Evergreen songs of Kishore Kumar that will never go out of style

Singer, actor, comedian… Kishore Kumar aka Kishore Da was a versatile genius. However it is his mellifluous voice that has charmed as well as haunted several generations of audiences. Although it has been almost 36 years since he left the world for the next great adventure, his songs still rule the charts as well as the hearts. Whether it’s a song about romancing a ladylove, singing about loss and heartbreak or about self-introspection, there’s a Kishore Kumar song for every emotion.

'Zindagi Ek Safar Hai Suhana' ('Andaz')

“Zindagi ek safar hai suhana… yahan kal kya ho kis ne jana’


A dashing Rajesh Khanna, brimming with high-voltage energy and zest for life as he hums the lines (all while driving a motorbike). A demure Hema Malini nodding along, with an indulgent smile.

Even half a century later, this breezy song remains fresh. An ode to living life in the moment, this song will resonate with anyone who wants to live and enjoy the here and now, without giving a toss about the future. This song, written by Hasrat Jaipuri and given a musical spin by Shankar-Jaikishan, was the highlight of the otherwise forgettable movie ‘Andaz’(1971).

However, what immortalized this number and made it synonymous with every romantic joyride ever, is undoubtedly the dulcet tones of Kishore’ Da. ‘Zindagi Ek Safar Hai Suhana’ remains one of the most popular yodel numbers sung by Kishore Kumar and with good reason. It’s hard not to feel the thrill as you hear Kumar’s voice perform somersaults!

‘Mere Sapno Ki Rani’ (‘Aradhana’)

Over the years, the song has become synonymous with wooing your crush. Composed by Sachin Dev Burman, this romantic ballad is picturised on a swashbuckling Rajesh Khanna, relentlessly pursuing a prim and proper Sharmila Tagore who is aboard a toy train. As Kumar’s magical voice beckons the lady of his dreams beseechingly, you can’t help but cheer along the hero from the sides, hoping he would win over his ladylove!

‘Wada Karo’ (‘Aa Gale Lag Jaa’)

Kishore Da is undoubtedly the numero uno when it comes to singing about winning over your crush. The scene of a debonair Shashi Kapoor serenading a coy Sharmila Tagore on the ice skating rink, while struggling to maintain balance, is still fresh in our minds, nearly 50 years later. Composed by the legendary R.D Burman and penned by noted lyricist Sahir Ludhianvi, this song is a fresh breath of air even today.

‘O Saathi Re’ (‘Muqaddar Ka Sikandar’)

Kishore Kumar’s discography explores the whole gamut of emotions. Although he was an ace at making people feel jubilant through his voice, he was also equally good at emoting angst and melancholia. ‘O Saathi Re’ remains one of the most sombre songs of Bollywood. Composed by the celebrated composer duo Kalyanji Anandji and penned by Anjaan and Prakash Mehra, this plaintive number is picturised on a heartbroken Sikander (Amitabh Bachchan) as he sings about unrequited love. This song is somewhat like an unhealed wound that still rankles after 45 years.

‘Tere Bina Zindagi Se Koi Shikwa To Nahin’ (‘Aandhi’)

If there could be such a thing as the perfect song about two exes who still have lingering feelings for each other, it would be this R.D Burman song . Penned by Gulzar, this is a bittersweet song depicting the conflicted feelings of an estranged couple (a charming Sanjeev Kumar and an ethereal Suchitra Sen) who are unable to reconcile their differences but are still not over each other. Composed by R.D Burman and penned by Gulzar, this song is also one of the iconic duets by Kumar and Lata Mangeshkar. The pain of not being able to let-go despite reaching a dead-end, the wistfulness of what could have been - this Kishore-Lata duet depicts every feeling with great precision.

‘Aanewala Pal Janewala Hai’ (‘Golmaal’)

To be honest, no one would expect a deeply profound song about the transient nature of life in a comedy movie. However this RD Burman classic provided some much needed moments of depth in this Hrishikesh Mukherjee laugh riot.