Hamein Tumse Pyar Kitna....

"Hamein Tumse Pyar Kitna Yeh Hum Nahin Jaante, Magar Jee Nahin Sakte Tumhaare Bina" these are the eternal words of the song penned by Majrooh Sultanpuri, masterfully composed by Panchamda and timeless vocals rendered by our very own Kishoreda. This is one of my favorite and is one of the most romantic songs ever. The song is played twice in the movie, one by Kishoreda and other in female voice and while female version is more classical based it doesn't come anywhere near the heights of the emotions reached in Kishoreda's rendition. Kishoreda not just repeat the words but is actually sings his heart out giving away his emotions and the meaning to each word, and the effect is simply beautiful, timeless song. His voice touches the heart and hits the right chords at all times and once after listening to it we want to revisit it again and again and sing it along too and just wish that you have someone to sing it for, simply No.1.

This song encompasses most of the feelings two people in love would have for each other. The beginning of the song when you are trying to tell that special someone how much you love them (Hamein tumse pyar kitna yeh hum Nahin Jaante magar jee Nahin sakte tumhare bina), or showing your longings when not together (suna gam judaai ka uthathe hain log, jaane kaise zindagi bitaate hain log), or showing the bad side of you, i.e., jealousy (tumhe koi aur dekhe tho jalta hain dil, badi mushkilon se phir sambhalta hain dil) but in most flattering way without getting over possessive or overboard and while remaining close to the heart at all times. This song is for anyone either if you are in love already or whether you are falling for one, this song shall open the window to woo anyone, anytime.

“din bhi yaha tho lage baras ke samaan” simply beautiful.

Watch it here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NClR64qT6Bk

Manzilen Apni Jagah

Unarguably one of the best sad songs of Kishoreda-Amitabh combination. And also one of the finest composition of Bappi Lahiri. This song is from the Amitabh starrer 'Sharaabi' and in the movie comes at the time when Big B's co-star and his love interest in the movie gets away from him and so is naturally unhappy and he sings this soulful number in a party. This song for me is what it is because of Kishoreda-Amitabh amazing combination. One sings with his heart in it and other enacts the same with his heart in it. It feels as if the actor is actually singing, because Amitabh is that good. Remember another gem of a sad songs of this hit jodi.. "O Saathi Re" which is as beautiful as this one too. Listen to this one for the amazing vocals by apna Kishoreda at his very soulful best. He sings this with such expressions that you begin to feel if he himself has lost someone and is crying in his heart. and then when you watch Amitabh enacting it with those expressions and tear in his eyes and then one begin to feel if he himself has lost someone important in his life. Its not singing.. its not acting...Its two masters of their craft at their very best. So watch..listen.... and just..enjoy...
Click here to Watch the video

Aake Seedhe Laga Yeh Gaana Dil Pe Jaise Katariyaa O Saawariya Oye!!!!!!!!

To rephrase a famous dialogue from a classic movie “Casablanca”: Of all the male-female comedy songs, in all the music industry in all the world I like this the most”. This is a duet song and both the male and female voice is effectively rendered by our own Mad Genius Kishoreda, who else!!!! The story behind this song is an interesting one which Salil Chowdary (the music director) himself remembered in of his interviews and it goes, apparently the female version was to be done by Lata Mangeshkar but she had some problem on the day of recording and our Kishoreda suggested that he would sing her lines too in a female voice and which he did successfully and the rest is the history. The situation of the song is Kishoreda is running from the villain Pran and in his attempt he disguises himself as a woman and Pran recognizes him immediately and the song follows both acting as a lovers. So Pran’s voice is actual male Kishoreda and female Kishoreda is Kishoreda himself. This song to hear is delight but to watch is absolute eye treat and laugh riot like nothing else. Both Kishoreda, who unarguably is one of the finest comic actor ever and Pran too one of the finest actor Indian film industry ever had, gets into their respective get ups and delivers a knock out performances. I guess the reason this songs works so well especially when we watch in the movie is because of Kishoreda’s male and female voice, since the situation is funny it probably wouldn’t have been that fun had any female singer sung it and it would have turned into any other common duet song. Listen to the song to observe how beautifully Kishoreda changes his vocals from male and female and vice versa. Unquestionably he is a true rare genius.

Over the years I heard many singers trying to imitate this song but believe me no one comes even near to Kishoreda’s magical rendition.

By the by, this song is from the movie "Half Ticket". Watch it if you haven't already it is very funny movie, thanks to Kishoreda, Madhubala and Pran for their amazing chemistry and comic timings.

