By
Sharada Iyer
Kishore Kumar was a truly gifted singer with a God-given voice and though he never received any typical classical training he proved his uniqueness with every song and went on to become one of the pillars of the ‘Golden era’ of Hindi cinema. For the first twenty years of his career he acted in films as a hero and many of his early duets from the 50’s and 60’s were either picturized on himself or Dev Anand. By the end of 60’s, when he stopped acting, and turned to playback in full swing, he sang for a variety of actors.
When we think of duets of Kishore Kumar, automatically we end up remembering the vastly popular songs he has sung with Lata Mangeshkar and Asha Bhosle. Though it is true that in his career he sang maximum duets with these two singers, his repertoire also boasts of a variety of duets with veteran singers like Shamshad Begum, Geeta Dutt and Suman Kalyanpur, to rare voices like Sudha Malhotra, Vani Jayaram, Kanchan, Alisha Chinai, Aarti Mukherjee and Sulakshana Pandit right up to the new generation singers Alka Yagnik, Anuradha Paudwal, Kavita Krishnamurthy, Sushma Shreshta, and even South sensation P Susheela.
This blog is thus an attempt to recall and enjoy some rare duets of Kishore Kumar with all these singers. With Lata Mangeshkar and Asha Bhosle, I have chosen to include their very first duet with Kishore Kumar. Among the other female singers, some of the names are quite rare as they have sung very few songs in Hindi cinema. In the end there is an exceptional song where Kishore Kumar sings a duet with himself- he has sung in both the male as well as female voice taking the otherwise ordinary duet to extraordinary heights!
Duet with Lata Mangeshkar
Film: ZIDDI (‘Yeh kaun aaya re…’)
He sang his first duet with Lata Mangeshkar from the thoroughly enjoyable film Ziddi released in 1947. The song was picturized on Dev Anand and Kamini Kaushal and to music director Khemchand Prakash goes the credit of recording Kishore Kumar’s first duet. Incidentally the film also had Kishore Kumar’s first solo song. Ziddi was also an important milestone in the careers of the hero Dev Anand, the heroine Kamini Kaushal, the villain Pran and the vamp Kuldeep Kaur.
Duet with Asha Bhosle
Film: MUQADDAR (‘Aati hai yaad humko…’)
Both Kishore Kumar and Asha Bhosle entered the industry in 1948 and in the year 1950, they recorded their first duet for the film Muqaddar. Kishore Kumar himself acted in it along with Nalini Jaywant and Sajjan. Music director Khemchand Prakash again gets the credit for recording the first Kishore-Asha duet as well. Two other names are also credited as music directors alongside his name in the film- James Singh and Bhola Shreshtha (singer Sushma Shrestha’s father).
Duets with Geeta Dutt
Film: JAAL (‘De bhi chuke hum dil nazrana …’)
Kishore Kumar sang many popular duets with Geeta Dutt. Jaal released in the year 1952 and the music of the film was a super-hit. There was only one duet by Kishore Kumar and Geeta Dutt. Lyrics by Sahir Ludhianavi were set to tune by composer S D Burman and Kishore Kumar got to lend his voice to Dev Anand once again. Geeta Dutt who made her debut in 1947 was already a popular singer and in this song she matches Geeta Bali’s character with her superb singing.
Film: SHARARAT (‘Tune mera dil liya…’)
Starring Raj Kumar, Kishore Kumar, Kum Kum and Meena Kumari Shararat released in 1959 was a romantic musical drama. It was directed by H S Rawail, and had Kishore Kumar playing a double role. As Meena Kumari’s lover in the first role, he commits suicide as she is forced to marry Raj Kumar against her wishes and in the second role he plays Raj Kumar’s brother and when Meena lays her eyes on him for the first time, she faints at the uncanny resemblance. In this duet, composed by Shankar-Jaikishen, Meena Kumari matches Kishore’s playfulness on screen making it a thoroughly enjoyable watch.
