Shivraj Singh Chouhan pays tribute to Kishore Kumar on death anniversary
Synopsis
Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan paid homage to legendary singer-actor Kishore Kumar on his 39th death anniversary, honouring the Khandwa-born icon as a gem of Madhya Pradesh whose music brought joy to countless lives.
Key Takeaways
Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan posted a tribute to Kishore Kumar on his death anniversary, October 13, 2026 .
Kishore Kumar passed away on October 13, 1987 — making this his 39th death anniversary .
Chouhan described him as 'Khandwa ke Lal, Madhya Pradesh ke Ratna' — the pride of Khandwa and gem of Madhya Pradesh.
Kishore Kumar was born in Khandwa, Madhya Pradesh , in 1929 and built a career spanning four decades.
He won eight Filmfare Awards for Best Male Playback Singer, a record at the time of his passing.
On the death anniversary of one of India's most beloved voices, Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan paused to honour the memory of legendary singer and actor Kishore Kumar — the son of Khandwa, the jewel of Madhya Pradesh — on Tuesday, October 13, 2026.
Posting in Hindi on X, Chouhan wrote: 'जिंदगी के हर पल को जिंदादिली के साथ जीने वाले' — 'one who lived every moment of life with exuberance' — offering his humble tribute to the icon who filled countless lives with colour, energy, and joy through his singing and acting.Khandwa's most luminous son remembered
Kishore Kumar was born Abhas Kumar Ganguly on August 4, 1929, in Khandwa, a small town in present-day Madhya Pradesh. He went on to become one of the most versatile and enduring figures in Indian cinema and music — a playback singer whose range spanned comedy, melancholy, romance, and pathos with equal ease. He passed away on October 13, 1987, making this year the 39th death anniversary of the artist.
Chouhan — himself a former four-term Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh — described Kishore Kumar as 'खंडवा के लाल, मध्यप्रदेश के रत्न', meaning 'the pride of Khandwa, the gem of Madhya Pradesh.' The tribute carries a quiet regional pride: the connection between the state's political identity and its most celebrated cultural export is one Chouhan has consistently invoked over his years in public life.
A legacy built on boundless range
Kishore Kumar's career spanned roughly four decades, during which he sang thousands of songs for Hindi films and acted in dozens of comic and dramatic roles. He won eight Filmfare Awards for Best Male Playback Singer — a record at the time — and lent his voice to nearly every major male star of the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s. His spontaneity, improvisational genius, and sheer joy in performance set him apart in an era of disciplined classical training.
The town of Khandwa observes his death anniversary each year, and tributes pour in annually from artists, politicians, and fans across the country — a reminder that the resonance of his work has outlasted generations.
Point of View
Now in a national role, invoking Khandwa's most famous son is also a signal of continued emotional ties to his home state. Such commemorations, while ceremonial, reflect how politicians use cultural memory to sustain regional constituencies even from the Centre. The tribute adds to a broader pattern of BJP leaders anchoring national messaging in local pride.
NationPress
13 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
When did Kishore Kumar die?
Kishore Kumar passed away on October 13, 1987 , in Mumbai. His 39th death anniversary falls on October 13, 2026.
Where was Kishore Kumar born?
Kishore Kumar was born in Khandwa , a town in present-day Madhya Pradesh , on August 4, 1929 .
Why did Shivraj Singh Chouhan pay tribute to Kishore Kumar?
Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan posted a tribute on his 39th death anniversary , calling him the pride of Khandwa and a gem of Madhya Pradesh, reflecting his personal and regional connection to the icon.
How many Filmfare Awards did Kishore Kumar win?
Kishore Kumar won eight Filmfare Awards for Best Male Playback Singer — a record at the time of his death in 1987.
What is Kishore Kumar's connection to Madhya Pradesh?
Kishore Kumar was born and raised in Khandwa, Madhya Pradesh , and is celebrated as the state's most iconic cultural figure. His birthplace observes his death anniversary every year.
