What's new

Is Kishore Kumar the GOAT?

TM Riddle

TM Riddle

Test Debutant
Joined
May 3, 2012
Runs
15,012
In Hindi and Urdu language category of course before south indians pounce upon me.
Discuss.
 
Too young to say that but Meri bheegi bheegi se is an ATG song
 
Last edited:
Of course. Along with Mohammad Rafi. Although Kishore was very talented in many fields.
 
GOAT is always a controversial topic with guys like him, Mohammad Rafi and a couple of others all staking a claim.

I would say he is undisputedly an ATG and the most Versatile of them all with outrageous control on his voice.
 
Yeah he is. I've made a thread on this. Rafi had a better voice but Kishore was so much more versatile and had way more great songs. His delivery was unreal
 
Man, I've noticed that so many young indians and Pakistanis have such bad taste in music. So much of the current Desi music that they listen to is just awful senseless trash.
 
aliasad1998 said:
Yeah he is. I've made a thread on this. Rafi had a better voice but Kishore was so much more versatile and had way more great songs. His delivery was unreal
Click to expand...

Voice is subjective but Rafi certainly had better classical base. But Kishore was wildly versatile. There is very little that he has not done as a singer and he was not even trained classically. Not just as a singer but overall as a film personality he has done everything. Certainly a GOAT
 
aliasad1998 said:
Yeah he is. I've made a thread on this. Rafi had a better voice but Kishore was so much more versatile and had way more great songs. His delivery was unreal
Click to expand...

Rafi certainly had an intoxicating voice. I have seen tears rolling down the eyes of people when they immerse themselves too much in his music.
Rafi+whiskey is a deadly combo.
 
aliasad1998 said:
Man, I've noticed that so many young indians and Pakistanis have such bad taste in music. So much of the current Desi music that they listen to is just awful senseless trash.
Click to expand...

Music is subjective. Just because we like a certain someone does not mean that others have bad taste in music. Infact every generation thinks the previous ones music is crap. I could also say that the saturated pictures you take are awful senseless trash.
 
Last edited:
DeadBall said:
Music is subjective. Just because we like a certain someone does not mean that others have bad taste in music. Infact every generation thinks the previous ones music is crap. I could also say that the saturated pictures you take are awful senseless trash.
Click to expand...

Music is subjective but that doesn't mean you start comparing Bieber with McCartney.
 
TM Riddle said:
Music is subjective but that doesn't mean you start comparing Bieber with McCartney.
Click to expand...

Why not? Who made you the custodian of music? Its just the uppity my taste in music is better than yours thinking.
 
Really difficult to tell, but indeed one of the 3. Actually, play back singer, I feel more than their quality, is dependent on the contemporary life style, type of films, stars etc...

It's blasphemous for me to compare those 3 but I feel Rafi, KK & Mukesh were masters of their type. Mukesh had a wonderful voice for sad songs or such nostalgic songs, KK had the macho man voice, while Rafi had true romance in his voice. Having said that, Rafi's voice probably suited more for 50s, 60s era while KK was unreal with Kaka & Bachhan's voice. And, I am a big fan of Raj Kapoor (& Kaka), hence Mukesh is always one of my top favorites.

Apart from these 3, there was another one - our own Bengali Babu Hemanto Mukherjee (Hemant Kumar) - wonderful voice. For Bengali romantic songs (often sung with a soft emotional touch), one can't imagine a better voice than Hemanto (as Uttam Kumar's voice). And, whatever few Hindi numbers Hemanto performed (many of then as Dev Anand's voice), were master class.

All 4 were ATG for sure and that perfection won't ever return. I can add Manna De as well in that list, while Talat Mehmood had a beautiful sweet soft voice (but probably not manly enough) - but probably never dare to rank them.

For me, it was Lata Mungeskar alone and none even remotely close, my choice is probably Rafi, Mukesh, KK among male voice for Hindi, in that order. Utaam - Hemanto pair, and Shandhya Mukherjee are out of this scope.
 