Film: ADHIKAAR (‘Kamaata hun bahut kuch main kamaayi…’)
Music director Avinash Vyas and lyricist Raja Mehndi Ali Khan have captured the spirit of Kishore Kumar so beautifully in this song from Adhikaar (1954). The combination of the perfect lyrics and the perfect tune bring out his personality so aptly that is is safe to say no other actor or singer could have done justification to this song. Geeta Dutt matches Kishoreda’s energy with some sprightly singing making this duet a joy to watch.
Duet with Shamshad Begum
Film: NAYA ANDAZ (‘Meri neendon mein tum…’)
Shamshad Begum was the highest paid female playback singer in Hindi cinema during the 40’s and 50’s and it is said that she had predicted Kishore Kumar’s success when he was singing as a chorus boy in one of her recordings for the film Shabnam. Her words came true and Kishore Kumar had the good fortune to sing some duets with her during his career. I am posting the most popular duet of this singing pair picturized on Kishore Kumar himself as he plays the lead opposite the beautiful Meena Kumari in Naya Andaz released in 1954. Music director was O P Nayyar.
Duet with Sudha Malhotra
Film: GIRL FRIEND (‘Kashti ka khamosh safar hai…’)
This film directed by Satyen Bose had Hemant Kumar as the music director and starred Kishore Kumar and Waheeda Rehman. It was released in 1960, but sadly no print of the film can be found on YouTube. However the audio songs are available and this beautiful composition has Kishore Kumar and Sudha Malhotra lending their voices giving life to Sahir Ludhianvi’s words. She had a rare voice and was discovered as a child artiste by Master Ghulam Haider and though she sang only a few songs, they were all memorable.
Duet with Sulakshana Pandit
Film: DOOR KA RAAHI (‘Beqarar dil tu gaaye ja…’)
Sulakshna Pandit who became popular as a singer-actress started her career as a child singer in 1967 in the film Taqdeer with the song – ‘Saat samundar paar se…’ and as an adult singer in 1971 in the film Door Ka Raahi. The film was produced and directed by Kishore Kumar and apart from acting in it, he was also the music director of the film. The poignant Kishore-Sulakshna duet -‘Bekaraar dil tu gaaye ja…’ was picturized on Ashok Kumar and Tanuja with Kishore Kumar being just a passive listener in the sequence. The song became very popular and is remembered to this day.
Duet with Usha Mangeshkar
Film: DO JHOOT (‘Chatri na khol ud jaayegi…’)
Usha Mangeshkar was a playback singer in Hindi and Marathi films, but could not carve much of a niche as compared to her super talented sisters Lata Mangeshkar and Asha Bhosle. She got to sing only a few duets with Kishoreda and the song chosen here is probably their most famous duet. Music directors Shankar-Jaikishen composed this popular number picturized on Vinod Mehra and Moushumi Chatterjee in the year 1975.
Duet with Anuradha Paudwal
Film: JAANI DUSHMAN (‘O meri jaan bol meri janan…’)
Anuradha Paudwal made her debut in Hindi films by singing a small Sanskrit shloka in the film Abhiman in 1973. Thereafter she had a great run in the industry singing many popular songs. She sang with Kishore Kumar on a number of occasions and the song chosen here from Jaani Dushman in 1979 is a fun-filled peppy number picturized on Jeetendra and Neetu Singh. Later she attained popularity gaining the title of ‘Bhajan Queen’ for her contribution towards devotional music.
Duet with Alka Yagnik
Film: KAAMCHOR (‘Tumse badhkar duniya mein …’ )
Alka Yagnik who started her playback career as a child, got her first song as an adult in the film Payal Ki Jhankar in the year 1980. In 1981 she shot to fame with her solo ‘Mere angne mein…’ from Laawaris and in 1982, she got the lovely opportunity to sing a duet with Kishore Kumar in the film Kaamchor. Music director Rajesh Roshan can be credited with making Kishoreda sing with the young Alka and the result was a mesmerizing duet which topped the charts when released.
