Kishore Kumar Birth Anniversary: Javed Akhtar says there will be no one like ‘Kishore Da’; wonders ‘if any performer is missed with such intensity’

Kishore Kumar Birth Anniversary: Javed Akhtar says there will be no one like ‘Kishore Da’; wonders ‘if any performer is missed with such intensity’

As a lifestyle expert with a deep appreciation for music and its impact on our lives, I can wholeheartedly say that Kishore Kumar‘s talent was nothing short of extraordinary. Born Abhas Kumar Ganguly, he transcended the boundaries of language and culture to become a global sensation. His voice was not just heard, but felt, as if the heroes he sang for were singing themselves.


August 4th is the day we honor the 95th birthday of the legendary singer, with people worldwide commemorating his extraordinary talent. Notably, Javed Akhtar, a seasoned lyricist, has also joined in the celebration by penning a heartfelt tribute. On his social media platform (X handle), he muses if anyone is longed for as deeply as this iconic figure.

Akhtar posted on Twitter today: “Today marks Kishoreda’s birthday; it seems that in the entertainment industry worldwide, no artist, even after so many years, is missed as profoundly as Kishoreda. Such a unique talent like yours will never return.” Javed had also shared this sentiment earlier about Kishore da, and added: “Millions of people miss you every day, and I am among them.”

In my post, numerous followers joined the conversation and voiced their opinions. One user praised Javed’s insights, stating that his thoughts were spot-on. Another user admired Kishore Kumar, claiming he possessed a rare quality where his voice embodied the characters for whom he sang. To put it in their words, when Kishore sang for Dev Anand or Rajesh Khanna, it felt as if they themselves were singing. And when he performed for Amitabh Bachchan, it seemed as if Amitabh himself was the one singing.

Kishore Kumar Birth Anniversary: Javed Akhtar says there will be no one like ‘Kishore Da’; wonders ‘if any performer is missed with such intensity’

As Abhas Kumar Ganguly, Kishore Kumar emerged as one of the most impactful and vibrant singers in Indian music history. His unique yodeling and talent for singing in multiple voices gained global recognition. Spanning languages such as Hindi, Bengali, Marathi, Assamese, Gujarati, Kannada, Bhojpuri, Malayalam, Odia, and Urdu, Kumar’s vocal range was extraordinary. Tragically, on October 13, 1987 – coincidentally also his brother Ashok Kumar’s 76th birthday – Kishore da passed away from a heart attack in Bombay.

As a lifelong fan of Indian cinema, I have always been deeply moved by the stories and songs that have emerged from this vibrant industry. One such song that has left a lasting impact on me is “Guru Guru,” sung by the legendary Mohammed Rafi just one day before his untimely death in 1988. The song was composed by Bappi Lahiri for the movie Waqt Ki Awaz, and I have no doubt that it will continue to resonate with audiences for many years to come.

Read More

2024-08-04 13:52