The most versatile personality of all times, Kishore Kumar was one of the few artistes who could act, sing, direct, edit, compose and write scripts. There are many facets of the genius, which added up to what Kishore Kumar, as a person was, eccentric and hyper. Whatever maybe the cause K. K. was a super entertainer in his own right.
Without much knowledge of even of the rudiments of music Abhas Kumar Ganguly started his career at the age of 18, got re-christened as Kishore Kumar, left his native Khandwa and came to join Bombay Talkies where his elder brother, Ashok Kumar, was the 'star'. But Kishore found few opportunities coming his way. He sang his first song, Marne Ki Duayen Kyon Mangu for Dev Anand in Ziddi (1948), did a few insipid roles in several films and acted as the main lead in the eminently forgettable Andolan. His professional graph shot upwards after S. D. Burman gave Kishore Kumar the much-needed big break in the film Bahaar. The wacky singer never looked back, he sang as well as acted in a few films which went on to be a success promoting and highlighting the singer in him who had a distinct mark as a singer and of course the exuberant actor in him. Though his acting stint continued with films like Chalti Ka Naam Gadi, Door Gagan Ki Chaaon Mein, Chacha Zindabaad, Half Ticket, etc to name a few. The singer superceded the actor in him, the singer found it difficult to find a foothold in the late fifties as Mohd. Rafi strongly dominated the music scenario.
The turning point in Kishore Kumar's career came after R. D. Burman took over as the chief asst. music director of the film Aradhana. Pancham made Kishore Kumar sing the songs (Mere Sapno Ki Rani, Roop Tera Mastana, etc). This was the film that jump-started the singer's sagging career. A new association of Pancham and Kishore Kumar led to Kishore Kumar reach the pinnacle of playback singing leaving the rest way behind. Kishore Kumar became the voice of every star right from Rajesh Khanna to Rishi Kapoor. He wished to pass his reign to his son the original singer in his own right but it was not meant to be. So over whelming was his talent that music directors used to wait ages so that he could record their songs.
The innumerable replicas couldn't wane this singer. In his career spanning four decades Kishore Kumar won seven Filmfare awards. Kishore Kumar thrived as the topmost singer right till his day of demise. The legend passed away on October 13, 1987. Leaving a huge vacuum in the music world.