Duet with Suman Kalyanpur
Film: SAAS BHI KABHI BAHU THI (‘Suno ji tum tum bade wo ho…’)
Suman Kalyanpur entered the industry in the 50’s and though she was known for having a voice similar to Lata Mangeshkar, she has left an indelible mark of her own and has several popular songs to her credit. She sang with Kishore Kumar for the first time in the film Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi in the year 1970 under music director R D Burman. The foot-tapping song was picturized on Leena Chandravarkar and Sanjay Khan.
Film: KASHISH (‘Do pardesi anjaane se…’)
Suman Kalyanpur’s most popular song with Kishore Kumar is the title song from the film Badaltey Rishtey where Mohammed Rafi also sings a stanza, but permission to embed in the blog is not there. So here is another lovely duet of the duo from the film Kashish sung for music directors Kalyanji-Anandji.
Duet with Vani Jayaram
Film: EK MUTTHI AASMAAN (‘Pyar kabhi kum na karna sanam…’)
Vani Jayaram, adept at singing both Carnatic and Hindustani classical with the same ease, became a household name after her very first song ‘Bole re papihara…’ from the film Guddi in 1971. Introduced to the film industry by veteran music director Vasant Desai, Vani recorded several songs in Hindi before turning her full focus on Tamil, Telugu and Malayalam film industries. She sang only two songs with Kishore Kumar- a duet from Ek Mutthi Aasman (1973) composed by Madan Mohan, and 10 years later, teamed up with Sulakshana Pandit and Kishore Kumar in the film Siskeyaan (1983) for a song composed by Sapan Jagmohan.
Duet with Kanchan
Film: CHORI MERA KAAM (‘Main kachey angoor ki bel…’)
Singer Kanchan who sang a few songs in Hindi cinema in the 70’s and 80’s was the wife of Babla, younger brother of the music director duo Kalyanji and Anandji. Though they gave her some very good songs to sing, she did not make any waves and soon left the industry. But she did get the chance to sing some duets with Kishore Kumar. The song taken here is from the film Chori Mera Kaam and picturized on Zeenat Aman and Ashok Kumar.
Duet with Kavita Krishnamoorthy
Film: Mr. INDIA (‘Karte hain hum pyaar Mr. India se…’)
The turning point in Kavita Krishnamurthy’s career came with her two superhit songs in Mr India– one was a solo-‘Hawa Hawaai…’ and the other was ‘Karte hain hum pyar Mr India se…’ a duet with Kishore Kumar. She was also very fortunate to have got the opportunity to sing with the great legend in this film before he passed away in October1987. Music directors Laxmikant-Pyarelal get the credit for this one.
Duet with Aarti Mukherjee
Film: TAPASYA (‘Do panchi do tinke kaho leke chale hain kahaan…’)
Aarti Mukherjee who became famous after the film Geet Gaata Chal had the chance to record this superb duet with Kishore Kumar for the film Tapsaya. Released in 1976, the film told the tale of sacrifice and patience and the music director was Ravindra Jain. The duet sung during happy times is a turning point in the film as the lives of both the protagonists take an unforeseen turn after this and their dreams are shattered.
Duet with Hemlata
Film: PARAKH (‘Hone laga hai mujhe aapka nasha…’)
Hemlata has been part of this industry since the age of 13. Her title song from the film Akhiyon Ke Jharokon se fetched her immense popularity and she sang many songs for Rajashri Productions. Music directors Usha Khanna and Ravindra Jain encouraged her a lot and the duet chosen in this blog was composed by the latter. The song is from the film Parakh (1987), and picturized on Simple Kapadia and Vijayendra Ghatge.
Duet with Annette Pinto
Film: KUDRAT (‘Chodo sanam kaahe ka gham…’)
Annette Pinto was a singer from Goa who sang a few film songs. In Kudrat (1981), a film based on the fascinating subject of reincarnation, she had a duet with Kishore Kumar where her voice was picturized on Kalpana Iyer, who plays a club dancer, and Kishore Kumar sings for Vinod Khanna. Music director was R D Burman.
Duet with P Susheela
Film: SINGHASAN (‘Tere liye maine janam liya…’)
In 1986, Padmalaya Studios produced a film shot simultaneously in Hindi and Telugu languages. The Hindi version Singhasan starred Jeetendra in a dual role opposite Jaya Prada and Mandakini. Music director Bappi Lahiri managed to rope in the superstar singer of South Indian cinema P Susheela, to sing 2 duets with Kishore Kumar. The two songs however did not do justice to the talent of the two doyens of the music industry.
