Versatile, multi-faceted singer and stage artiste par excellence, Amit Kumar has a few things in common with us : he’s just 71 ( born 3rd, July,1952), energetic, youthful, hugely talented, full of beans and zany humour and is a die-hard ‘bhakt’ of the great Kishoreda. The most significant difference from ordinary music lovers and legion of fans is that he’s the elder son of the legendary singer from his first wife, Ruma Guha Thakurta and is a very renowned singer and artist in his own right with many chartbusters to his credit.
The onerous challenge of carrying on the legacy of legends ( Big B, Gavaskar, Md. Rafi to cite examples) falls heavily on their progeny but Amit has been a revelation and a great survivor in the cut-throat Bollywood music industry. As per tradition he was expected to carry on the mantle of his Father’s phenomenal body of work, but as Amit has shared in progs. his own Dad insisted that he evolve his own style rather than become his clone. To his good fortune the great RD became his mentor and launched his singing career with a bang with award winning hit numbers from ‘Balika Bodhu’ and ‘Love Story’.
After the death of RD in 1994, Amit distanced himself from film music industry citing lack of talent and opportunities and almost went into hibernation for a few years. Like a champion who’s innate talent never goes away, he made a huge comeback with stage shows, live performances and radio programmes across the globe, where he recreated in his inimitable style the innumerable true stories and anecdotes that surround the genius of Kishore & his amazing zany ways, apart from bringing alive the great singers’ music.
Though fans like us have followed Amit’s progression as a versatile singer and his range in embracing music of all types (including Western and of course Bengali) there is one song that’s rarely heard but some rate as one of his best efforts. He sang the heart-rending ‘Har Ghadi Dhal Rahi..’ in film ‘Saaransh’ ( 1984) picturised on an old school teacher (Anupam Kher) who’s suffers the pangs of bereavement on the death of his son.
Rock on Amit Bhai ! Here’s my musical tribute to you.
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