In the past 100 years of Hindi film music, the late Kishore Kumar’s voice can easily be termed one of the most versatile.
With an ability to not only change his tonal quality, depending on the character, but also express a range of emotions, from the depth of his soul – Kishore da earned his place in popular music, as one of the most celebrated vocalists ever.
The late legend, lent his instruments to mainstream Hindi music starting from the late 40’s and interestingly, had no formal training, making producers dismissive of his talent initially.
Influenced by the likes of K.L. Saigal and a number of American country music singers, Kishore Kumar incorporated yodelling in his singing, which later became his trademark.
While there are some incredibly and unforgettable tunes that were recorded in his golden voice and natural talent, there are few that clearly stand above the rest in our memory.
Listening down 20 of such musical gems from his celebrated discography, here are the late legend’s top 10 best songs
1) KUCH TOH LOG KAHENGE
2) EK LADKI BHEEGI BHAAGI SI
3) AANEWALA PAL
4) KOI HOTA JISKO APNA
5) O SAATHI RE
6) CHINGARI KOI BHADKE
7) MERE MEHBOOB QAYAMAT HOGI
8) PAL PAL DIL KE PAAS
9) HUMEIN TUMSE PYAAR KITNA
10) DIL KYAA KAREIN
11) YEH SHAAM MASTAANI
12) RIM JHIM GIRE SAWAN
13) GAATA RAHE MERA DIL
14) ZINDAGI KE SAFAR MEIN
15) KORA KAAGAZ THA YEH MANN MERA
16) O MERE DIL KE CHAIN
17) CHHU KAR MERE MANN KO
18) TERE BINA ZINDAGI SE KOI
19) TERE MERE MILAN KI
20) ROOP TERA MASTAANA
The list of Kishore Kumar’s classics is endless and there are plenty that we could not put in this top 20. With a once-in-a-lifetime talent like Kishore Da’s, 20 just isn’t enough.
Honourable mentions to songs like…
CHALA JAATA HOON
KEHDOONN TUMHE
EK AJNABEE HASEENA SE
TUM AA GAYE HO NOOR AA GAYA HAI