This grand gift is coming from none other than the illustrious playback singer of India, Mr. Amit Kumar. The magical voice behind many super hit songs including Bade achhe lagte hai from Balika Badhu, Yaad aa rahi hai from LoveStory and more recently Dil main baji gitar from Apna Sapna Money Money and the sizzling Dilrubaon ke jalwe from Dulha Mil Gaya. Not to forget the talented son of the greatest Indian artist Kishore Kumar!!!
This distinguished singer has recently launched his website www.amit-kumar.in. The website will be featuring Amit Kumar’s own compositions. Apart from this, he also has plans to release an album comprising of some unreleased compositions of his father - the one and only Kishore Kumar. The lyrics will be written by Javed Akhtar, Sudhakar Sharma, Leena Chandavarkar – Ganguly and Amit Kumar himself.
Amit Kumar is a well-known name in playback singing arena but very few know that he is an accomplished composer too. Composing has always been his passion. He used to spend his spare time in composing tunes. There are many notable non-film Hindi and Bengali albums to his credit. Oh! Sweetheart, Dum Dama Dum, Mad (Hindi), Parichay, Surer Raja, Tai Jodi Hoto, Cholun Beriye Ashi, Dui Kishore, Aamar Bhalobasha (Bengali) are a few to name.
Amit Kumar's first Hindi non-film music album was Oh!Sweetheart released in 1987. It was a good example of a fusion of melody in Indian music and rhythm in western music. Samne Hai Tu was one of the sweet songs from this album. But even before this, he had composed many melodious tracks in Bengali. To name a few - Kon Phoole Sajani Sajale, Ami Choli Eka (1983); Jiban Kato Modhur Ei Jiban, Chena Achena Kato Mukh Dekhi (1984).
Amar Bhalobasha was released in 1986. It has a bunch of memorable melodious songs like Brishti Naameni, O Radhe and Bhalo Lage Na. O Radhe has a bengali folk flavour whereas Bhalo Lage Na has a semi-classical flavour. Those who are familiar with Amit Kumar's fast-pased peppy Bollywood tracks only; must listen to Bhalo Lage Na to see another dimension of his talent. He has taken this beautiful composition of his own to new heights with his deep voice and expressive rendering. A stuff only masters can make!!!
Surer Raja was a tribute to R.D.Burman.The music is very touchy and straight from the heart. The album got great compliments from critics. Dui Kishore was another memorable tribute album from him. This time for his beloved father Kishore Kumar. He teamed up with younger brother Sumeet for this. The touchy tracks like Sei Raat Elo Phire really brings tears into one's eyes.
Tai Jodi Hoto was released in 1997. Here Asha Bhosle rendered his compositions for the first time. It was Ashaji's first Bengali Puja album after R.D.Burman's sad demise. Another offering, Cholun Beriye Ashi, came the next year. It is a pretty versatile album covering a wide genre of music from pop to semi-classical. A couple of songs worth mention here are Ja Re Koyaliya and Miloner Aei Rakhi.
In 2004, he came up with another nice album Parichay. Here his wife, Mrs.Reema Ganguly also accompanied him in some lovely duets like Nesha Nesha and Bhalobasha. He has also given music to a Bengali film Amaanat. Along with other melodious tracks, Jake Pabo Na, a solo by Lata Mangeshkar is a memorable one. Renowned singers like Lata Mangeshkar, Asha Bhosle, Kishore Kumar and Alka Yagnik have rendered his compositions.
Music of Amit Kumar’s Hindi non-film album Mad was quite impressive and appreciated by critics as well. Unfortunately it couldn’t strike the chords with the audience. It was rightly said by the great composer R.D.Burman that this music is at least 20 years ahead of its time. It was indeed different from what was playing around during late 80s and early 90s. The same album is going to be relaunched on February 23, 2012. Thanks to his Kolkata based fan club for the initiative.
Music by Amit Kumar is quite fresh, innovative and versatile. Sometimes even crazy yet charming. Being from a family with rich musical background, Amit was exposed to a wide variety of music at a very young age. This reflects in his compositions too. Pop, Indian semi-classical, Bengali folk, Jazz, Blues.. you name it and he has it. All kinds of emotions are expressed in his compositions with the same intensity. Let it be a hilarious comedy song or soft romantic song or a philosophical one; you can find the same passion. It is really commendable for someone who is not a regular composer.
The tunes sometimes show an R.D.Burman influence yet they have a distinct Amit Kumar style. R.D.Burman was like a mentor – a guru for Amit Kumar. No wonder that his music has a R.D. Burman touch. His most recent offering was a Hindi non-film album Ley Chalo which is a must-have for every music lover.
Here I have attempted to get the ace singer / composer’s views on his latest project and his music -
Q.: Launching new compositions through website is quite an innovative way. How did you get this idea?
Well, the idea of launching my compositions online was suggested by my brother Sumeet. The idea was to create a website and connect directly with my fans and loyalists with the help of technology.
Q.: What kind of compositions are you planning?
There will be all kinds of compositions with different shades of emotions. For example – sad, romantic, philosophical, comedy etc.
Q.: What kind of music you personally like?
I like western classical, jazz of the older golden period and Indian light classical like thumris and ghazals of Ghulam Ali and Begum Akhtar.
Q.: You have many hit Bengali albums to your credit. Those compositions are pretty versatile. Fresh, energizing and soothing. Any plans to bring the same tunes in Hindi?
I might use my compositions from my past Bengali albums in Hindi.
Q.: Will you be writing the lyrics too?
I have already started to write. In fact, the first song which is coming on the web is written by me.
Q.: Most of the world knows Amit Kumar basically as a talented singer. But what is Amit Kumar at heart – a singer or a composer?
I honestly think I’m a better composer than a singer.
Hummm, pretty difficult to choose for the music admirers. We have always got “The Best” from Amit Kumar whether it is as a singer or as a composer. I am pretty sure that this time also we will get some great memorable music from him.
Let’s wish him all the best for this venture….