Duet with Alisha Chinai
Film: Mr. INDIA (‘Kaate nahi katthe ye din ye raat…’ )
Mr India released in May 1987 and Kishore Kumar passed away in October 1987. It was indeed a stroke of luck for Alisha Chinai to have got the opportunity to sing a duet with Kishoreda. The film was a super-hit and so was this duet composed by Laxmikant-Pyarelal who thought of signing this new voice emerging in the indie-pop scene at that time. The picturization was quite unique as it featured Sridevi in a blue chiffon sari dancing with her imaginary lover-Mr. India. She is unable to see him and can only feel his presence and touch.
Duet with Pamela Chopra
Film: TRISHUL (‘Ja ri behna ja…’)
Director Yash Chopra’s wife Pamela Chopra would often lend her voice to some songs for films under YRF banner and she thus got the chance of singing a few times with Kishore Kumar. The song taken here is from the film Trishul (1978), and did not attain the popularity of the other songs from the film. The song is a ‘bidaai’ song, when a customary send off is given to a sister at the time of her marriage. The song here is sung by Yesudas, Kishore Kumar and Pamela Chopra.
Duet with Chandrani Mukherjee
Film: LAPARWAH (‘Koi bhi dil mein na aaya tha…’)
Chandrani Mukherjee made her debut in Hindi cinema in the year 1975 and sang about 45-50 songs in her short career. She was the sister-in-law of music director Bappi Lahiri. The song taken here is from the film Laparwah (1981) and is picturized on Mithun Chakravorthy and Ranjeeta Thakur who were a popular pair in the 80’s.
Duet with Sabina Yasmin
Film: AAR PAAR (‘Jaiyyo na jaiyyo na door…’)
Produced and directed by Shakti Samanta, Aar Paar (1985) was a joint Indo-Bangladesh venture starring Mithun Chakravorthy and Bangladeshi actress Rozina. The duet here composed by R D Burman has been sung by Kishore Kumar and popular Bangladeshi singer Sabina Yasmin.
Duet with Sharda
Film: NAINA (‘Jaane mujhe tune kya cheez pila di…’)
Singer Sharda made a remarkable debut in Bollywood in the 1968 film Suraj and her very first song ‘Titli udi, ud jo chali…’ became a superhit and she was tied up with Mohammed Rafi for the best singer award in the Filmfare awards. She sang a few duets with Kishore Kumar in her short career, and this one taken from the film Naina, 1973, has the dashing Shashi Kapoor and dancer Padma Khanna grooving to the catchy song. She was discovered by music directors Shankar-Jaikishen and this song was also composed by the duo.
Duet with Sushma Shrestha
Film: AA GALE LAG JA (‘Tera mujhse hai pehle ka naata koi…’)
The young talented singer Sushma Shreshtha became popular as a child singer with her very first song- ‘Haina bolo bolo…’ in Andaz in 1971. in 1979, she was roped in by R D Burman to sing a duet with Kishore Kumar in Aa Gale Lag Ja. While Kishore sings for Shashi Kapoor, Sushma’s voice is used for the child actor Master Tito, who plays Shashi Kapoor’s son in the film. The song with its catchy beats continues to be popular even today. Kishoreda encouraged Sushma in her career.
Duet with Anupama Deshpande
Film: KAASH (‘O yaara, tu pyaar se hai pyaara…’)
Anupama Deshpande won the Filmfare Best female playback singer award for her very first film Sohni Mahiwal for the folk song ‘Soni chenab de kinare se pukare…’ . She is also known for her famous song ‘Humko aaj kal hai intezaar from Sailaab picturized on Madhuri Dixit. Here is the YouTube link to the duet Anupama got a chance to sing with Kishore Kumar in 1987 for the film Kaash. Starring Jackie Shroff and Dimple Kapadia, the music was by Rajesh Roshan.
