Remembering Kishore Kumar: Photos from the legendary singer's life

Remembering Kishore Kumar: On the birth anniversary of the versatile singer-actor Kishore Kumar, we remember the genius with some rare pictures from his life and interesting facts about him

Updated On: 2023-08-04 10:04 AM IST

Compiled by : Athulya Nambiar

Remembering Kishore Kumar: Photos from the legendary singer's life

Kishore Kumar was very fond of his birthplace and used to visit it quite often. He was so attached with Khandwa that he wished that his last rites should also be performed in that city only. In picture: Kishore with Bhupen Hazarika

Kishore Kumar was married to Ruma Ghosh for eight years. The couple after marrying in 1950, parted ways in 1958. In picture: Kishore with Anup Jalota

It is believed that the famous song 'Panch Rupaiya Barah Aana' from the film "Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi" has its genesis to Kishore Kumar's indebtedness, during his college days. In picture: Kishore Kumar and Yogeeta Bali during their wedding which lasted for only a couple of years

Kishore Kumar studied in Indore Christian College from 1946 to 1948 and moved to Mumbai leaving his study midway. He rose to become a playback singer, actor, lyricist, composer, producer, director, and screenwriter. In picture: A very young Kishore Kumar

Kumar was fond of milk and jalebis, and his fans pay tribute at his Samadhi by offering these two favourite dishes of the singer. In picture: Kishore with Geeta Dutt and lyricist Bharat Vyas.

Kishore Kumar's birth name was Abhas Kumar Ganguly. Born on August 4, 1929, in Khandwa town in Madhya Pradesh, Kishore Kumar started his career in the field of acting, with "Shikari" in 1946. His father, Kunjalal Ganguly, was a famous lawyer. In picture: Kishore and his family with Amitabh Bachchan and Dara Singh. (All pictures/mid-day archives)

In 1980, Kishore Kumar married Leena Chandavarkar. Unfortunately, seven years later Kumar passed away. In picture: Kishore with Bappi Lahiri

Kishore Kumar used to skip classes and used to sing songs and practise his trademark 'Yodeling' under an 'imli' (tamarind) tree. In picture: Kishore with his wife Leena Chandavarkar and son Sumit

Though Kishore Kumar was known for his eccentric nature, his son Amit Kumar begged to differ. "He was not an eccentric person. The media labelled him like that. He was a great artiste, a very simple man and humble. Even if he was eccentric, it was not wrong because my daddy always used to say 'Duniya kehta main pagal aur main bolta duniya pagal'. In picture: Kishoreda in Jhumroo

Two years later, Kishore Kumar married actress Madhubala in 1960. However, the actress passed away in 1969, leaving Kumar in deep grief. In picture: The singer performing at a function

Kishore Kumar passed away on October 13, 1987, in Mumbai, and was cremated in Khandwa, his birthplace. In picture: Kishore Kumar celebrating his birthday

In 1976, Kishore Kumar married Yogeeta Bali. However, their marriage lasted for two years and the couple got divorced in 1978. In picture: Kishore with his family (Ashok Kumar sitting to his right)

As per his wish, his last rites were performed on October 13, 1987, on the outskirts of Khandwa city where a Samadhi was set up. In picture: Kishoreda having fun at work

Asha Bhosle crooned many duets with Kishore composed by S.D. Burman. Some of these songs include "Chhod do aanchal", "Ankhon mein kya ji", "Haal kaisa hai janaab ka" and "Paanch rupaiya baara aana". In picture: Kishore with Asha Bhosle and Jaikishan

As an actor, he was seen in films like Padosan, Half Ticket and Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi. In picture: This is how we would like to remember Kishore da as - the man who always laughed

The actor-singer-filmmaker was famous for his theatrics

'Maana janaab Ne Pukara Nahin', 'Yeh jo mohabbat Hai', 'O hansini meri hansini', 'Roop tera mastana', 'Ek ladki bheegi bhaagi si', 'Haal kaisa hai janaab ka', 'Neele neele ambar par' and 'Aise na mujhe tum dekho' are some of the hits the singer had given. In picture: The two singing legends - Kishore Kumar and Mohammed Rafi.

Kishore Kumar, fondly known as Kishore-da, gave the Indian film industry songs like 'Chalte chalte mere ye geet yaad rakhna, kabhi alvida na kehna', 'O hansini', 'Aa chal ke tujhe', 'Pal pal dil ke paas', 'Hawa ke saath saath', 'Chhukar mere mann ko' and 'Jahaan teri ye nazar hai'. In picture: Kishore with his first wife Ruma and son Amit.

In 1948, music director Khemchand Prakash gave Kumar a chance to sing "Marne ki duayen kyon mangu" for the film 'Ziddi'. In picture: Kishore with Madhubala, to whom he was briefly married, in Jhumroo

Well, did you know Kishore Kumar was married four times? In picture: Kishore Kumar and Leena Chandavarkar

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