The legendary voice will come alive again as V.N. Prasad and team of Mysore presents a musical nite 'Moods of Kishore Kumar' at the NIE College auditorium tomorrow at 6 pm. The programme has been organised to raise funds for the pulse polio project of Rotary International District 3180. The tickets are priced at Rs. 100. Prasad may be contacted on Mob: 9449058209.

By V.N. Prasad

The legendary playback singer Kishore Kumar could sing, dance, act, mimic, compose and direct. An enigma to many, he possessed immeasurable attributes like eccentricity, prankster and excessive sensitivity. "Koyi Humdam Naraha, Koyi Sahara Naraha. Hum Kisike Narahe, Koyi Hamara Naraha" was the backdrop in which Kishore grew from virtual nothingness to stardom.

Through the thorny path, it was all the way "Duniya O Duniya, Tera Jawab Nahin, Teri Jafaon Ka Bas Koyi Hisab Nahin". But eventually it was the spirit of 'Rukh Jana Nahin Tu Kahin Haarke, Kanton Pe Chalke Milenge Saye Bahaarke" that made him go on and on to register that meteoric rise.

Born on August 4, 1929, in Khandwa, Madhya Pradesh, Abhas Kumar Ganguly — alias Kishore Kumar — was a born actor and singer. Ashok Kumar was never confident of Kishore's abilities to rise in filmdom.

The veteran composer Khemchand Prakash offered Kishore a chance to sing for Dev Anand in the film Ziddi. Though Kishore and Dev Anand later became synonymous in the late fifties and sixtees, Kishore’s singing career never settled for over a decade. He took to acting more out of frustration and he hated acting. He tried every weird and eccentric way to get out of acting and every deliberate awkward move of his in front of the camera was appreciated by the viewers. He was compelled to face the camera again and again. All time blockbusters emerged through New Delhi (1956), Asha (1957), Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi (1958), Jhumroo (1961), Half Ticket (1962), Shreeman Funtoosh (1965) and Padosan (1968). His acting career got so busy that for the film Sharaarat, Rafi had to sing for Kishore!!

It was Sachin Dev Burman who made Kishore the voice of Dev Anand in Guide, Jewel Thief, Paying Guest and Munimji. And as Rajesh Khanna's voice in Aradhana Kishore was firmly established.

Kishore’s extraordinary adaptability shifted to Amitabh Bachchan, Dharmendra, Sanjeev Kumar, Rishi Kapoor etc. The hits in films Don, Sharabi, Mili, Amar Akbar Anthony, Hum Kisi Se Kum Nahin, Kinara, Dream Girl, Anurodh, Mr. Natwarlal, Gol Maal, Dostana, Manzil, Padosan, Shalimar, Khatta Meetha, Kasme Vaade, Muqaddar Ka Sikandar, etc — the list is endless — created history.

Kishore’s eccentricities have been well-catalogued and were probably his way of defending himself from a cruel, confused world. His personal life was a search for that elusive happiness which he seems to have found in Leena Chandavarkar. Kishore Kumar passed away on Oct. 13, 1987. He was only 58.