On Kishore Kumar’s 96th Birth Anniversary: “I am a witness that Kishore Kumar was not miserly when it came to money..” – Padma Shri Ronu Majumdar

By Shantiswaroop Tripathi

Kishore Kumar, born on 4th August 1929 in Khandwa, Madhya Pradesh, passed away on 13th October 1987. This year marks the celebration of his 96th birth anniversary, and people can be seen humming his timeless songs everywhere. Ever since his demise, numerous stories and rumors have surrounded him. Some people branded Kishore Kumar as extremely miserly. However, renowned flautist Padma Shri Ronu Majumdar, who played the flute with Kishore Kumar for almost seven years, refutes this claim. On the occasion of Kishore Kumar’s 96th birth anniversary, Majumdar paid him tribute by sharing several little-known facts and fascinating anecdotes. He strongly asserted that Kishore Kumar was not miserly.

When did you first meet Kishore Kumar?

Majumdar: “Let me clarify first – my first meeting with Kishore Kumar did not happen during an R.D. Burman recording, as is often mentioned. The truth is, it was Kishore da himself who suggested that a flautist like me was needed by R.D. Burman. He even asked Dukhimohan Tagore (Dukhi Babu) to take me to him.
During my struggling days, I used to play with ghazal singer Jagjit Singh. Once, at a Rang Bhavan program, I was playing the flute with Jagjit Singh when Kishore da happened to attend. He was a carefree soul, always connected to God. After listening, he asked Jagjit Singh, ‘Where did you find this boy?’ Then he came to me directly. I touched his feet, and he said to me – ‘One day, you will have to go to Pancham (R.D. Burman).’
Later, my real introduction with Kishore da happened at Ravindra Jain’s studio during the recording of the song “Na Jaane Kab Kaise Mil Jaate Hain..” Kishore da was singing, and I was playing the flute. He immediately recognized me: ‘You’re the same boy who used to play with Jagjit, right?’ From that day on, our bond grew.
He asked Dukhi Babu to look after me, and eventually I was taken to Pancham da, who was looking for a good flautist at the time. My first recording with Pancham da was for the film “Love Story” in the song “Yaad Aa Rahi Hai..” sung by Amit Kumar. After that, I played the flute for many of Kishore da’s songs.”

Was Kishore Kumar really a miser?

Majumdar: “That’s absolutely wrong! I am a living witness to the fact that Kishore da was not miserly with money.

Once, during a recording at Film Center, everyone was waiting for him. When he arrived, he came straight to me before entering the singer’s booth and asked, ‘Will you play the flute with me on stage?’ I was young and blunt, so I told him directly, ‘Sorry dada, I don’t play in orchestra parties.’
Instead of being offended, he laughed heartily and said: ‘If a singer like me is singing for free, and you don’t play the flute, then how will Durga Puja happen?’
Yes, he sang the entire concert for free that day! Realizing my mistake, I also played the flute for him free of charge. After that, I often visited his home, Gauri Kunj, and the last performance I gave with him was at Shanmukhananda Hall. 
(Kishore Kumar evergreen hits download)
He was a generous man. Those who call him miserly are misinformed. I can testify that when it came to money, Kishore da was never stingy. He was a deeply spiritual soul.
I even witnessed once during a Bengali film recording: he became emotional and teary-eyed while singing. After finishing, the producer handed him a small envelope as his fee (since Bengali films paid little). Kishore da wiped his tears and returned the envelope, saying: ‘On one hand you make me sing such an emotional song, and then (Kishore Kumar best songs list) you even want to pay me?’So how can anyone call him a miser?”

What do you mean by spiritual?

Majumdar: “He neither smoked nor drank. He was a pure, sattvic man, very fond of good food. To him, music was more important than acting. He believed music was directly connected to God.
Every morning, he performed prayers and also worshiped his late mother, imagining her alive, and sought her blessings before recordings. He believed his mother’s blessings ensured no one could surpass him in singing – and it turned out to be true. Even senior singers acknowledged his greatness. Mohammed Rafi also respected him deeply. Kishore da used to invoke God before singing. Truly, there can never be another Kishore Kumar.”

Was he really able to sing in both male and female voices?

Majumdar: “Yes! Kishore da could do anything. His vocal cords were miraculous. His range extended both extremely low and high (up to the fifth note). No one could match him.”

Any interesting anecdotes?

