NOTE: I think this is a category for a certain music compilation album. However, Sushamaji's review inspired me to use this category to list my all time favourite songs of Kishore Kumar which he has sung for the superstar Amitabh Bachchan. So here goes:
THE REVIEW
One ruled the world of music. The other was the emperor of the acting arena!
One's voice lent a new dimension to poetry. The other's voice was a blessing for dialogues!
One reached the soul through your ears. The other reached it through your eyes!
One was an actor's brother, who made it big in the music world. The other was a poet's son, who made it big in acting!
One was the inimitable Kishore Kumar.
The other was the one and only Amitabh Bacchan.
When I think of these two legends, it strikes me that the only time the cinegoers saw them together on the screen was perhaps in the movie Bombay to Goa, where Kishoreda made a guest appearance. The mind wanders in the lives of these two greats, and then it is that I realize that Bombay to Goa was not the only time I saw them together on screen. I saw them together in the form of umpteen songs Kishoreda showered all over the Big B's career.
Whenever Amitabh lip-synched Kishoreda's song, I met the Bengali singer on screen.
Whenever I heard any such song on my deck, I subconsciously visualized the Big B singing it on screen.
Anyway, coming back to the topic, let me see which are the Kishore-sung-Amit-acted-songs I really cherish!
PLEASE NOTE: I am taking into account only the male solo songs. Counting the duets demands a best 20 songs category.
MY SELECTIONS
Dilbar Mere(Satte pe Satta)
Kishore was at his melodious best in this song. And in the film, the song marked the entry of a suave, clean shaven, dashing Bachchan. It was bound to have the enthralling effect on the audience. It was Pancham's composition.
Mach gayaa shor(Khuddaar)
Perhaps this is the only song, other than the slow version of Pyaar Humen kis mod pe, where Kishore has sung on such a low scale for Amitabh. As the story goes, the song was originally supposed to be sung by Big B himself. But the last moment, Amitabh said it was not his cup of tea. The track already being recorded, was on Amitabh's voice scale, which was too low for Kishoreda. Knowing Kishoreda, the producers were a bit apprehensive about asking him to sing in Amitabh's scale. But Kishoreda did oblige, and there you have it! A superb song, rendered in such a low scale that one may feel it is indeed Amitabh's voice with Kishoreda's finesse! Composed by Rajesh Roshan.
Badi sooni sooni hain(Mili)
It was a mad world of Mili, the bubbly girl, enacted by Jaya Bhaduri. Fun and pranks all the way! In the middle of all this, you hear the sad notes of this song. The gem of sorrow in a bouquet of happiness. Kishoreda literally pierces your heart with this soul touching melody. The song also marks the entry of Amitabh Bachchan in the film, and this entry is effected by showing just his black profile with a glass in hand! Enchanting! Music was by the one and only S.D.Burman.
Meet na milaa re man ka(Abhimaan)
Meet Amitabh as the singing star in this movie underlining the male ego. You can almost feel Kishoreda's voice enhancing the pace of this superb number. The instrumentation is too good. A typical S.D.Burman composition.
Rimjhim gire saawan(Manzil)
I often experience virtual rain showers in October heat, whenever I listen to this song. Great song, great picturisation! A Pancham composition!
Khaike paan banaras wala(Don)
It is not possible that you think of Kishoreda and Amitabh, and you do not remember this song. This song is by and far the best combination of the singer-actor pair. Kishoreda, the man that he was, gave the much needed UP ka jhatka in this song, and Amitabh set the screen on fire with all the gusto of a paan eating UP ka bhaiyya! Truly, a great example of how the two legends complimented each other. Composed by Kalyanji Anandji.
Jahaan teri ye nazar hain(Kaalia)
Dhin patapat dhinini popo- I am visualizing Amitabh dancing in a club, while he and Shahaniseth are wooing the princess for a necklace they have their eyes on! What a song. Superb foot tapping rhythm, and a Kishoreda treat. A Pancham composition!
Tum saath ho jab apne(Kaalia)
A great song again! Amitabh and Parveen Babi dancing around a glaring Pran! Kishoreda's voice and Amitabh's expressive eyes defied the inspector. A Pancham composition!
Chookar mere man ko(Yaraana)
A lovesong that appeals to every heart that ever loved! Kishoreda touched your heartstrings. The picture of Amitabh singing in an empty auditorium remains etched in the memory of his millions of fans. Romantic! Highly romantic! Composed by Rajesh Roshan.
Pag ghungroo baandhi(Namak Halal)
It is not possible that you hear this song and do not remember the turbaned Amitabh dancing awkwardly with the cabrae dancers. It is also not possible that you see this song and do not laud the mind-blowing rendition of Kishoreda. Truly, a classic example of playback singing. Composed by Bappi Lahiri.
Manzilen apni jagah hain(Sharaabi)
Another gem of a song by the duo. Sung in the last years of his life, Kishoreda proved beyond doubt that his life was too short for the vast ocean of talent God had given him to share with his fans. Composed by Bappi Lahiri.
IN CONCLUSION
Damn it! I have already listed ten songs. And there are so many more! But I guess, I will have to stop here. Maybe we will go into the other songs when you visit me. Till then....
Cheers~
