105 years of Hemant Kumar – Remembering a national icon of timeless music
Born on this day in Varanasi in 1920, Hemant Kumar's musical journey began in the 1940's. He made his debut as a singer in the Bengali film 'Rajkumarer Nirbbasanin' under composer SD Burman. He marked his entry into Hindi films with 'Meenakshi' (1942), followed by 'Irada' (1944), under composer Amar Nath.
Trained in classical music and drawn to the great depth of Bengali literature, Kumar became a musician with a kind of range and versatility seldom witnessed.
Possessing a classical tinged folk music merged with the experimental nature of Rabindra Sangeet, his music had a timbre and lyrical depth which was inspiring even to his colleagues such as the legendary composer SD Burman and later RD Burman.
As a playback singer, his baritone conveyed emotion with restraint and dignity, becoming synonymous with iconic tracks like 'Na tum hamen jaano' from 'Baat Ek Raat Ki' (1962), 'Bekaraar karke humein' from 'Bees Saal Baad' (1962), and 'Ya dil ki suno' from 'Anupama' (1966).
However, his role was not just limited to that of a singer, but also extended to being a composer, and music producer. Operating through Hemanta-Bela Productions, he introduced genre-defining films and composed scores crafted in rich detail and an engrossing atmosphere.
As a music director and composer, Hemant Kumar brought a quiet strength to every score he touched, as displayed by his classic compositions for films like 'Nagin' (1954), and 'Khamoshi' (1969), using finely tuned arrangements that placed melody and ambience at the centre, as opposed to many of his peers who used grandeur and elegance instead.
He often worked with famous lyricists like Kaifi Azmi and Gulzar, shaping songs that were poetic yet accessible.
While his contributions to Hindi music are unquestionable, his influence in Bengali music cannot be overstated. As an active proponent of Rabindra Sangeet, his compositions played a crucial role in popularising Tagore's many unique works across not just West Bengal, but all of India, even becoming popular in states such as Bihar, Odisha, Gujarat, Punjab, Goa, Assam, Tripura, Sikkim, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka, crossing all linguistic boundaries.
He also collaborated with cultural figures like Satyajit Ray, Santosh Kumar Ghosh, Subhash Mukhopadhyay, and Salil Chowdhury, bridging the gap between cinema and literature through music.
Even decades later, his influence can be traced in the works of contemporary musicians who favour mood-driven storytelling.
A true national icon in every sense of the word, Hemant Kumar's legacy crossed every boundary, and to date continues to resonate with people all across India, due to the timeless nature of his music, which remains a defining chapter in the history of Indian music.
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