The Unsung Kishore (Published in The Telegraph, 5th August, 2005)

Come August 4th every year, Kishore Kumar aficionados will indulge in discussing myriad aspects of the maverick who dabbled in most crafts of Hindi Films, but above all was the supreme playback. And songs which are likely to be invoked will be amongst the gems he has bequeathed for billions.

For eliciting melancholy, strains of ‘Chingari koi bhadke’ or ‘Kiska rasta dekhe’…the euphoria of frolic in ‘Main hoon jhumroo’ or ‘Ina mina dika’…the superlatively philosophical in ‘Zindagi ka safar’ or ‘Kuchh to log kahenge’. But search the hinges of the treasure chest, the inner lining of the box covered with the velvet timbre of his voice and one will find a glistening diamond here, a bloodshot ruby there; songs, which courtesy the music companies or the still born films to which they belong, never drifted in to plebian hearts and ears through records, tapes or CDs. The unreleased or not properly released gems of Kishore Kumar, on their own, can give a lot of his more popular numbers a run for their money.

Though handpicking unreleased beauties should have been relatively easy, reality throws up a different picture. And the three songs which come up after a lot of indecision probably vindicate our faith in the Underdog, the Unsung. The first of these also comes with an element of very pleasant, almost divine, surprise. For those who have savoured RD Burman-Asha Bhonsle’s Bengali Puja numbers, the popular ‘Phule gondho nei (1973)’might ring more than a musical bell; it might uncork the sparkle of the nostalgia of their respective decades. This, only till one chances upon the Hindi version of this song ‘Phulon ki zubaan khubsurat ho gayi’ from an untitled production of debatable lineage. The Bengali original is an Asha solo, but here Kishore Kumar joins to take it to hitherto unchartered heights of ecstasy. The song is better arranged, the lyrics are improved upon (the Achilles Heel of Bengali Puja Numbers from RD’s stable), the emoting is optimum- but if not for anything else the song stands out for the incredible entry which Kishore effects with his resonent baritone proclaiming ‘Aakaash koraa hai,aur chand kanwaaraa hai’. Though he goes on to play ideal foil to Asha’s delicious rendition, it surely has to be one of the greatest openings in a Hindi Film Song…unexpected, stunning, regal.

The second in the collection could contend to be the ultimate song in the minimalist tradition of composing. Very little accompaniment, a hint at slight percussions, more like muted heart beats of the song. And truly, ‘Akela hoon main is jaahaan mein..’lives; Kishore Kumar’s virgin voice from the late fifties takes care of that. Inspired by the theme of ‘River of no return’ and written and composed by himself for the unreleased “Neela Aasmaan”(1960), the song had been released around a decade ago in a double cassette by Amit Kumar without finding many takers then. Kishore delivers this song so lucidly that the listener is left almost breathless. One can actually hear him pour out the solitude from the deepest recesses of his heart through the conduit of the refrain…O sticklers for the grandeur of simplicity, a must!

Finally, the third song - probably the brightest jewel of them all. Based on Raga Puriya Dhaneshree, Kishore composed this ghazal in D major scale, using chords in characteristic Kishoresque manner, defying the established norms of chord progression in the particular scale. And all this, in a matter of ten minutes while recording for the theme song of the film Pyar Ajnabi Hai (1980)- another shelved production starring himself and Leena. Much like isolated chapters of a rare manuscript, the song currently exists in two separate clippings of about 50 seconds each. But be warned - don’t hastily conclude anything about the impact of the song from its duration.50 seconds is a significant amount of time. Someone atop the WTC was planning an exotic weekend 50 seconds before the plane intervened. The baker at Pompeii was happily contemplating the shade of the loaf 50 seconds before Vesuvius burst open. In 50 seconds the hummingbird flaps its wings 3900 times and showcases the wonder of Nature. In 50 seconds, Sun’s rays cover 1/10th of their expedition to Earth in order to support photosynthesis or an even coat of tan.

For 50 seconds Junoon-e-ishq captures each and every spark of emotion created when the arrogance of persuasive love takes on the wall of stoicism.

As Potter mania grips the world, can’t help but listen in awe to this one true alumnus of Hogwarts School of Wizardry from Hindi Filmdom!!