Born Hemanta Kumar Mukherjee (1920 - 1989), Kumar adopted the name Hemant Kumar after he settled in the Indian film capital of Bombay (also known as Mumbai) in the 1950s. Born in Varanasi (Benares), his fame as a singer of Bengali and Hindi songs began early in his life with his first appearance on All India Radio in the late 1930s. He also became one of the most active proponents of Rabindrasangeet, the songs of the most famous Bengali poet of the 20th century, Rabindranath Tagore.
In 1940 he launched his career in Indian movies when he appeared as a singer in the Bengali film Sanyasi and in 1944 he appeared in his first Hindi language film Iraada. During this period he also established himself as a competent composer of Benagli songs.
During the 1950s his full baritone voice established him as the undisputed star of middle-class Bengali romanticism, where love was found, lost and then regained; where joy was unbounded and despair fathomless. His style of delivery became the standard for all romantic heroes in Indian film since his time. His first Hindi success as a composer was Nagin, which introduced electronics into Indian film.
Still later, Kumar branched out into film production with movies of a decidedly occidental cast, like Bees Saal Baad based on The Hound of the Baskervilles and Kohraa derived from Daphne du Maurier's Rebecca.
Even after his death in 1989, Hemant Kumar remains a leading role model that other male Indian singers imitate.
Selected filmography
Anand Math Ferry
Anjaan Girl Friend
Anupama Hamara Watan
Arab Ka Saudagar Hill Station
Asha Inspector
Bahu Jagriti
Bandhan Khamoshi
Bandi Kohra
Bandish Lagan
Bees Saal Baad Maa Beta
Bees Saal Pehle Majhli Didi
Bhagwat Mahima Nagin
Bin Badal Barsaat Nayakeenicha Sajja
Biwi Aur Makan Payal
Chand Police
Do Dil Rahgeer
Do Dooni Char Sahara
Do Ladke Dono Kadke Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam
Do Mastane Samrat
Durgesh Nandini Sannata
Ek Hi Raasta Shart
Ek Jhalak Taj
Faraar Us Raat Ke Baad
Fashion Yahudi Ki Ladki
External link
