HBD Kishore Kumar: Some of his evergreen songs

From being a singer to an actor to a director to music composer, Kishore Kumar has tasted success like no one else. He could sing like a dream and his voice had a velvety but powerfully masculine quality that made him stand out in what was undoubtedly the golden era of Bollywood music with singers like Mohammed Rafi, Manna Dey and Lata Mangeshkar in their prime. On his birth anniversary, ETV Bharat brings to you life of a rare gem and some of his indelible songs.

Mumbai:Tuesday marks the 91st birth anniversary of the man of many talents, the late singer and actor Kishore Kumar. To celebrate, we bring you his best songs that fit every person's every mood.

Born on August 4, 1929, as Abhas Kumar Ganguly, the veteran singer has not only forayed into the world of playback singing but has also stepped into the shoes of an actor, music director, lyricist, film story writer, film director, producer and screenwriter.

Kumar began singing the chorus in Bombay Talkies. In 1948, Kishore Kumar kick-started his playback journey with 'Ziddi'. He sang his first song 'Marne Ki Duayen Kyon Mangu' in the musical direction of Khemchand Prakash.

By the mid-1950s, Kishore Kumar had established himself with his powerful voice and versatile singing style. In addition, he'd also become a rather popular actor. His song 'Haal Kaisa Hai Janab Ka' from Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi (1958), power packs even a dull mood.

Until Kumar gleefully unleashed his yodels, no one would have imagined that an Alpine folk singing technique could become so popular in Bollywood. Kumar's track 'Main Hoon Jhum Jhum Jhumroo' from Jhumroo (1961), showcased both the stunning range of his voice and his reputation for being just a little cuckoo.

In 1962 film Half Ticket, Kumar's song 'Aake Seedhi Lagi Katariya' showed him dressed as a woman. He's being pursued by Pran, who is seen dancing. The song is a dialogue between a woman (played by a man) and a man. Kumar sang both parts. His falsetto doesn't falter and without losing a beat he shuttles between the two completely different pitches.

Kishore Kumar's talent for comedy and his ability to do the darndest things sometimes obscured fans to the fact that some of his most memorable songs are melancholy. The song 'Mere Mehboob Qayamat Hogi' from Mr. X in Bombay (1964) exhibits the true emotions of broken hearts.

The song 'Ek Chatur Naar' from Padosan (1968) is one of it's kind. The song had Manna Dey poking gentle fun at the Carnatic singing style and Kumar making music out of complete gibberish.

Like other playback singers of his time, Kishore Kumar also sang songs in languages other than Hindi. Kumar's cheerful track 'Hoo Amdavad No Rickshaa Walo' from Atit Na Sambharna tempt people to breathe in a bit of Gujarat.

While listing some of his popular tracks, how can we miss the song 'O Mere Dil Ke Chain' from Mere Jeevan Saathi (1972). Even after so many years, the romantic song still rules hearts and occupies a place in top playlist.

One of the hit iconic songs 'Pal Pal Dil Ke Pass' from Blackmail (1973) featured veteran actors Dharmendra and Rakhi. A timeless number was composed by Kalyanji-Anandji and written by Rajinder Krishan, was sung by Kumar.

With eight Filmfare Awards for Best Male Playback Singer under his name, the versatile singer held the record for winning the most Filmfare Awards in the category.

Kishore Kumar had time and again proved his versatility as he sang with elan. Apart from Hindi and Bengali, the singer had also forayed into other languages such as Marathi, Assamese, Gujarati, Kannada, Bhojpuri, Malayalam and Urdu.

Some of his successful commercial films were Ladki, Naya Andaz, Bhagam Bhaag, Aasha, Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi and many others.

Few of his melodious tunes such as Tum bin jaaon kahan, Zindagi ek safar hai suhana, Chala Jata Hoon has got the listeners humming to its tune ever since.

From 1970s and throughout 1980s, Kumar has lent his voice for the big shots including Rajesh Khanna, Amitabh Bachchan, Dharmendra, Jeetendra, Dev Anand, Shashi Kapoor, Vinod Khanna, Dilip Kumar, Shammi Kapoor, Randhir Kapoor, Rishi Kapoor, Naseeruddin Shah, Rajinikanth and others.

Kishore Kumar set an unbeatable record in his career. He had sung 245 songs for Rajesh Khanna, 202 for Jeetendra, 119 for Dev Anand and 131 for Amitabh.

Unfortunately, the filmdom lost the legendary singer on October 13, 1987.

On his 91th birth anniversary, we remember the singer-actor-director Kishore Kumar for his versatility like no one else.