DeadBall said:
Why not? Who made you the custodian of music? Its just the uppity my taste in music is better than yours thinking.
Click to expand...

Music is a form of art and art can be good or bad. It doesn't take a genius to figure it out. Trash musicians such as Bieber and Reshamiya would never be as good as Paul McCartney or Kishore Kumar no matter how one try to twist it . Not exactly a rocket science.
 
MMHS said:
Really difficult to tell, but indeed one of the 3. Actually, play back singer, I feel more than their quality, is dependent on the contemporary life style, type of films, stars etc...

It's blasphemous for me to compare those 3 but I feel Rafi, KK & Mukesh were masters of their type. Mukesh had a wonderful voice for sad songs or such nostalgic songs, KK had the macho man voice, while Rafi had true romance in his voice. Having said that, Rafi's voice probably suited more for 50s, 60s era while KK was unreal with Kaka & Bachhan's voice. And, I am a big fan of Raj Kapoor (& Kaka), hence Mukesh is always one of my top favorites.

Apart from these 3, there was another one - our own Bengali Babu Hemanto Mukherjee (Hemant Kumar) - wonderful voice. For Bengali romantic songs (often sung with a soft emotional touch), one can't imagine a better voice than Hemanto (as Uttam Kumar's voice). And, whatever few Hindi numbers Hemanto performed (many of then as Dev Anand's voice), were master class.

All 4 were ATG for sure and that perfection won't ever return. I can add Manna De as well in that list, while Talat Mehmood had a beautiful sweet soft voice (but probably not manly enough) - but probably never dare to rank them.

For me, it was Lata Mungeskar alone and none even remotely close, my choice is probably Rafi, Mukesh, KK among male voice for Hindi, in that order. Utaam - Hemanto pair, and Shandhya Mukherjee are out of this scope.
Click to expand...
Good post but I'm surprised you didn't mention Mahendra Kapoor. Guy is so underrated. He didn't have versatility of Kishore or softness of Rafi but was extremely talented.
Chalo ek bar phir se is one of my favorite songs.
 
TM Riddle said:
Good post but I'm surprised you didn't mention Mahendra Kapoor. Guy is so underrated. He didn't have versatility of Kishore or softness of Rafi but was extremely talented.
Chalo ek bar phir se is one of my favorite songs.
Click to expand...

For Kishore, he had one luck which should be mentioned - he faced less competition at his prime. Rafi passed away in 1980, at about 55, Mukesh in 1975, even younger - these are actually relative young age for a playback singer; besides after performing hajj in early 70s, Rafi reduced his involvement in music career significantly - for that Kishore had almost a free run for about a decade and half and his glory days are actually from early 70s to mid 80s.

Mahendra Kapoor indeed had a classical voice.
 
TM Riddle said:
Music is a form of art and art can be good or bad. It doesn't take a genius to figure it out. Trash musicians such as Bieber and Reshamiya would never be as good as Paul McCartney or Kishore Kumar no matter how one try to twist it . Not exactly a rocket science.
Click to expand...

What these people don't get is that all art is not created equal. This stuff about everyone's opinion on music, movies etc matters is pure gargbage. If someone came up to me and told me that Fast and Furious is better than The Godfather and another person said that he isn't wrong because that's just his opinion then that person is just as big an idiot. I'm just glad that I have the refined taste that I do tbh. People can keep admiring garbage. That's their loss.
 
TM Riddle said:
Music is a form of art and art can be good or bad. It doesn't take a genius to figure it out. Trash musicians such as Bieber and Reshamiya would never be as good as Paul McCartney or Kishore Kumar no matter how one try to twist it . Not exactly a rocket science.
Click to expand...

aliasad1998 said:
What these people don't get is that all art is not created equal. This stuff about everyone's opinion on music, movies etc matters is pure gargbage. If someone came up to me and told me that Fast and Furious is better than The Godfather and another person said that he isn't wrong because that's just his opinion then that person is just as big an idiot. I'm just glad that I have the refined taste that I do tbh. People can keep admiring garbage. That's their loss.
Click to expand...

