- Lived
- 58 yrs
- 1929 – 1987
- Works listed
- 6
- Film (actor), Song
- Honours
- 0
- Awards & distinctions
- Profile views
- 0
- 0 followers
Kishore Kumar was a playback singer, actor, composer and director whose versatile, self-taught voice made him one of the most popular singers in Hindi film history. He won the Filmfare Award for Best Male Playback Singer a record eight times.
Biography
Actor and singer
The youngest brother of actor Ashok Kumar, Kishore came to Bombay to sing but was first cast as an actor. He became a comedy star in films such as Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi (1958), Jhumroo and Padosan (1968), singing for himself and developing his trademark yodel.
The voice of a generation
Aradhana (1969), with songs such as “Mere Sapnon Ki Rani” and “Roop Tera Mastana”, made him the leading male playback singer, especially as the voice of Rajesh Khanna and later Amitabh Bachchan. His partnership with composer R. D. Burman produced many of the era’s defining songs.
He died of a heart attack in Bombay on 13 October 1987. His son Amit Kumar is also a singer.
Self-taught genius
Kishore Kumar had no formal training in classical music, yet his ease across moods — romantic, playful, sad and philosophical — made him one of the most versatile singers in Indian film. He idolised the singer K. L. Saigal, developed a distinctive yodel, and was known for impromptu improvisations in the recording studio.
Composer, director and eccentric
He composed, wrote, produced and directed films including Jhumroo, Door Gagan Ki Chhaon Mein and Door Ka Raahi. Stories of his eccentricity — demanding payment in advance, pretending to be mad to avoid producers — are part of Bollywood legend. During the Emergency his songs were banned from All India Radio for a time after he refused to sing at a Youth Congress event.
Legacy
His songs for Rajesh Khanna, Dev Anand and Amitabh Bachchan, many composed by R. D. Burman, remain staples of Indian popular music. The Madhya Pradesh government gives an annual Kishore Kumar Award in his honour, and his memorial is in his hometown of Khandwa.
Timeline
-
1929
Born in Khandwa, Central Provinces (now Madhya Pradesh)
-
1948
First playback song
In the film Ziddi.
-
1958
Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi
-
1961
Jhumroo
Also composes and writes.
-
1964
Directs Door Gagan Ki Chhaon Mein
-
1968
Padosan
-
1969
Aradhana
Becomes the leading playback singer.
-
1976
Songs briefly banned from All India Radio
During the Emergency.
-
1987
Dies in Bombay
On 13 October.
-
1987
Died, aged 58
Notable works
-
1958
Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi Film (actor)
-
1968
Padosan Film (actor)
-
1969
Roop Tera Mastana (Aradhana) Song
-
1969
Mere Sapnon Ki Rani (Aradhana) Song
-
1971
Zindagi Ek Safar (Andaz) Song
-
1973
Pal Pal Dil Ke Paas (Blackmail) Song
Did you know?
-
1
He had no formal training in music.
-
2
He was known for his yodelling.
-
3
He was cremated in his hometown, Khandwa, where a memorial now stands.
Connections
Frequently asked
Who is Kishore Kumar?
Kishore Kumar was a playback singer, actor, composer and director whose versatile, self-taught voice made him one of the most popular singers in Hindi film history. He won the Filmfare Award for Best Male Playback Singer a record eight times.
When did Kishore Kumar die?
Kishore Kumar died on 13 October 1987 at the age of 58.
Where is Kishore Kumar from?
Kishore Kumar was born in Khandwa, Central Provinces (now Madhya Pradesh).
What is Kishore Kumar known for?
Kishore Kumar is best known for “Mere Sapnon Ki Rani”, “Roop Tera Mastana”, Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi, Padosan.
Who is Kishore Kumar married to?
Spouses: Ruma Guha Thakurta, Madhubala, Yogeeta Bali, Leena Chandavarkar.
References
- Kishore Kumar — Wikipedia. Wikipedia. Retrieved 26 October 2026.
- Kishore Kumar — Britannica. Encyclopaedia Britannica. Retrieved 26 October 2026.
- Kishore Kumar — IMDb. IMDb. Retrieved 26 October 2026.
- Kishore Kumar — Spotify. Spotify. Retrieved 26 October 2026.
- Kishore Kumar — Hindi Wikipedia. Wikipedia (Hindi). Retrieved 26 October 2026.
- Kishore Kumar (Q471542) — structured data. Wikidata. Retrieved 26 October 2026.
External links
About this profile
- Researched by the TrackFame editors; reviewed by Sanjay Sokal
- First published 26 October 2026
- Last updated
Cite this page
“Kishore Kumar.” TrackFame, last updated 26 October 2026. https://trackfame.com/person/kishore-kumar
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