Kishore, Andrew
Kishore, Andrew (1955-2020) a famous Bangladeshi playback singer. He was born on 4 November 1955 in Rajshahi city. His real name is Andrew Kishore Kumar Barai. Father’s name is Khitish Chandra Barai and mother’s name is Minu Barai. His music-loving mother’s favorite artist was Kishore Kumar, a renowned musician of the subcontinent. She named her son Kishore after her favorite artist. With the encouragement and inspiration of his mother, Andrew Kishore entered the world of music. He studied Management at Rajshahi University. He was taught music from the age of 6 under the guidance of Abdul Aziz Bachchu. Later, in 1977, he sang the song ‘Soheli O Soheli’ composed by Debu Bhattacharya in the talent hunt program organized by Bangladesh Betar and won the hearts of thousands of fans. After that, Bangladesh Betar enlisted him for Rabindra sangeet, Nazrul geeti, folk music, modern songs and patriotic songs.
Andrew made his debut as a playback singer in films in 1977. His journey started with the song ‘Achin Purer Rajkumari Nei Je Tar Keo’ composed by famous composer Alam Khan in the movie ‘Mail Train’. This talented artist gained huge popularity by singing the song ‘Ek Chor Jai Chale’ from the movie ‘Pratighna’ released in 1979. From then on, his place as a playback singer in Bangladeshi films became permanent. After that, he did not have to look back in his long career as an artist. Also ‘Dak Diyachen Dayal Amare’, ‘Hayre Manush Rangin Fanus’, ‘Valobese Gelama Shudhu’, ‘Amar Sara Deho Kheyogo Mati’, ‘Amar Babar Mukhe Prothom Jedin Shunechilam Gan’, ‘Amar Bukker Moddekhane’, ‘ Sabaito valobasa Chai’. , ‘Jibaner Galpa Achhe Baki Alpa’ and ‘Vengechhe Pinjar Melechhe Dana’ are his popular songs.
He won the National Film Award eight times as the best male voice singer in films: Baro Valo Lok Chilo (1982), Surrender (1987), Khotipuran (1989), Padma Meghna Jamuna (1991), Kobul (1996), Aaj Gaye Halud (2000), Sajghar (2007), and Ki Jaadu Karila (2008.) He also won the Bachash Award five times for Best Male Playback Singer for Princess Tina Khan (1984), Swami-Stri (1987), Premer Taj Mahal (2001), Mone Prane Acho Tumi (2008), and Pinky Now Bilate (2010). In an illustrious musical career, Andrew Kishore received numerous awards and honors, including the Merrill-First Light Award for Best Male Soloist three times consecutively from 1988 to 2000.
Andrew Kishore was married to Lipika Andrew Eti. They have one daughter and one son. Artist Andrew Kishore passed away on 6 July 2020. [Shahnaz Nasrin Ila]
