Hemant Kumar
With his deep but passionate voice and melodic sensibility, Hemant Kumar (born Hemanta Kumar Mukherjee) helped steer the evolution of post-World War II Indian music. Well-known for his interpretations of Rabindranath Tagore's songs, Kumar was equally influential as a composer. In addition to scoring more than 150 Bengali films and 50 Hindi films, Kumar wrote an estimated 2,000 songs.
Appearing on Indian radio for the first time in 1933, Kumar recorded his debut disc, "Janite Jadi Go Tumi" b/w "Balo Go Balo More," six years later. Despite his obvious talent, Kumar gave little thought to a career in music. Instead, he enrolled in a four-year course at the Engineering College of Jaduvpar Polytechnic and dreamed of becoming a writer. In 1937, Dash magazine published one of Kumar's stories.
The impact of Kumar's voice could not be denied, however. Although he was turned down by the Senola and Megaphone Record labels, he was signed by Columbia and introduced to their staff trainer, Sailesh Dattagupta. Although he had previously begun studying classical Hindustani music with Ustad Faiyaz Khan, his lessons ended prematurely with Khan's untimely death.
Kumar's recordings for Columbia attracted critical acclaim. Following the release of his second single, he purchased his first harmonium. After his next single, he left school to devote his attention to music.
Commercial success was much slower. For several years, Kumar sought a way to break into film playback. His chance came when he was chosen to be the playback singer in the hit film Nimai Sonyas. In 1944, he composed the entire score for Heman Gupta's film, Abhijatri. He resumed his work for Gupta in 1951 with the film Anandamath. He subsequently relocated to Bombay and took a staff composer position with S. Mukherjee's Filmistan Studios. Although he attempted to break into film direction with his own Geetanjali productions, his best work was done for other directors.
Beginning in 1948, Kumar worked with lyricist/composer Salil Chowdhury to develop a new kind of music, Kavya-geeti, translated as "ballad but not necessarily romantic." Kumar reached his apex in 1955 when he received a Filmfare award as Best Music Director for the film Nagin.
© Craig Harris /TiVo
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Aaj Rona Pada to Samjhe (LoFi Mix)
Kishore Kumar, Hemant Kumar, Sahir Ludhianvi
World - Released by Saregama on 8 Aug 2023
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Bandish (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
World - Released by Saregama on 1 Dec 1955
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Mi Dolkara Daryacha Raja - Lofi - Single
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World - Released by Saregama on 14 Jan 2023
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Hai Apna Dil to Aawara (From "Solva Saal") (Analogue Mix)
Hemant Kumar, S. D. Burman, Majrooh Sultanpuri
World - Released by Saregama on 14 Jul 2023
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Tera Husn Rahe Mera Ishq Rahe (Trap Mix)
Mohammed Rafi, Hemant Kumar, Kaifi Azmi
World - Released by Saregama on 7 Oct 2023
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Faraar (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
World - Released by Saregama on 31 Dec 1965
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Beqarar Karke (Bass Trap)
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World - Released by Saregama on 30 Jul 2023
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Insaaf Ki Dagar Pe (Super Jhankar Beats)
Hemant Kumar, Naushad, Shakeel Badayuni
World - Released by Saregama on 30 Nov 2023
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Hamari Kahani (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
World - Released by Saregama on 31 Dec 1948
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Aduva Gombe (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
Film Soundtracks - Released by PRK Audio on 1 Nov 2023
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Mi Dolkara Daryacha Raja (Dhol Mix) - Single
World - Released by Saregama on 4 May 2023
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Bin Badal Barsaat (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
World - Released by Saregama on 31 Dec 1963
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Anjaan (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
Hemant Kumar, Rajendra Krishan
World - Released by Saregama on 1 Jan 1956
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Kitna Badal Gaya Insaan (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
World - Released by Saregama on 31 Dec 1957
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Bhajo Man Narayan (From "Prabhu Ki Maya") - Single
World - Released by Saregama on 1 Jan 1955
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Yeh Mard Bade Dil Sard Bade (Phonk Mix)
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World - Released by Saregama on 20 Sep 2023
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Hai Apna Dil to Aawara (Remix)
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World - Released by Saregama on 28 Sep 2023
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Pahle Paisa Phir Bhagwan (Super Jhankar Beats)
Mohammed Rafi, Hemant Kumar, Rajendra Krishan
World - Released by Saregama on 2 Dec 2023
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Bekarar People (Akbar Sami Club Mix)
World - Released by Saregama on 8 Sep 2023
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo