No account of him could be more authentic or no voice more related than this one. Reminiscing incidents from his life and performing some of the glorified vocals, Amit Kumar replicated an era and the persona who was majorly responsible for it. Celebrating Kishore Kumar’s 80th birth anniversary, his son Amit Kumar was in the city at the programme Zindagi Ek Safar organised by Harmony and Raviraj Group.

Juggling between Mere sapno ki raani, Ek ladki bheegi bhaagi si, Zindagi Ek Safar and some untold stories on the ‘total artist’ as he called Kishore Kumar, Amit Kumar attributed his talent and knowledge to the legendary entertainer. “He is the biggest gift not only to me but also to the nation. I have very fond memories of him as a father from the streets of Kolkata to the performances in Mumbai where he brought me after my mothercomplained that i was singing ‘filmy songs’ at Durga Pujas in Kolkata. Behind that shroud there was a simple man who would at times sit quietly for hours and other times be vigorous like a child. Nonetheless he would always say I am the most unpredictable man,” adds Kumar.

Currently doing stage shows across the globe, Kumar calls it a reflexive life. Having been a playback singer, actor, director, and music director, he describes the era of his father as the one which can never be surpassed recalling other connoisseurs including Raj Kapoor, Guru Dutt and Pancham da. Recollecting one of his best moments, Kumar says, “I had just statrted singing and during one of the initial performances S D Burman was seated in the audience. I began singing Hum to hain rahi dil ke, a lesser known song from Caravan and as soon as he heard the initial Aalap, he flung a garland straight around my neck. That is my biggest gift in life.”

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