhool Gaya Rahein.

Hic! Hic! Hurray! Kishoreda Amar rahein.

1. Khai Ke Paan Banaraswala

Khul Jaaye Band Aqal Ka Tala

A great foot-tapping number that established Amitabh as a great entertainer. You can feel Kishore Kumar dancing while singing this song.

This was my way of paying tribute to a genius. Your comments are eagerly awaited.