Shabbir Kumar is an established Indian playback singer who dominated the Bollywood playback singing field during the 1980s. The stage show Ek Shaam Rafi Ke Naam, a tribute to Mohammed Rafi was the starting point of his career. After the death of Mohammed Rafi, a void came about in the music industry. With the presence of Anwar, Mohammed Aziz and Shabbir Kumar, the attempt to satiate the void, was to some extent victorious.
Shabbir KumarIt was music director. Usha Khanna who gave him an opportunity to sing in the film `Tajurba` (released in the year1981). Later Shabbir got his lifetime opportunity when he was spotted by director Manmohan Desai who was intensely looking for a Rafi`s substitute. Under the music direction of Laxmikant-Pyarelal, Shabbir recorded a few songs for the film Coolie, which was released in 1983. His first released song was for the movie `Main Intequam Loonga`, with Laxmikant-Pyarelal.
Some famous songs sung by him are- Jab Hum Jawan Honge from the film `Betaab` (released in the year1983), composed by RD Burman (duet with Lata Mangeshkar); Tumse Milkar Naa Jaane Kyon from the film `Pyaar Jhukata Naheen` (released in the year 1985), composed by Laxmikant-Pyarelal; Jeet Jayenge Hum from the film `Meri Jung` (released in the year 1985), composed by Laxmikant-Pyarelal; Naa Maange Sona Chandi (parody) from the film `Mr. India` (released in the year 1987), composed by Laxmikant-Pyarelal; Gori Hai Kalaiyan from the film `Aaj Ka Arjun` (released in the year 1990); Sochna Kya from the film `Ghayal` (released in the year 1990); Zeehal-e-Musqeen from the film `Ghulami`; Pyar kiya nahi jaata from the film `Woh Saat Din`; Saari duniya ka bojh from the film `Coolie`.
Raat Hai Kuch Khoyi Khoyi-a duet that he sang along with Lata Mangeshkar from the film `Prem Tapasya` (1983), was declared a superhit. Then, under the music direction of Anu Malik he sang for Rajeev Kapoor in `Ek Jaan Hain Hum` (1983). With the release of the film `Betaab`, Shabbir Kumar became hugely popular. He sang five songs for Sunny Deol. He has worked with famous music directors like, Laxmikant-Pyarelal, RD Burman, Kalyanji-Anandji, Rajesh Roshan, Usha Khanna, Bappi Lahiri, Anu Malik, Ravindra Jain, Raam-Laxman, Nadeem Shravan, Uttam Singh and also for Ismail Darbar and AR. Rahman. Shabbir is credited with singing in many languages like Hindi, Urdu, Marathi, Bengali, Bhojpuri, Punjabi, Rajasthani, Gujrati, Hariyanvi, Uriya, Malayalam and English.
Shabbir Kumar has lend his voice for illustrious actors like, Dilip Kumar, Amitabh Bachchan, Dharmendra, Jackie Shroff, Rishi Kapoor, Jeetendra Kapoor, Mithun Chakraborty, Raj Babbar, Govinda, Chunky Pandey, Sanjay Dutt, Kumar Gaurav, Kamal Hassan, Rajnikant, Anil Kapoor, Rajeev Kapoor and Sunil Shetty. His last hit songs were Gori Hai Kalaiyan from `Aaj Ka Arjun` (released in 1990) and Sochna Kya from `Ghayal` (released in 1990). Shabbir then started to take on stage shows. He sang for a few films in 2000 like- `Ghaath` (released in 2000), `Awara Paagal Deewana` (released in 2002), and `Aan: Men at Work` (released in 2004).
Awards and Honours of Shabbir Kumar
Shabbir has been awarded with 34 Gold Discs, 16 Platinum, 1 Kohinoor Disc and also many other awards. He has also received "The Best Playback Singer" in Dubai, U.A.E. he was the first Indian to get the `Mohammad Rafi Award.` Next he got the `Kalaa Ratan Award` from Honourable President of India Shri Giani Zail Singh as Best Playback Singer. He has also performed in many live shows in UAE, Europe, South Africa, United States of America, Jeddah (Saudi Arabia) and many other places.
