ENTERTAINMENT
Nearly every popular Hindi film song, featuring a male actor, from the year 1972 was sing by Kishore.
From KL Saigal to Mohammed Rafi to Kishore Kumar! This is how the baton has passed between the dominant male playback singers of each era of Hindi cinema. Where Saigal mesmerised listeners with the richness of his voice, Rafi was all about versatility. Then followed Kishore, whose voice had its own distinct sonorous texture. While Aradhana’s (1969) success had paved the way for Rajesh Khanna’s ascent into stardom, the film also marked a change in guard in the world of playback singing. Although Mohammed Rafi sang many fine songs in the 1970s, it was Kishore who became the preferred male playback artiste for nearly every hero – be it Dev Anand, Rajesh Khanna or Amitabh Bachchan – working in the industry post Aradhana.
Just consider the year 1972 for instance, and nearly every popular Hindi film song, featuring a male actor, from the year was sing by Kishore. In Mere Jeevan Saathi, which starred Rajesh Khanna and Tanuja, and which was directed by Ravikant Nagaich (also directed Farz, 1967 and The Train, 1970), Kishore sang a spate of hits, which included ‘O mere dil ke chain’, ‘Deewaana karke chhodoge lagta hain yun humko’, ‘Deewaana leke aaya hai’ and ‘Chala jaata hoon’. In the upcoming episode of 'The Golden Years: 1950-1975' where he discusses the many fine Hindi film songs of 1972, Javed Akhtar says of ‘Chala jaata hoon’, “I can say with complete confidence that in the entire world only Kishore Kumar could have sung this song. This is because the falsetto that is present in the song’s antaras, the way Kishore Kumar has sung it, no Indian singer could have done that. And any foreign singer, who could sing the falsetto, would not have been able to sing the rest of the song.”
What also helped Kishore is that RD Burman, who had emerged as the dominant music composer following the success of Kati Patang (1970), Hare Rama Hare Krishna (1971) and Caravan (1971), played a big part in further propelling Kishore’s success. The Kishore-RD tandem complemented each other perfectly as the playback singer’s voice brought out the verve and energy of RD’s uptempo compositions and vice-versa. Kishore sung some of the best RD numbers in this era such as for the latter’s songs in Seeta Aur Geeta (1972). Both the popular duets from the film – ‘Oh saathi chal’ and ‘Koi ladki mujhe kal raat’ – featured Kishore singing with Asha Bhonsle and Lata Mangeshkar respectively. The interesting thing was that while Kishore sang for Sanjeev Kumar in this film, it was Manna Dey’s voice that was used for Dharmendra’s songs – ‘Zindagi hai khel, koi pass koi fail’ and ‘Abhi toh haath mein jaam hai’.
The aforementioned examples of Kishore singing for RD is not to suggest that the singer was only suited for the Western nature of RD’s compositions. In fact, when the composer came up with equally mesmerising Indian-based, classical-style compositions such as in his work in Amar Prem (1972), Kishore was able to do full justice to the songs there too. Listen to any one of Kishore’s songs - ‘Chingaari koi bhadke’, ‘Yeh kya hua’ or ‘Kuchh toh log kahengey’ - from the film and you can feel the pain, anguish and catharsis of Rajesh Khanna’s character even today.
The one film whose songs, nonetheless, best signify the Kishore Kumar-RD juggernaut in 1972 is Jawaani Deewani. Here Kishore’s rendition of the title track ‘Yeh jawaani hai deewaani’ and ‘Saamne yeh kaun aaya’ perfectly articulated the manic nature and youth culture omnipresent in RD’s compositions. Kishore also sang the rather sensuous duet ‘Nahin, nahin abhi nahin’ with Asha Bhonsle in the film. But the Jawaani Deewani pièce de résistance was the other Kishore and Asha duet in the film, ‘Jaane jaan dhoondhta phir rahaa’. As Javed Akhtar notes, “Even if this one song [‘Jaane jaan’] was the only song in this film, it would have been sufficient. What a beautiful composition, how well is it written and how wonderfully sung by both Asha Bhonsle and Kishore Kumar. Even when Asha Bhosle sings in the lower octaves, it is simply outstanding. The song’s composition, the way it has been sung, the words in the song – all have made this song, iconic. People remember this song even today and even when they hear it now, they feel overjoyed.”
Catch the next episode of The Golden Years: 1950-1975 with Javed Akhtar this Sunday at 8 pm to know more about the many wonderful Hindi film songs from 1972.
When Malaika Arora talked about the controversial ‘instant pleasure’ ad, it was for…
Viral video: Man’s jugaad to stay warm in winter will leave you SHOCKED, watch here
Hinduja Group firm gets key approval for acquisition of Anil Ambani's debt-ridden Reliance Capital
Shloka Mehta looks stunning in white floral kurta as she clicked with Akash Ambani, it costs Rs....
