IMO some of the best songs of Pancham have been sung by Kishore Kumar. Pancham gave the much needed boost to Kishore’s signing career when he needed it the most. Kishore sang 558 songs for Pancham (227 solo, 245 duets).
Here is an excerpt from Filmfare dated June 1984, where R.D Burman recalls his first meeting with Kishore Kumar.
“Again one day, sitting on a wall of the same studio, I saw a man wearing a muffler and cap and holding a black stick. He was imitating everyone who passed, just like a monkey. When we went into the studio the man jumped off the wall and came into the recording room. Jo jo gana gatey the unka satyanash karte hue woh khud gana gane lage. When I asked him why he was doing it he said: ‘I am an orphan. Nobody looks after me. Please give me a chance’.” Amused at the recollection, R.D. gave a hearty laugh.
The man on the wall was Kishore Kumar who, according to R.D., is the best male singer we have. “He is flexible. He can sing a classical song better than any of the others. I know because I’ve worked with all of them. He can sing a funny song or a sad song, nobody can beat him in versatility. He has never learnt any music but his ability to grasp is the secret of his success. He observes the music director and mimics.
It is an impossible task to select the top ten or 20 songs of Kishore composed by Pancham. So, i am just sharing my favorites which are listed in random order:
1. Pyar Deewana Hota Hai from Kati Patang.
2. Chingari Koi Bhadke from Amar Prem is based on Bhairavi raaga. Here is Pancham on the composition and Kishore (HT Jan ’08)
Kishore – you had to teach him but once, he was onto it like a shot. See the feel Kishore brought to Chingaree koii bhadke. But that’s straight Bhairavi even for Kishore.”
“Straight Bhairavi or not, see how Kishore makes it sound as if he’s singing Chingaree for you, and you alone, in Amar Prem.”
3. Kehna Hai Kehna Hai from Padosan.
4. Rim Jhim Gire Saawan from Manzil
5. Humein Tumse Pyaar Kitna from Kudrat.
Kishore Kumar sung light romantic version of the song Humen Tumse Pyar Kitna, while Begum Parveen Sultana sung the ‘classical’ version of it.
6. Raat Kali Ek Khwab Main Aayi from Buddha Mil Gaya
7. Meri Bheegi Bheegi Si from Anamika
8. Kitne Sapne Kitne Arman from Mera Jeevan Saathi
9. Kuch to Log Kahenge from Amar Prem
10. Kisi Baat Par Main Kisi from Bemisaal
11. O Mere Dil Ke Chain from Mere Jeevan Saathi
12. Kishore last sung for Pancham for Saagar. Saagar Kinare got a Filmfare award for Kishore Kumar. (I made an exception and included this duet)