Because we are different.

Stamp of a genius

19 October 2012

A three-CD collection of rare Kishore Kumar songs and a stamp to honour the legendary singer… By Shoma A Chatterji

Kishore Kumar’s music was immortalized last week by the Amit Kumar Fan Club in Kolkata, which celebrated its eighth year of existence and observed the 25th death anniversary of the singer by releasing a cancelled First Day Cover with postage stamps of the unforgettable musical miracle.
The function was held on 13 October at the Jamini Roy Art Gallery (ICCR). AK Sanyal, deputy director, business development and marketing, GPO (Kolkata) handed over the special cover to Amit Kumar. The event was co-organized by Melody Chime. The cover features umpteen booklet covers of films in which the master had acted, including one of his Bengali films, Lukochuri. The cover has been designed by veteran philatelic artwork designer Dipok Dey. “We always back good projects, ideas, initiatives. This is one of them. I sincerely believe this Unusual Musical venture will be lapped up by not just fans of Kishore Kumar, but by all music lovers,” said Sandip Mallick, sales executive, Universal Music (East).
Amit Kumar Fan Club took this opportunity to launch Rare Kishore, a three-audio CD pack filled with 44 rare songs of the legend. The first CD offers songs like the title track of Film Hi Film, Yaar Ki Gali (Ulta Seedha), Aalor Ashay (Madhumoy; Bengali Film), Kal Ka Kya Bharosa (Bandh Honth), Lamha Lamha (Doosri Dulhan), Sun Mere Yaar (Sakka), Adhi Adhi Raat (Dial 100), amongst others. The second CD features songs like Ab To Mere Huzoor (Pyaar Mein Sauda Nahin), Kene Kene Jaeen (Sabhi Nachaawat Ram Gossain; Bhojpuri film), Tere Jaisa Koi (Pyaar Ki Manzil), Ari Ho Paro (Gumsoom), Udate Udate Pyasi Panchhi (Zindegi Jeene Ke Liye), etc. The third CD is mesmerising with numbers like Pyaar Ko Pyaar Ki Roshni (Beqasoor), Suryamukhi Hai Mukhda (Tu Meri Main Tera), Premi Sabhi (Daasi) and so on.  The three-CD pack cover carries a rare photograph of Kishore Kumar shared by Ruma Guha Thakurta from her personal collection and Vishwas Nerurkar, who is a Kishore Kumar scholar and researcher, has also contributed to the album in terms of rare visuals of the singer.
“Kishore Kumar has left behind soul-stirring musical gems for his fans across the world. His songs sell the most till date in India. This special cover is the least we could do in terms of honouring the contribution of the massive to the musical treasure he has left behind.  We also extend our gratitude to Universal Music officials for agreeing to launch Rare Kishore at our behest. We are grateful to Melody Chime for coming forward whole heartedly and supporting our initiative. Lastly, we thank Amit Kumar”, said Sudipta Chanda, secretary of Amit Kumar Fan Club.
“I am touched by the gesture of India Post to commemorate my father’s 25th death anniversary by releasing a special cover, besides a cancellation. The design of the cover is fabulous. I am happy and feel honored that my fan club members have taken this wonderful initiative. I and my family members are honoured and really appreciate the efforts taken by everybody to remember him”, said Amit Kumar who flew down for the programme.
Kishore Kumar spared no opportunity to mention the father-son-duo SD and RD Burman in gratitude for having given him some of tbe most outstanding compositions of his career in Hindi film music as a playback singer.  SD Burman chose him to sing Roop tera mastana, Pyar mera diwana’for Rajesh Khanna who became a superstar overnight following the release of Shakti Samanta’s Aradhana.  Kishore Kumar at once was identified as the voice of Rajesh Khanna around the same time that he also lent his voice to the face of Dev Anand. Then, of course, it had to be none other than Amitabh Bachchan.  
It therefore, marked a fitting finale to the programme when Debasish Kumar, member, Mayor-in-Council, parks, gardens, sports and markets, Kolkata Municipal Corporation, announced a special project of setting up a statue of legendary music composer RD Burman in Kolkata. The statue will be unveiled in 2013 at the behest of Amit Kumar Fan Club.  “If music be the food of love, play on.” William Shakespeare wrote this several centuries ago. But it sustains in an ambience where the music of Kishore Kumar sustains to give joy to his innumerable fans.