Director-Producer-Writer-Actor-Composer-Singer if all this can be credited to one person that would be Kishore Kumar [KK] who excelled in all the fields & to this day remains the singer who with his'Golden Voice' was able to break the Rafi magic & gave him some tough competition. KK was one versatile singer, who could take your heart for a yo-yo ride, making it swing between an energetic yoodlee-yoodlee-yooyoo to a melancholy filled strumming of a ghungroo' - all with remarkable dexeterity and ease!
For many days I wanted to write a review on KK but something different than the yoodle-do songs he is most famous for. Thanx to GB for suggesting that I should select a theme for these songs: 'Life is a Journey', a journey which is common for all of us but has a different meaning for each human. The meaning of life has been a question mark from the beginning of mankind; it is in our nature to ask questions as Why am I here? Is there a purpose for the earth and those who dwell on it? If so, what is the purpose? Some get the answers and some don't but whatever happens life goes on…
There are umpteen songs which come to our mind on different phases/moods in life & I've segregated the songs in three categories: Sad, Happy & Inspiring; each of these song take us through the pathos, bliss & glory of this life's journey & of course, each of these song has been superbly sung by KK. These are a few songs which we simply cannot imagine in anyone else's voice!
Life's Sadness: Your life can slip through your fingers if you live in the past or the future, so live life with passion every day as if it were your last because one of these days, it will be.
Zindagi Ka Safar Hai :Safar
hai yeh kaisi dagar, chalte hai sab magar, koi samjha nahin, koi jaana nahi
If there is any song that rightfully speculates on this marvel called Life, its'Zindagi ka safar'. A man braving up for his death wonders what is this journey for? we all live for sometime, confront obstacles, take decisions walk the pathway of life but do we know which direction we are going to? does anyone understand the purpose of this life? A beautiful philosophical song.
Manzilen apni jagah hai: Sharabi
jab kadam hi saath na de toh musafir kya kare?
A beautiful song where a man who has been deserted by his own footsteps wonders how he'd be able to walk ahead with this journey called Life and how he would cope with the strains and deceptions of life. Heartbreaking words sound hauntingly captivating, when sung by KK.
Mera Jeevan: Kora Kagaz
kora hi reh gaya.udate panchi ka thikana mera na koi
Another song where a totally disillusioned person who has been left alone with life that is like a blank page, where all that was written has been wiped away with his/her tears. The one lyric I like in this song is the comparison with a bird who at least knows where it has to fly.
Jeevan Se Bhari Teri Ankhen: Safar
majboor kare jeene ke liye.ek dhadkan hain tu dil ke liye ek jaan hain tu jeene ke liye
A dying man singing for his lover, hoping he could live some more. This song teaches one to stop complaining or brooding & instead make the most of whatever life has to offer…. no one knows how near/far the end is.
Zindagi Ke Safar Mein Guzar Jaate Hai Jo Makaam: Aapki Kasam
ek baar chale jaate hai, jo din-raat subaho shaam, woh phir nahi aate
This is one of the most depressing & hard hiting songs I've ever heard! Whenever I hear this, I can immediately picture a repentant person who has lost all he cherished in life: his love. This song tells us to be cautious & avoid snappy decisions in life, as the moments which pass away would not return and cannot be unturned ever again.
Tere bina zindagi se koi & Is mod se jaate hain: Aandhi
Its impossible not to think of these songs when we mention KK's work. Both these are love songs on broken-up lovers who do get along with their lives but at the sametime they also realise that life means nothing without each other ….sigh!
Life's Happiness: It is said that Happiness is just a state of mind. It may be different things for different people; being together with the one you love or maybe just being by yourself watching a sunset. Life's happiness depends on the realisation that life is not a race, but a journey to be savored each step of the way. Of being glad of life as it has given us the chance to love, work, play & at the same time a chance to look up at the stars.
Zindagi Ek Safar Hai Suhana Yahan: Andaz
yahan kal kya ho.kisne jana
This is a typical spirited song on a couple who have this care-a-damn attitude towards life, as they want to go ahead of the stars/moon leaving behind the zamana [ppl like us]
Aanewala pal jaanewala hain: Golmaal
ho sake to isme zindagi beeta do, pal jo yeh jaanewala hain
A simple n sweet song that tells us to live life for this moment, once gone it would never return.
Tum bhil chalo, Hum bhi chalo: Zameer
naa zameen manjil naa aasmaa, zindagi hain zindagi
Another way to be happy is not to worry what's gonna happen, just walk this path with no manzil, enjoy life & make it a pleasant happy journey.
Zindagi hanse gaane ke liye hain pal do pal: Zameer
isse khona nahi khoke roona nahi, pyaare tu gham na kar
We all say life is short so make the most of it. This songs reaffirms the same, live & let live. don't lose the precious moments, only to be repentant later.
Zindagi Milke Bitayenge: Satte Pe Satta
hum toh saat rang hai.yeh jahan rangeen banayenge
A truly jovial positive song where seven brothers wanna sing & dance through their lives, spreading their colours through the world…. however one needn't be in a group of people to spread joy & happiness.
[contd in comments. sorry;)]