Watch it for yourself: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CB8YqexGz88

Funniest Duet

Guys, let me now bring to you one of the funniest song ever in every sense, be it acting, singing, lyrics, music, choreography, this one has it all and in best way possible and its from a gem of comedy movies “Padosan”. The song is a singing competition between Dutt and Mehmood on screen and persons lending their voices off screen are Kishoreda (actually, even on screen) and Manna Dey. You must have known the song by now its “Ek Chatur Naar”. There are very few duet songs such energetic and full of fun as this one and I think the major credit must go to playback singing by apna Guru off course and Dey, and this Jodi has given us some real good gems in their time as both complimented each other well with their own unique singing talent and one song of this Jodi I remember of the top of my head is “Yeh Dosti” from Sholay another duet gem, though little credit must also go to Panchamda for challenging notes and handling these two towering artists and to lyricist for writing the lines. The singing by both the artist is sheer madness at its best and both achieving all together a different level of energy of performing madness in singing and of taking a song to total different level of their own and watch the video to see actors enacting prime madness to enjoy this song totally, 100% satisfaction guaranteed.

I must say as a Kishoreda fan this song is common for one, but Manna Dey too is at his absolute prime in this number (I like his “Tu Pyaar Ka Saagar”, “Kasme Waade Pyaar Wafa”, “Yaari Hain Imaan Mera”are some of my favorites of his songs other), now coming back to Kishoreda, I will admit the reason for bringing this duet here so soon was that I was reading some article about Manna Dey’s autobiography and I came across few of his own words about this song and Kishoreda in general, and rather than me wrting something same again let me quote MD here in his own words from "Memories Come Alive: An Autobiography" :
"I was especially cautious when asked to sing for Mehmood in Ek chatur naar with Kishore Kumar. The latter had a unique and unaffected style of singing which tended to eclipse the subtleties of classical music, and place his singing partner, in a duet, at a disadvantage. To be put in the shade by Kishore's flamboyant style of singing was a distinct possibility and, to counter the risk, I decided to work with Pancham, striving to build on my strengths and find a way of holding my own."
"On the day we were to record Ek chatur naar, the entire staff at the studio stood outside the glass-door to watch Kishore and me sing. For the two of us, the session had taken on the magnitude of a duel. It took us 12 hours - the recording started at 9 am and ended at 9 pm - to complete it, and I must admit, Kishore was in his element that day. Out of this tough battle to outshine one another, would emerge a new star in the world of music."
Such words from an artist like Manna Dey, a classically trained singer, genius in his own ways only shows the phenomenon called Kishore, how effective he was even without classical training and which many saw as disadvantage when he was starting his career back in 40’s and till late 60’s no one except very few took him seriously, but after all “Toofan ko kya koi rok paaya hain, and Kishoreda was that Toofan of Indian music industry that rocked the music industry in 70’s and mid 80’s”.
Enough of me now, enjoy the song and see the phenomenon called “Ek Chatur Naar” and praise the efforts of all the players involved with the song in making it what it is.
Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9HwrMGpFaik
Adios,

My Personal Ten Kishoreda’s Best Songs

Picking 10 best songs from the ocean of KK’s songs now, this is a real pickle, and even more difficult would be to rate them so I have decided to leave that task for some other day which I am not sure if will ever come. Anyway coming back to my 10 personal best Kishoreda’s songs are listed below:
Reasons for selecting these:
Some of them I already discussed and others I will discuss in detail, but just briefly I want to describe reasons for selecting these songs and few songs are from the movie that has more than one KK’s best numbers but I couldn’t incorporate in best 10 in order to include more movies and music directors.
Remember they are not in any ratings or order.
Dukhi Mann Mere*
This is one of the songs (others being Mere Mehboob, Ghungroo Ki Tarah and some more...)that introduced me to Kishoreda’s voice early in my childhood and my passion almost grew immediately for his songs although at that time listening options were limited and so I was constrained in few songs countable on fingers. I don’t know what it is about this song but I find it very soothing to my heart no matter what situation I am in whether I am excited, sad or some mood I can always count on this song to take me to a relaxing place within myself. It’s a perfect combination of music, lyrics and singing and also enacting on screen.

Aap Ke Anurodh Pe
I already discussed this song, I first heard this song or at least remembered from that moment on in my Engineering 2nd year and again my immediate interest grew in the song and eventually became my favorite and it will be always in my Fav5 songs list along with Dukhi Mann Mere. This song kinds of grow on you with KK’s mesmerizing voice and superb lyrics.

Badi Sooni Sooni Hain
Again one of my earliest KK’s songs and just no words are good enough to describe Kishoreda’s voice which expresses pain, loneliness like no other, simply a fabulous experience. Truly “Badi Sooni Sooni Hain” Music Ki Duniya…Bin Kishoreda Aapke…

Pal Pal Dil Ke Paas
I posted this song too, and this song too has a story of how I got attached to it. I bought a cassette of Kishoreda while in class 10+2 year from saving money and this was my first which was to become a big collection of Guru in future. This cassette had this song, 1st if I remember correctly, and liked it so much that I listened it over and over and in a real sense it was then that I became passionate listener of Kishoreda’s songs, trying to get hold of any song that I could get in a possible ways I could. In a way I broke myself from the mold of just few songs that I use to listen over and over but started listening to any song I found and actually liked almost all the songs immediately. “Pal Pal Dil Ke Paas…Kishoreda aap rehte ho…”. Highly recommended for any music lover.

