Entertainment

Kishore Kumar: The man who made Yodelling a fashion in the country

Today we celebrate the birthday of one of the most successful playback singers of the country, Kishore Da as he is fondly known. Although he did not receive any formal training in music, he became one of the most prolific singers in the Hindi music industry. 
Kishore Kumar was born in a Bengali family in Khandwa, as Abhas Kumar Ganguly. (YouTube Screengrab)
Kishore Kumar was born in a Bengali family in Khandwa, as Abhas Kumar Ganguly. (YouTube Screengrab)
Online Desk
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Abhas Kumar changed his name to 'Kishore Kumar' and started his cinema career as a chorus singer at Bombay Talkies. Music director S. D. Burman is credited with spotting Kumar's talent for singing. (During a song recording - Express photo)
Abhas Kumar changed his name to 'Kishore Kumar' and started his cinema career as a chorus singer at Bombay Talkies. Music director S. D. Burman is credited with spotting Kumar's talent for singing. (During a song recording - Express photo)
Kumar developed his own style of singing, which featured yodelling, which he had heard on the records of Tex Morton and Jimmie. He was deeply impacted by their singing and style.(YouTube screen grab)
Kumar developed his own style of singing, which featured yodelling, which he had heard on the records of Tex Morton and Jimmie. He was deeply impacted by their singing and style.(YouTube screen grab)
Kishore Kumar married four times. His first wife was Bengali singer and actress Ruma Guha Thakurta aka Ruma Ghosh. Their marriage lasted from 1950 to 1958. (YouTube Screengrab)
Kishore Kumar married four times. His first wife was Bengali singer and actress Ruma Guha Thakurta aka Ruma Ghosh. Their marriage lasted from 1950 to 1958. (YouTube Screengrab)
His second wife was actress Madhubala, who had worked with him in many films including his home production Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi (1958) and Jhumroo (1961). Their marriage ended with Madhubala's death on 23 February 1969. (YouTube Screengrab)
His second wife was actress Madhubala, who had worked with him in many films including his home production Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi (1958) and Jhumroo (1961). Their marriage ended with Madhubala's death on 23 February 1969. (YouTube Screengrab)
Kishore's third marriage was to Yogeeta Bali, and lasted from 1976 to 4 August 1978. (YouTube Screengrab)
Kishore's third marriage was to Yogeeta Bali, and lasted from 1976 to 4 August 1978. (YouTube Screengrab)
Kishore was married to Leena Chandavarkar from 1980 until his death. He had two sons, Amit Kumar with Ruma, and Sumit Kumar with Leena Chandavarkar. (YouTube screen grab)
Kishore was married to Leena Chandavarkar from 1980 until his death. He had two sons, Amit Kumar with Ruma, and Sumit Kumar with Leena Chandavarkar. (YouTube screen grab)
During the Indian Emergency Sanjay Gandhi asked Kishore to sing for an Indian National Congress rally in Mumbai, but he refused.As a result, Information and broadcasting minister Vidya Charan Shukla put an unofficial ban on playing Kishore Kumar songs on state broadcasters All India Radio and Doordarshan from 4 May 1976 till the end of Emergency.(YouTube screen grab)
During the Indian Emergency Sanjay Gandhi asked Kishore to sing for an Indian National Congress rally in Mumbai, but he refused.As a result, Information and broadcasting minister Vidya Charan Shukla put an unofficial ban on playing Kishore Kumar songs on state broadcasters All India Radio and Doordarshan from 4 May 1976 till the end of Emergency.(YouTube screen grab)
He sang for 1,188 movies, and in several Indian regional languages. He won most number of Filmfare awards for male playback singing. (Express Photo)
He sang for 1,188 movies, and in several Indian regional languages. He won most number of Filmfare awards for male playback singing. (Express Photo)
On 13 October 1987 he died of a heart attack in Mumbai. Even after so many years his is one of the most celebrated voices in India and many of his evergreen songs are remixed and revived every once in a while. (Hindi actor Ashok Kumar (centre) with his brothers Kishore Kumar (left) and Anup Kumar - Express photo)
On 13 October 1987 he died of a heart attack in Mumbai. Even after so many years his is one of the most celebrated voices in India and many of his evergreen songs are remixed and revived every once in a while. (Hindi actor Ashok Kumar (centre) with his brothers Kishore Kumar (left) and Anup Kumar - Express photo)
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