K. L. Saigal

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K. L. Saigal

Name	K. L. Saigal
Birth name
Birth date	11 April 1904
Birth place	Jammu, Jammu and Kashmir, British India
Death date	18 January 1947
Death place	Jalandhar, Punjab, British India
Alma mater
Occupation	Singer, Actor
Years active	1932–1947
Organization
Known for
Notable works
Spouse(s)
Website

Kundan Lal Saigal (11 April 1904 – 18 January 1947) was a pioneering Indian singer and actor who is considered one of the first superstars of the Hindi film industry. His unique voice and emotive singing style left a lasting impact on Indian music and cinema.

Early Life

K. L. Saigal was born in Jammu, in the princely state of Jammu and Kashmir, during the British Raj. His father, Amar Chand Saigal, was a tehsildar at the court of the Maharaja of Jammu and Kashmir, and his mother, Kesarbai Saigal, was a deeply religious woman who influenced his early interest in music.

Career

Saigal's career began in the early 1930s when he joined the New Theatres in Calcutta (now Kolkata). His first major success came with the film Devdas (1935), where his portrayal of the tragic hero and his soulful singing won him widespread acclaim.

Music

K. L. Saigal's contribution to Indian music is immense. He was known for his deep, resonant voice and his ability to convey emotion through his singing. Some of his most famous songs include Babul Mora Naihar Chhooto Jaye, Jab Dil Hi Toot Gaya, and So Ja Rajkumari. His singing style was characterized by its simplicity and depth, which influenced many later singers, including Lata Mangeshkar and Mohammed Rafi.

Films

Saigal acted in over 36 films in various languages, including Hindi, Bengali, and Tamil. His notable films include Devdas, Street Singer, President, and Tansen. His performances were marked by a naturalistic style that was ahead of its time.

Personal Life

K. L. Saigal was known to be a humble and private person. Despite his fame, he led a simple life and was deeply spiritual. He struggled with alcoholism, which eventually led to his untimely death at the age of 42.

Legacy

K. L. Saigal's influence on Indian music and cinema is profound. He is often credited with setting the standard for playback singing in Indian films. His songs continue to be popular, and his life and work are celebrated in various forms, including documentaries and retrospectives.

Also see

• New Theatres
• Devdas (1935 film)
• Lata Mangeshkar
• Mohammed Rafi
• Indian classical music