Duet with Salma Agha
Film: OONCHE LOG (‘Tu mera kya laage o saathiya…’)
Directed by Brij Sadanah, this was an extremely dull film of Rajesh Khanna where nothing was worth remembering about the story, the screenplay, the acting by the cast, the characters they played or even the music. The film which released in 1985 was not received well by the audience. As Salma Agha sang her own songs in films, this duet is picturized on herself and Rajesh Khanna with the music composer being R D Burman. Even the on-screen pairing of Rajesh Khanna and Salma Agha had no chemistry.
Duet with Nazia Hassan
Film: MAIN BALWAAN (‘Halla gulla karen hum…’)
Nazia Hassan a Pakistani singer, was only 15 years old when she stormed the music scene with her very first song ‘Aap jaisa koi meri zindagi…’ (Qurbani), picturized on Zeenat Aman. It was Zeenat Aman who introduced the young Nazia to Feroz Khan who immediately signed her for the film and the song became a sensational hit. She got the opportunity to sing with Kishore Kumar in 1986 in the film Main Balwaan and the duet composed by Bappi Lahiri was picturized on Mithun Chakravorty and Meenakshi Sheshadri. As the video clip is barred from sharing, I am posting the audio link of this duet.
Duet with Usha Khanna
Film: WAQT KE SHEHZAADE (‘Tere liye chaandi ka bangla banaunga…’)
Music director Usha Khanna who wanted to become a singer before she turned her focus to composing music has sung very few songs. In Waqt ke Shehzaade, released in 1982, she is also the music director and takes this opportunity to sing with Kishore Kumar. The actors on screen are Mukesh Khanna and Rati Agnihotri. Though this song was popular in its time I wonder how many would have known that the female voice was that of Usha Khanna.
Duet with S Janaki
Film: PAAP KI DUNIYA (‘Main tera tota tu meri maina…’)
It was music director Bappi Lahiri who introduced South singer S Janaki to Bollywood and she sang a few duets with Kishore Kumar. The duet take here is from the film Paap Ki Duniya which released in 1987. the song picturized on Chunkey Pandey and Neelam became very popular.
Duet with Sadhana Sargam
Film: RUKHSAT (‘Deewaana main hoon tera…’)
Kishore Kumar and Sadhana Sargam sang very few duets together. This film Rukhsat was released in 1988 and was directed by Simi Garewal. It had an unusual story line and Mithun Chakravorthy, Anuradha Patel and Marc Zuber gave good performances. This song taken here is picturized on Mithun and a child artiste and is composed by Kalyanji Anandji.
Song with 7 female singers-Anuradha Paudwal, Alka Yagnik, Kanchan, Sadhana Sargam, Shivangi Kolhapure, Padmini Kolhapure, Kavita Krishnamurthy
Film: VIDHAATA (‘Saat saheliyaan khadi khadi…’)
In the film Vidhaata, Kishore Kumar had the rare opportunity to sing with 7 female singers for a dance picturized on Padmini Kolhapure, with each singer singing a stanza each. Music was by Kalyanji-Anandji and two of the singers Padmini Kolhapure and Shivangi Kolhapure are 2 new voices here who do not have a full duet with him. Though Kishore Kumar and Shammi Kapoor were good friends in personal life and even acted together in the film Mem Sahib in 1956, Kishore got the opportunity to sing for Shammi Kapoor for the first and the last time in Vidhaata, as Mohammed Rafi (the voice of Shammi Kapoor) had passed away in 1980, and the film released in 1982.
Duet with himself where he sings in a female voice
Film: HALF TICKET (‘Aake seedhi lagi …’)
This must be the only instance when a male singer sang a duet with his own self but singing in a female voice. The said song picturized on Kishore Kumar (dressed as a woman) and Pran was to have been recorded in the voices of Lata Mangeshkar and Kishore Kumar. But for some reason Lataji could not reach the recording studio on time and Kishore Kumar convinced music director Salil Choudhury to let him sing in the female voice as well. The result was spectacular and so apt for this comedy film. The video song cannot be embedded here hence including the audio version.