Who is Sagar Adani, Gautam Adani's nephew, accused of bribery, fraud charges in US?
PayPal down: Several users face issue while logging into accounts, say 'no one could...'
IND vs AUS: Jasprit Bumrah, Pat Cummins eye historic captaincy milestone in Perth Test
BGT 2024, Ind vs Aus: Can Shubhman Gill be the new Cheteshwar Pujara? Is he really ready?
The Ultimate Guide to Luxury Gifting: Discover Heirloom Pashmina by Pashmina.com
Effortless Relocations: The Perks Of Professional Removalists In Melbourne
Watch: Pakistan fan with 'Imran Khan' poster asked to leave Hobart stadium in Australia
International Criminal Court issues arrest warrant against Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu for...
What is demisexuality? Everything you need to know about this lesser-known sexual orientation
WATCH: World’s shortest woman meets world’s tallest woman, video goes viral
IND vs AUS 1st Test: Predicted playing XIs, Perth weather forecast and pitch report
IND vs AUS: When will Rohit Sharma join India squad? Check latest update
'Scam 2024': Diljit Dosanjh lookalike pranks people on Pune streets, video goes viral
Delhi Air Pollution: Centre announces staggered work timings for govt employees; check details
Mukesh Ambani's Reliance Jio loses nearly 80 lakh subscribers in just 30 days, BSNL adds...
IND vs AUS, 1st Test Dream11 prediction: Fantasy cricket tips for India vs Australia match
This country has most expensive passport in world, not US, UK, UAE, it costs Rs...
Amid rising air pollution, Delhi-NCR's crematorium records cleanest air; check AQI here
Revolutionising Medical Imaging: Venudhar Rao Hajari’s impact on healthcare technology
Abhishek Gupta and Onevision Media: Scaling brands on social media
Video shows Korean girl eating jalebi for first time, her reaction to Indian sweet goes viral
Cristiano Ronaldo confirms THIS YouTube star as his next guest, says, 'Will break Internet'
Delhi Assembly Elections: AAP releases first list of 11 candidates for 2025 polls
Adani Group's FIRST REACTION after US indicts Gautam Adani in alleged bribery case
Instagram introduces new feature, know how to reset app's algorithm, change your feed
Oppo Find X8 and X8 Pro launched in India, check specifications, price, other details
Charges against Gautam Adani: BJP's scathing attack on Congress, questions timing of development
Jasprit Bumrah's BIG statement on taking up Perth test captaincy, says, 'tactically better...'
Blackout on breaks: Company imposes no-sick-leave policy until 2025
Drug-laden terrorists on India's western, northern frontiers
Mohammad Shami trolls Sanjay Manjrekar over IPL auction bid prediction, says, 'Baba ki...'
IND vs AUS Test: When and where to watch 1st match of Border-Gavaskar trophy, know details here
CAQM amends Grap Stages III, IV, enforces stricter measures in Delhi-NCR amid air pollution woes
Malayalam actor Meghanathan passes away at 60 after suffering from...
Adani Green Energy's FIRST reaction after US indicts Gautam Adani in alleged bribery case
'Keep me out of...': Pakistani Instagram star Mathira on MMS leak controversy
Delhi Air Pollution: AQI marginally improves from 'severe' to 'very poor' category
'I love him, he loves me! Why hurt...': Rekha's bold confession about Amitabh Bachchan goes viral
Meet man, IITian who built Rs 5493 crore firm, has this Mukesh Ambani connection, he is from...
Shillong Teer Results TODAY November 21, 2024 Live Updates: Check winning numbers here
‘I didn’t have time to…’: When AR Rahman revealed having ‘agreement’ before marriage to Saira Banu
Viral video: Woman's sizzling belly dance to 'Namak' impresses internet, watch
Hardik Pandya banned, Mumbai Indians captain to miss first match of IPL 2025 due to...
Meet man who studied at IIM, IIT, then built Rs 1160000000 company, got inspired by…
Meet woman, who quit as dentist for UPSC exam, became IAS officer with AIR...
Viral video: Little girl steals hearts with her adorable dance to 'o meri cutie', watch
Gautam Adani's company signs another pact to acquire 100% stake in...
CBSE Date Sheet 2025 announced: Class 10, 12 board exams to begin from...
Apollena: Aditi Sharma on how space-based drama encourage young girls, says 'no matter how many...'
Is Mia Khalifa dating ex-Man City star Julian Alvarez? Former adult star says 'It certainly...'
IPL 2025 auction RTM rule: How this year’s right-to-match card is different from previous seasons