Madhya Pradesh minister promises Kishore Kumar museum in hometown

Kishore Kumar was born in Khandwa on August 4, 1929 before he shifted to Mumbai and went on to become one of Indian cinema’s legends

Kishore Kumar. File

The 90th birth anniversary of singer Kishore Kumar was celebrated on Sunday in Khandwa in Madhya Pradesh, with State culture minister Vijaylaxmi Sadho announcing that a museum dedicated to the film legend would be set up here.

Kumar, whose mellifluous voice regaled listeners for several decades, was born in Khandwa on August 4, 1929 before he shifted to Mumbai and went on to become one of tinsel town’s enduring legends.

“We have decided to make a museum in Khandwa dedicated to Kishore Kumar and a provision in the Madhya Pradesh budget has been made for this,” Minister Sadho told reporters here.

Kumar’s fans assembled here and offered ‘doodh jalebi’, a favourite with the singer, to his portrait, while others demanded that he be bestowed with the Bharat Ratna.

Among those present at the function was Bollywood singer Vinod Rathod, said Sunil Jain, spokesperson of Kishore Sanskritik Prerna Manch.

“The legendary singer often said ‘

doodh jalebi khayenge, Khandwa me bas jayenge ’ (will have jalebi dipped in milk and settle down in Khandwa). A few of his popular songs were also sung,” Mr. Jain said.

On Saturday, several people under the banner of All India Kishore Kumar Fans Club had taken out a colourful procession from Kumar’s childhood residence in Bombay Baazar to his memorial located on Indore Road.

“He should be given the Bharat Ratna,” said fan Deva Kishore while another from Ahmedabad, Parag Mehta, said he had been singing cover versions of the legend’s songs for 21 years and seconded the demand.

A medley of artistes performed Kumar’s songs at functions in Sitaram Chowk and Budhwara area of the city.