Every time Kishore Kumar and Asha Bhonsle were teamed together for duets, they created magic. Kishore’s irresistible magical vocals and Asha’s silky and passionate vocals together lent a special X-factor to their duets. This duo has lent their voices to dozens of actors who didn’t make it big in the industry. Frankly, listeners never bothered to know who the actors were, on the screen on whom these duets were picturized; it’s because people enjoyed the emotions and feelings conveyed by these blessed magical singers. Some of the songs are so lively that you get goose bumps even today just listening to those duets. I am of the opinion that these two great singers added life and character to the songs in their own inimitable way.
They both sang Romantic, Slow, Fast, Devotional, Comedy, Sad, happy, Rock, Classical Blues, Qawalli, Rap, Hip-Hop, Semi Classical, Folk songs. Together they could express any shade of emotion naturally. Kishore initially became famous for yodeling, and he sang any mood effortlessly. So did Asha. She too sang all genres. It’s difficult to select the ‘best’ songs sung by this duo.
I consider 1950s till the seventies was a part of the Golden era where melody reigned supreme. Even if a film did not fare well at box office, the songs conquered hearts and attained popularity. Those were the days when radio was the most important source of keeping in touch with film songs. Film buffs either looked forward to the radio programs or waited for the weekly ‘Chaya Geet/Chitrahaar’ programs on Doordarshan channel to catch a glimpse of the songs. There were no mobiles, no Youtube for watching a song again and again. But, songs which topped the charts did so, on pure merits. Frankly speaking, great singers of that era were not at all dependent on the charisma of the actors who lip-synced the songs. Many lesser known actors got some of the best songs to lip-sync on the screen.
Here are some of the magical songs by Kishor-Asha Jodi:
Song: Ye raten, yeh mausam, nadi ka kinara
Film: Dilli ka thug (1958)
Lyricist: Shailendra, Music Director: Ravi
Song:Chod do anachal, zamana kya kahega
Film: Paying Guest (1957)
Lyricist: Majrooh Sultanpuri, Music Director: S.D.Burman
Song: Arre yar mere tum bhi ho gazab
Film: Teen Deviyan (1965)
Lyricist: Majrooh Sultanpuri, Music Director: S. D. Burman
Song: Dooriyan Nazadikiyan Ban Gayi
Film: Duniya (1968)
Lyricist: Hasrat Jaipuri, Music Director: Shankar- Jaikishan
Song: Jane kaisa hai mera diwana
Film: Aansoo Ban Gaye Phool (1969)
Lyricist: Bhopali, Govind Moonis, Music Director: Laxmikant-Pyarelal