Majumdar: “I have many! Let me share a few. During the recording of ‘Thodi Si Bewafai’ at Bombay Lab, Lata Mangeshkar had already arrived, and Khayyam sahab was waiting. Kishore da came in late, wearing a priest’s outfit, joking that he had been a priest in his past life. He wasn’t in the mood to sing, kept dancing around and cracking jokes. When Khayyam asked him to get serious, he quipped: ‘I don’t know how to sing, (Kishore Kumar duets with Lata Mangeshkar)
(Kishore Kumar rare live performances) I just came to listen to the recording!’ (Kishore Kumar biography and career)

He even started drumming on Khayyam’s bald head while we all sat shocked. Just when we thought the recording wouldn’t happen, he caught Lata ji’s glance and said: ‘Okay, okay, let’s record. See, she’s looking at me!’
Without any rehearsal, he launched into ‘Hazaar Raahen Mudke Dekhi…’ The way he sang the “madhyam” note was so sweet and divine, I felt I had never heard anything so beautiful in my life. His voice filled the whole studio like a saint’s blessing.

 Another incident – during the film ‘Saagar’. Kishore da had just recovered from a heart attack, while S.P. Balasubrahmanyam had already recorded Kamal Haasan’s part of the song. Kishore da came in his usual lungi-kurta style, fearless as ever. He sang Rishi Kapoor’s part sitting down, yet overshadowed SPB completely. That song became immortal.
 A Bengali album ‘Rakhal Chandro Ma Kaalo’ – I was playing flute, and after hearing it Kishore da praised me right from the singer’s booth in front of his son Amit Kumar.
 Another memory – the recording of ‘Bane Chahe Dushman Zamana Hamara’ (film Dostana), a duet with Rafi sahab. Lakshmikant–Pyarelal were the composers. Rafi sahab had already rehearsed his part. Kishore da arrived late, joking around, even teasing the composers by singing ‘Lakshmikantam Pyarelalam…’
When it came to recording, Rafi sahab sang smoothly as always. I thought today Rafi sahab’s classical training would give him an edge. But the moment Kishore da sang his first “Bane chahe…” it was enough to leave everyone stunned – he simply outshone.
Even great singers like Rafi respected Kishore da, but Kishore was simply unmatched. No wonder even Rahat Fateh Ali Khan considered him a guru. In my opinion, Kishore Kumar deserves the Bharat Ratna posthumously.

I bow to him with heartfelt tribute on his 96th birth anniversary.

1. How is Kishore Kumar being commemorated on his 96th birth anniversary?
   Across media, fan communities spotlight his iconic journey through music, film, and personal artistry—celebrating him as a multi-talented legend.

2. What’s the most talked-about tribute this year?
   An AI-generated rendition of “Saiyaara”—merging Kishore Kumar’s digitally recreated voice with visuals of Amitabh Bachchan and Moushumi Chatterjee from Manzil—has gone viral and is topping music charts.

3. Which prominent artist paid tribute in 2025?
   Kumar Sanu called Kishore Da his “guiding light,” writing on Instagram, “Every note I sing carries a part of your soul,” highlighting the deep influence on his musical journey.

4. What unique tribute happened in Kishore Kumar’s hometown?
   In Khandwa, administrative officials—collector, SP, and local MLA—performed his songs in a public event, blending culture and community celebration in a “sur sangram.”

5. Has any Bollywood legend spoken about him this year?
   Yes—Amitabh Bachchan shared a heartfelt throwback, calling Kishore Kumar a “true artist within,” and reflecting on their rare professional admiration and personal camaraderie.

6. Who was Kishore Kumar?
   Born Abhas Kumar Ganguly in 1929, he was a singer, actor, composer, director, and comedian—an all-around entertainer whose songs still resonate.

7. How many Filmfare Awards did he win?
   He received 8 Best Male Playback Singer awards out of 28 nominations—the highest tally in that category.

8. What was his big break in playback singing?
   The song "Roop Tera Mastana" from Aradhana (1969) catapulted him from obscurity to fame, establishing him as the voice of the era.

9. What made his style unique?
   He brought eccentric charm, emotional range, and youthful spontaneity to playback singing—and was famous for quirky styles like yodeling.

10. What themes did media emphasize on his 96th anniversary?
    Outlets celebrated Kishore’s fearless artistry, how he challenged norms, and how despite his passing in 1987, time just emphasizes his enduring voice.

Read also:

• Aavan Jaavan BTS: Ayan Mukerji Shares Glimpse of Hrithik-Kiara’s War 2 Song
• Varun Dhawan Wraps Border 2 Shoot: Celebrates with Cake-Cutting Moment
• Dil Madharasi New Poster Out: Sivakarthikeyan-Starrer Releases on Sept 5
• Dhanashree Verma Demanded ₹60 Cr Alimony from Chahal? Here’s the Truth

Tags: kishore kumar wife | kishore kumar story | kishore kumar songs | kishore kumar picture | kishore kumar image | kishore kumar hit songs | kishore kumar death date | kishore kumar Death annivarsary | kishore kumar birthday date | kishore kumar birthday photo | golden hits of kishore kumar