Oh wow. The "Look at me, I have listened to Kishore or watched the Godfather thats why I am better than you" argument.

Taste evolves with time. Just because you have known better does not mean that you are better than everyone else, even though everyone likes to think they have better taste but that only evolves with time.

Those who like Bieber or Fast and the Furious just means they probably haven't a chance OR experience to savor The Shawshank Redemption or a a Mozart symphony. Hell, to me before The New Kids on The Block were the best thing since sliced bread but I grew to appreciate other things once my palate was refined.

Just because you have heard, watched or experienced better things does not make you better and it reeks of hypocrisy.
 
DeadBall said:
Oh wow. The "Look at me, I have listened to Kishore or watched the Godfather thats why I am better than you" argument.

Taste evolves with time. Just because you have known better does not mean that you are better than everyone else, even though everyone likes to think they have better taste but that only evolves with time.

Those who like Bieber or Fast and the Furious just means they probably haven't a chance OR experience to savor The Shawshank Redemption or a a Mozart symphony. Hell, to me before The New Kids on The Block were the best thing since sliced bread but I grew to appreciate other things once my palate was refined.

Just because you have heard, watched or experienced better things does not make you better and it reeks of hypocrisy.
Click to expand...
So you do agree that they are trash and its just a matter of time before people see the light and come to appreciate the quality music? Dunno why we have been arguing then since I have been claiming the exqct same as well , that Music indeed has good and bad in it and certain artists are simply better than the others.

Most people in subcontinent (esp the youth) have terrible taste in the music , reaffirmed by the growing popularity of Badshah and Honey Singh type third class musicians. Why do you think Salman Khan movies gross so much or are we to believe that they are cinematically superior just because one billion idiots seem to love them? Music is subjective but it's only when you are comparing good artists.
 
TM Riddle said:
So you do agree that they are trash and its just a matter of time before people see the light and come to appreciate the quality music? Dunno why we have been arguing then since I have been claiming the exqct same as well , that Music indeed has good and bad in it and certain artists are simply better than the others.

Most people in subcontinent (esp the youth) have terrible taste in the music , reaffirmed by the growing popularity of Badshah and Honey Singh type third class musicians. Why do you think Salman Khan movies gross so much or are we to believe that they are cinematically superior just because one billion idiots seem to love them? Music is subjective but it's only when you are comparing good artists.
Click to expand...

What defines a "good artist" though?

I'm assuming the average Kishore Kumar fan doesn't have a PhD in Music.
 
Kishore was not of this world. Besides having sung many memorable songs, he was a genius in other ways.

Once a studio executive came to visit him one summer dressed in a suit. Kishore greeted him by getting down on his hands and knees and barking like a dog. The executive was confused, and tried to talk to Kishore who kept barking in reply.

Later, when asked about this incident, Kishore said "If he can wear a suit in the heat of summer, I can bark instead of speaking like a human being".
 
YES!

So much soothing voice, rarely you will find a singer, who can change your mood just from the voice. He can be energetic, soothing, inspiring, makes you think about life, teaches you how to love.

Also great lyrics have helped him immensely.
 
Rafi is like a Dessert. Royal, sweet sound.

Kishore Kumar is like an appetizer, main course, breakfast, dinner, supper and everything combined.
 
Music is very subjective so you'll never really have an undisputed GOAT. But personally speaking, nobody even comes close to Nusrat.
 
Fineline said:
This!If Rafi isnt the goat,nobody is.
Click to expand...

He was unique.

Even in high notes his voice does not crack , and the smoothness in transiting from high to low is so easy for him.

Always it felt that actor on screen was singing. Also , each and every word were crystal clear. The emotions which he brought in every song was unreal. That too with no help from technology in those days. In versatility no one comes closes to him , singing all kinds of genre.
 
What do you guys think about the legend Kumar Sanu himself? King of the 90s with countless hit songs.
 
Madplayer said:
What do you guys think about the legend Kumar Sanu himself? King of the 90s with countless hit songs.
Click to expand...

