The First Superstar : K. L. Saigal

He was a Railway timekeeper and salesman of typewriter. It was K. L. Saigal who is considered as first superstar of the Hindi film industry. His name was Kundan Lal Saigal. He was born on 11th April, 1904 in a small city of Jammu state. With his religious mother Kundan used to take part in traditional singing of Bhajans and Shabad. Wandering with his father in Kashmir and Punjab`s interior parts he developed the wonderful understanding of folk music.


As Railway timekeeper was his first job and later he joined Ramington typewriter company as a salesman. During the salseman ship he used to visit the different part of the country. It helped Kundan to polish his singing talent. Selling the typewriter he reached Calcutta ( now it is known as Kolkatta ) in 1930. There he meet a music director R.C. Boral. Boral recognised his talent and hired him on contract basis. At that time singing talent was must for actor to get the role as it playback singing was not started yet.

Ek Bangala Bane Nyara (President -1937) Download  

Babul Mora Naihar (Street Singer -1938) Download

Saigal’s first three films Muhabbat ke ansoo, Subah ka sitara and Zinda lash went unnoticed. But his talent for both acting and singing was fully recognised after the success of Yahoodi ki ladki. After singing  four songs for the film Puran Bhagat  he became famous overnight in 1933. It was 1935 when DevDas released and now Kundan Lal Saigal became the star. The entire nation was feeling the magic of his voice. Everyone was humming his songs throughout the country. Finally in 1941 he shifted to Bambay (Now known as Mumbai).


So Ja Rajkumari (Tansen - 1943) Download

Jab Dil Hi Toot Gaya (Shahjehan 1946) Download

His singing talent was natural and without any kind of formal training.  It is said that after hearing him sing a short khayal in raga darbari, Faiyaz Khan told Saigal "My dear boy, there is nothing I can teach you now that will make you a greater singer". Including 1 Tamil and 7 Bangla he did 36 films. He will always be remember for his contribution of just 185 songs in which 142 was filmi and 43 was non-filmy. He sang 2 songs for his Tamil film too.


Hum Joliyon Ki Thi Toliyan (Non-Film) Download 

Jhulan Jhulao Ri (Non-Film) Download

His dependence on alcohal was also growing with his fanfollowing. It affects his talent and work. It is said that by this time he could not able to sing without intake of liquor. He passed away in the early age of just 42 on 18th January, 1947. He was the real Tansen of our age.
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