Kishore Kumar (August 4, 1929 - October 13, 1987), born as Abhas Kumar Ganguly, was a Bollywood playback singer and actor of Indian origin. Kishore is widely acknowedged as a true genius and is regarded as probably the finest ever Indian male playback singer of all times.

Although known primarily for his successes as a singer, Kumar also was a noted actor. His comedy work included Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi (1958), Half Ticket (1962), Padosan (1968), Baap Re Baap (1955), Pyar Diwana (1973), Hungama (1971), and Badthi Ka Naam Dadhi (1974). As a straight actor he had roles in films such as Naukri, Bandi, Door Gagan Ki Chhaon Mein, Door Ka Raahi.

In addition, Kumar achieved notable successes as a lyricist, composer, producer, director, screenwriter and scriptwriter.

Childhood:
Kumar was born in a Bengali family as Abhas Kumar Ganguly, in the small town of Khandwa in Madhya Pradesh. His father Kunjalal Ganguly was a lawyer and from a middle-class family, whereas his mother Gouri Devi was from a wealthy background. Kumar was the youngest of four children born to his parents. Ashok Kumar was the eldest son, followed by Sati Devi, the only daughter in the family. Next was Anoop Kumar, and five years younger to Anoop was Kishore. When Kumar was still a child, his elder brother Ashok Kumar became a star actor in Bollywood, which had a major effect on the youngest Kumar. He became a great fan of K. L. Saigal and used to do impressions of his singing. Often his parents would persuade him to mimic his brother`s Ashok Kumar`s song Main ban ka panchhi ban ban ke. Anoop Kumar also ventured into Bollywood following Ashok`s successes.

Last years:
Kishore`s son Amit Kumar was already a popular singer in 1980s, thanks to patronage by R D Burman and Rajesh Roshan. But Kishore was still around, singing for established and young heroes alike. Kishore Kumar and Amitabh had some misunderstanding in mid-1980s. Kishore was producing a movie and Amitabh (who was a Bollywood deity by then) was supposed to do a guest-appearance in the movie. Amitabh arrived at the shoot, but left after few minutes, asking his secretary to tell Kishore that he wouldn`t act in the movie. Kishore got upset and decided never to sing for Amitabh again. Incidentally, Amitabh`s films started flopping after this and he faced the worst phase in his Bollywood career.

Kishore sang for Anil Kapoor in his first movie, Woh Saat Din. He also sang for him in his first superhit movie Mr. India. LP gave the music for both the movies. In 1987, he sang some really nice songs for R D Burman in the movie Saagar - Saagar jaisi aankhon waali (based on Raga Yaman) and Saagar kinaare dil yeh pukaare (duet with Lata). The songs were penned by Javed Akhtar.

In 1987, Kishore decided to retire from Bollywood and go back to his roots, his village Khandwa, and in October 1987 he breathed his last. His last wish to go to Khandwa was fulfilled as his body was taken to his birth place for cremation after embalmment.

Kishore Kumar inspired more playback singers than any other. Many of today`s leading Indian playback singers including Kumar Sanu, Abhijeet and Babul Supriyo started their careers as so called `copy singers` of Kishore Kumar. They all copied (they still do, to some extent, although they have developed their own style over the years) Kishore`s unique voice. When Kishore was in the prime of his career, the only way a male singer could gain a foothold in Bollywood was to copy him and sing in low-budget movies where the producer could not afford to sign up Kishore himself.

Kishore`s personal life:
Kishore Kumar married four times, to Ruma Guha Thakurta (1950 - 1958), Madhubala (1960 - 1969), Yogeeta Bali (1975 - 1978) and Leena Chandavarkar (1980 - 1987). His son Amit Kumar also became a singer in much the same genre, if not quite with his father`s success. Kishore`s second son Sumit Kumar is also a playback artist.

Filmography:
Some of the important Hindi films in which Kishore Kumar acted are:

1954 Naukri
1956 Bhagambhag
1955 Baap Re Baap
1957 Aasha, Bandi
1958 Jalsaaz, Chalti Ka Naam Gadi, Dilli Ka Thug
1960 Bewakoof, GirlFriend, Mehlo Ke Khawab
1961 Karodpati, Jhumroo
1962 Bombay Ka Chor, Manmauji, Naughty Boy, Rangoli, Half Ticket
1963 Ek Raaz
1964 Bagi Shehzada, Dal Mein Kala, Bavre Nain, Mr X In Bombay, Ganga Ke Lahren,
Door gagan ki chaon mein
1966 Pyar Kiye Ja, Akalmand
1967 Duniya Nachegi, Payal Ki Jhankar, Hai Mere Dil
1968 Padosan, Do Dooni Char
1971 Hungama
1973 Pyar Diwana

Some of the films in which Kishore Kumar sang his most melodious songs:

1961 Jhumroo
1962 Half Ticket
1964 Mr X In Bombay, Door gagan ki chaon mein
1966 Pyar Kiye Ja
1968 Padosan
1969 Aradhana
1970 Safar, Prem Pujari, Kati Patang, Johnny mera naam
1971 Sharmilee, Paraya Dhan, Gambler, Buddha Mil Gaya, Amar Prem
1972 Mere Jeevan Saathi, Jawani Diwani, Rampur Ka Lakshman
1973 Yaadon Ki Baarat, Manchali, Jugnu, Heera Panna, Daag, Black Mail, Anamika, Aa gale lag jaa, Abhimaan, Namak Haraam
1974 Prem Nagar, Aap Ki Kasam
1975 Mili, Khel Khel Mein, Julie, Amanush
1976 Kabhi Kabhie, Chalte Chalte, Mehbooba
1977 Hum Kisise kam nahin, Kinara, Dream girl, Doosra Aadmi, Anurodh
1978 Shalimar, Khatta Meetha, Kasme Vaade, Ghar, Don, Muqaddar ka Sikandar
1979 Mr. Natwarlal, Baaton Baaton Mein, The Great Gambler, Gol Maal
1980 Man Pasand, Thodisi Bewafaii, Karz, Dostana
1981 Rocky, Lawaaris, Yaarana, Silsisla
1982 Sanam Teri Kasam, Bemisaal, Satte Pe Satta, Shakti,
1983 Souten, Agar tum na hote, Bade Dil Wala
1984 Tohfa, Sharaabi, Mashaal
1985 Saagar, Saaheb, Alag Alag
1986 Jaanbaaz
1987 Mr.India, Kaash, Garzana

Awards:
The songs for which Kishore kumar won his Filmfare Awards:

1969 Roop tera mastana - Aradhana
1975 Dil aisa kisi ne mera toda - Amanush
1978 Khaike paan banarasu wala - Don
1980 Hazar Raahen - Thodisi Bewafaii
1982 Pag ghungroo baandh meera - Namak Halaal
1983 Agar tum na hote - Agar tum na hote
1984 Manzilen apni jagah - Sharaabi
1985 Saagar Kinaare - Saagar