Sanu, Nigam etc don't evoke the same amount of nostalgia like Rafi, Kishore etc to be GOAT. Definitely ATG though.
 
Does it get any better than this? One of my go to shower songs. The current state of Bollywood music is sickening

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/MDXFi3avqo0" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>
 
Last edited:
No he as no goat:hasan! Kishore Kumar was a great playback singer perhaps only second to Rafi sahib.
 
Nusrat and Rafi were slightly ahead imo, but they can't give us something like 'Chalti ka naam Gaadi' :)
 
DeadBall said:
Sanu, Nigam etc don't evoke the same amount of nostalgia like Rafi, Kishore etc to be GOAT. Definitely ATG though.
Click to expand...

Kumar Sanu evokes nostalgia , but don’t think he js GOAT..
Even the movie dum laga ke haisha was based on the nostalgia.
 
JaDed said:
Kumar Sanu evokes nostalgia , but don’t think he js GOAT..
Even the movie dum laga ke haisha was based on the nostalgia.
Click to expand...

Overrated nasal singers with barely any great songs don’t deserve to be in the conversation
 
aliasad1998 said:
Overrated nasal singers with barely any great songs don’t deserve to be in the conversation
Click to expand...

Yes but its a generational thing, the ones who transcend generations are GOAT, was jus making a point on nostalgia..

Even Mukesh has lot of nostalgia and is defn better than any Indian singer in last 20 years but not GOAT..
The other one who needs to be in this conversation is Lata Mangeshkar..
 
Kishore sahib was also a very successful actor before becoming a playback singer. This is a very difficult transition to make for which he deserves great praise.
 
Kishore Da is the most versatile singer India have ever produced. Followed by Rafi & Uddit. Its tie b/w Mukesh & KK.
Can someone plz tell me why Da added with his name?
 
JaDed said:
Yes but its a generational thing, the ones who transcend generations are GOAT, was jus making a point on nostalgia..

Even Mukesh has lot of nostalgia and is defn better than any Indian singer in last 20 years but not GOAT..
The other one who needs to be in this conversation is Lata Mangeshkar..
Click to expand...

There are many better than Kumar sanu who aren’t GOATS. Udit Narayan, Mukesh, Asha, Sonu etc
 
Junaid_ahmed said:
Kishore Da is the most versatile singer India have ever produced. Followed by Rafi & Uddit. Its tie b/w Mukesh & KK.
Can someone plz tell me why Da added with his name?
Click to expand...
Da is short for Dada in Bengali, meaning elder brother..
Kishore was Bengali..Abhas kumar Ganguly his actual name..
 
Last edited:
aliasad1998 said:
I like this list. Udit is just brilliant
Click to expand...

Three things made uddit better than his contemporaries
His thick but clear voice
Rise and fall of the voice pitch (before him only Mukesh was able to do this with perfection, infact Mukesh was brilliant in taking the voice from ground to sky then back to ground) &
versatility (in a span of just 15 minutes he can sing the songs for three different feelings i-e before the start of love, during love & break-up and all with with sheer brilliance).

His only real contemporary was kumar sanu, but to me Kumar was more one sided singer, he cant play on the both sides of wicket. One more thing that there was a guy naming babul suprayo who had almost identical voice with kumar, could have been the potential challenger to uddit but again babul was one sised too.

Sonu compete Uddit for a very short period but after Jaan, dewaana, yaad (sonu solo albums) sonu lost somewhere.
 
If there ever was a GOAT playback singer it was Kishore Kumar. His versatility made him the king. Most people do not know, but Kishore Kumar never had any formal music training. It was all natural talent.

King Kishore!!!!
 