Hamein Tumse Pyar Kitna*
Three simple words to describe this song: Loving, Passionate, and Mesmerizing.
Kishore’s Voice is silky-smooth. He brings all the emotions of a lover in this one song, be it the truth and depth of love for someone, jealousy, longing for his lover. Pure Brilliance!

Koi Humdum Na Raha
Haunting. Mesmerizing. Unforgettable. Listen to this one for experiencing sheer magic of Kishoreda’s voice and music.

Mere Mehboob Qayamat Hogi*
One of the early starts of KK-LP combination which went on to give many more melodious albums for many years that followed. This song too grows on you like nothing, a good musical experience.

Aa Chal Ke Tujhe
Beautiful thoughts put in a beautiful way. Not just world, even word is not enough for this song amazingly composed, written and sang by our very talented Kishoreda.
“Kabhi dhoop khile, kabhi chaav mile
Lambi si dagar na khale”…

Zindagi Ka Safar*
Again a mesmerizing number with sort of aching and serene quality that has a tendency to take you to world of thoughts of your own. He was so good in sad songs, unbelievable for a man who was equally good in comedy.
“Hain yeh kaisi dagar chalte hain sab magar
Koi samjha nahin koi jaana nahin”

Chingari Koi Bhadke*
A masterpiece. A song to cherish forever. Listen to Kishoreda compassionately rendering this piece beautifully written by Anand Bakshi and brilliantly composed by Panchamda.

Few songs that I missed in this list and of other MD's are: Ghungroo Ki Tarah, Koi Hota Jisko, Manzilen Apni Jagah, O Saathi Re....

Will be discussing those in future posts, also I guess I will be posting my favorite movie albums which has more than one KK's great songs, some of them I already discussed picking one song from the movie.

Gaata Rahe Mera Dil........

Jhumroo

Songs marked * will be discussed in detail if possible in new posts.

Bajaao Re Bajaao Imaandari Se Bajaao…..

"Jai Jai Shiv Shankar" from movie Aap Ki Kasam, music by R. D. Burman is the song for this post. This song is a duet by Kishoreda and Lata Mangeshkar, yet another gem by these two terrific singing talents, a powerhouse of singing rather. This song takes place in the movie when the main leads, both male and female, have drunk ‘Bhaang’ and are intoxicated, and therefore a kind of fast rhythmic, romantic in words and one hundred percent entertaining number, thanks to Kishoreda and Lata for giving zest to the song brilliantly composed by Panchamda, and not taking away the energy of the actors enacting it, overall 10/10. Now coming to why Kishoreda is so important for this song, main reason being it is a masti song, and for me no other singer could create that energy, that masti, in the song than KK himself. Lata is amazing too in the song but its Kishore who absolutely steals the show with his absolute masti bhari singing, his nuance of comic sense. For me if every singer puts their heart in the song, Kishoreda puts his soul in the songs and make it that much more reachable to common listeners like us, he literally plays it from the heart. That’s why line like “Bajaao Re Bajaao Imaandari Se Bajaao…..” catches so fast, because he is playing and singing with full honesty. And let no one doubt for a second that Kishoreda is good only in masti songs because there is more to this man, much more than we can even imagine, just for sample to experience the magic of depth and variation in his singing listen to another great gem of this movie “Zindagi Ke Safar Main Guzar”, truly amazing Kishoreda at his exceptionally best.
Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NDPmJ3zhzWM

Outstanding Kishoreda

This song is a duet from movie "Zindagi Zindagi" (1972) music by S.D.Burman, and he actually won National Award for this movie, he himself gave his voice to one beautiful song. But for now KK-Lata duet gem "Khush Raho Sathiyon", it may not be a well known song but still it is as good as it gets. I don’t know what the background or plot for the song is in the movie, but this one is with very lively feeling. I titled this post with Outstanding, because this is such a song that Kishoreda took it to a complete new level, just listen to the song and you will know what I am talking about. Both Kishore and Lata are equally good, but KK put some extra effort which is what takes the song to complete another level, this effort we don’t know if it was his own or SD idea but whatever may be the case, KK executed it superbly. It’s the “aahh” “ehh”, that’s right these little voices that Kishoreda makes through out the song when Lata’s solo line ends and he has to join her, but there is a space of silence (almost no music) when this shift occurs, but always that gap is not easily recognizable and that’s because Kishoreda fills it with his genius touch again whose ever idea it was. Now there is a verse, which actually ends with Kishore singing solo and then Lata has to join him after he finishes and that is where you will feel that emptiness when there is almost nothing for a sec, just listen to song few times and with concentration if you want to feel the magic of our Mad Genius Kishoreda. . and what huge impact he makes on songs. I was amazed when I first heard it and it was just beautiful experience for me.