The 10 Best Kishore Kumar Songs

In show business with its fickle-minded patrons, Kishore Kumar's voice still resonates years after he passed into the ages.

His son Amit Kumar, an accomplished singer himself, likes his father's lesser known songs with comic elements the most.

"Like the song Aaj na jaane pagal manwa (from his 1956 film) Begunaah. The film was taken down after Paramount (the Hollywood studio) realised that the film was a shot-by-shot remake of its production Knock On Wood so most people don't know about it," reveals Amit Kumar.

"The song features his famous yodelling," he says.

We celebrate Kishore Kumar's 90th birth anniversary on August 4 with Amit Kumar's 10 favourite Kishore Kumar songs.

Chingaari koi bhadke

Film: Amar Prem
Music: Rahul Dev Burman
Lyrics: Anand Bakshi 

This is one of Panchamda's most beautiful compositions.

Husn bhi hai udaas

Film: Fareb
Music: Anil Biswas
Lyrics: Majrooh Sultanpuri 

This is one of my father's lesser known films; it released in 1952.

This song, a ghazal, is one of my all-time favourites.

Aa chal ke tujhe main le ke chaloon

Film: Door Gagan Ki Chhaon Mein
Music: Kishore Kumar
Lyrics: Kishore Kumar 

When this film was released in 1964, we didn't think it would go on to become the timeless classic it is now. My father also wrote the song.

It conveys a really sweet sentiment.

Dukhi man mere

Film: Funtoosh
Music: S D Burman
Lyrics: Sahir Ludhianvi 

This song from the hit Dev Anand starrer is a classic S D Burman composition.

Isse kehte hain bandish (This is what is called a composition).

Milte hi nazar

Film: New Delhi
Music: Shankar-Jaikishan
Lyrics: Hasrat Jaipuri and Shailendra

My father was cast opposite Vyjayanthimala in this 1956 film.

Although the song Nakhrewali became the most popular from this film's album, I like Milte hi nazar more.

Khilte hain gul yahan

Film: Sharmeelee
Music: S D Burman
Lyrics: Neeraj

Another wonderful composition from S D Burman.

Mere mehboob qayamat hogi

Film: Mr X In Bombay
Music: Laxmikant-Pyarelal
Lyrics: S A Ansari

It's incredible how talented Laxmikant-Pyarelal were.

Hum hain raahi pyar ke

Film: Nau Do Gyarah
Music: S D Burman
Lyrics: Majrooh Sultanpuri

This is a very difficult song. It's like trying to sing a tongue-twister.

Chup ho jaa

Film: Bandi
Music: Hemant Kumar
Lyrics: Rajinder Krishan

Another lesser known song sung by my father that I really like.

Aye zindagi hui kahan bhool

Film: Namumkin
Music: Rahul Dev Burman
Lyrics: Gulzar

A particularly contemplative number.

This story was first published on May 15, 2013.