Lol Sonu became A Lister during 2000 and sung most of the songs compare to udit then , Be it refugee , tum bin , kabhi khushi kabhi ghum , dulhan hum lee jayenge , fiza , mujhe kuch kehna hai , tera jadoo chal gaya , chal mere bahi , jodi no 1 , kunwara , saathiya , the legend of bhagat singh , kal ho na ho , main hoon na , veer zara , janeman , faana , humko dewana kar gaye , partner , hey baby , acha nachle , om shanti om , jodha akbar , 3 idoits , Lucky no time for love, Mujhse shaadi karogi , mujhse dosti karogi , Maine pyar kyun kiya , rabne bana di jodi , Pareeineta , Garam masala , salam namaste , hum tum , Kaal , no entry , Chup chup ke , Don , kabhi alvida na kehna , Krish , Salam e isqh , Jodha Akbar and what not ,....udit narayan was out during 2003-04 i think so , as his voice was not suitable for westrenzing singing style the way Sonu had sung Soniyo O Soniyo from Raaz 2
 
Kishore kumar is among the top 10 playback singers of Bollywood ever. But he is behind Rafi , Mukesh and Manadey etc.

Kishore was a limited singer , in fact Rafi , Hemant , Mana Dey all sang for him when he was on screen.

Till 1960 s he was no where , only got few songs because of his friendship with Dev Anand

After that He walked on the grudges of Rajesh Khanna for few years. But as soon as Rajesh Khanna faded , kishore stocks coming down again.

Kishore himself said that RD made his tunes easier to sing.

It was never the case for rafi or even Mana Dey. Kishore lack of classical singing was exposed again and again , when someone else had to be summoned for one of two songs in movies where kishore sang.

So , in conclusion he was a good singer , but we need to understand that there were others who were better than him.
 
cricketjoshila said:
If there ever was a GOAT playback singer it was Kishore Kumar. His versatility made him the king. Most people do not know, but Kishore Kumar never had any formal music training. It was all natural talent.

King Kishore!!!!
Click to expand...

Everyone knows he had no formal training , he was jack of all trades master of none.
 
Justcrazy said:
Kishore kumar is among the top 10 playback singers of Bollywood ever. But he is behind Rafi , Mukesh and Manadey etc.

Kishore was a limited singer , in fact Rafi , Hemant , Mana Dey all sang for him when he was on screen.

Till 1960 s he was no where , only got few songs because of his friendship with Dev Anand

After that He walked on the grudges of Rajesh Khanna for few years. But as soon as Rajesh Khanna faded , kishore stocks coming down again.

Kishore himself said that RD made his tunes easier to sing.

It was never the case for rafi or even Mana Dey. Kishore lack of classical singing was exposed again and again , when someone else had to be summoned for one of two songs in movies where kishore sang.

So , in conclusion he was a good singer , but we need to understand that there were others who were better than him.
Click to expand...

The downfall of Kishore wasn't his talent but due to his personal life and lack of sincerity towards work as far as I remember.

He is probably the most versatile singer ever in bollywood.
 
Itachi said:
The downfall of Kishore wasn't his talent but due to his personal life and lack of sincerity towards work as far as I remember.

He is probably the most versatile singer ever in bollywood.
Click to expand...

Kishore is the most versatile singer !

Someone who himself says that RD used to make tunes easier for him so that he could sing. There are movies where even though Kishore recorded the songs or sang majority of songs in a movie , someone else was brought for him.

Listen to that Number Humme tumse payar kitna , Kishore sung this song , also Praveen Sultan sang female version which won filmfare. The female version was semi-classical.

From the death of Rafi , Kishore never had any competition , and he was highest paid singer till he died. There was NO downfall. He was always a limited singer. His rise after 1970 was due to Rajesh Khanna.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

rickroll
Hindi Imposition in South India - Factor for Breakup of India?
2 3
Replies
161
Views
5K
gazza619
gazza619
Bhaag Viru Bhaag
"Hindi is not our national language; It's an official language": Ravichandran Ashwin
Replies
51
Views
1K
Birdman
B
A
Celebrating Subcontinent's poetry
Replies
15
Views
438
KB
K
Cpt. Rishwat
Would India have become a rising tiger economy if BJP-style rule had prevailed?
Replies
35
Views
1K
JaDed
JaDed
Major
[VIDEO] Former cricketer Yograj Singh mocks Hindi-speaking people, sparks outrage
Replies
74
Views
2K
Champ_Pal
C
Back
Top