Who Is Hemant Kumar? Age, Biography, and Wiki
Hemant Kumar, the iconic Indian singer and music director, was born on June 16, 1920, and passed away in 1989. As of 2025, he would have been 105 years old. Throughout his extraordinary career, he made a significant impact on the Indian music industry, leaving behind a rich legacy of haunting melodies and unforgettable compositions. His work spanned various genres, but he is perhaps best known for his contributions to Hindi and Bengali music.
| Occupation | Musicians |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | June 16, 1920 |
| Age | 69 Years |
| Birth Place | Benares, Benares State, British India |
| Horoscope | Gemini |
| Country | India |
| Date of death | 26 September, 1989 |
| Died Place | N/A |
Popularity
Hemant Kumar's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
Although specific height and weight details about Hemant Kumar were not documented extensively, he was renowned for his charismatic presence, which complemented his powerful voice. Since the focus is primarily on his music career rather than physicality, measurements are less emphasized in his biography.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
Hemant Kumar was married to his beloved wife, who played a pivotal role in his life. They shared a deep bond that nurtured his artistic journey. As such, discussions regarding his personal life are often intertwined with his professional achievements. Kumar's dedication to his craft often meant that his personal relationships were kept largely private, with little public information regarding specific dating details or romantic affiliations.
Hemanta enrolled in the Bengal Technical Institute at Jadavpur (now Jadavpur University) to pursue an engineering diploma. However, he left academics due to health issues and to pursue a career in music, despite his father's disapproval.
He briefly experimented with literature and published a short story in the Bengali magazine Desh, but by the late 1930s, he had decided to dedicate himself entirely to music.
Net Worth and Salary
While specific figures regarding Hemant Kumar's net worth at the time of his passing are not easily available, he undoubtedly earned a substantial income through his extensive career in music. He was not just a singer; his role as a music director for numerous films contributed significantly to his earnings. Moreover, his timeless songs have continued to generate royalties, ensuring that his legacy remains financially fruitful even after his passing.
Career, Business, and Investments
Hemant Kumar’s illustrious career began in the 1940s, and he quickly became a household name in Indian cinema due to his unique voice and innovative music direction. He worked on numerous films, producing memorable songs that still resonate today. His contributions to both the Hindi film industry and the Bengali music scene mark him as one of the most influential figures in Indian music history. Besides his primary career in music, Kumar was also involved in various philanthropic efforts, supporting the arts and education.
In the mid-1940s, Hemanta became actively involved with the Indian People's Theatre Association (IPTA), where he formed a significant collaboration with fellow member and composer Salil Chowdhury. The devastating Bengal famine of 1943 and the inaction of both British authorities and wealthy Indians had been instrumental in IPTA's formation.
His 1947 recording of "Ganyer Badhu" ("The rural bride"), composed and written by Salil Chowdhury, marked a turning point in his career. This unconventional six-minute composition, recorded on both sides of a 78 rpm disc, departed from traditional Bengali song structure and romantic themes.
Instead, it portrayed the tragic transformation of an idyllic rural life devastated by famine and poverty. The song's unprecedented success established Hemanta as a leading voice in eastern India, elevating him above his male contemporaries.
This successful partnership with Salil Chowdhury continued through numerous popular collaborations in subsequent years.
Social Network
Although Hemant Kumar was a prominent figure, he was not known for being very active on social media, especially since platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram did not exist during his lifetime. However, his music continues to be celebrated across various social media channels, with fans and musicians sharing his songs and remembering his contributions to Indian music.
In the late 1950s, Hemanta ventured into movie production under his own banner: Hemanta-Bela Productions. The first movie under this banner was a Bengali film directed by Mrinal Sen, titled Neel Akasher Neechey (1959). The story was based on the travails of a Chinese street hawker in Calcutta in the backdrop of India's freedom struggle.
The movie went on to win the President's Gold Medal — the highest honour for a movie from the Government of India. In the next decade, Hemanta's production company was renamed Geetanjali productions and it produced several Hindi movies such as Bees Saal Baad, Kohraa, Biwi Aur Makaan, Faraar, Rahgir and Khamoshi all of which had music by Hemanta.
Only Bees Saal Baad and Khamoshi were major commercial successes.
Education
Hemant Kumar displayed an early interest in music, receiving his education in the arts. He pursued formal training in music, which greatly informed his style and technique. This educational foundation allowed him to excel in a competitive industry, ultimately establishing himself as a legendary artist.
His paternal family originated from Jaynagar Majilpur and had migrated to Kolkata in the early 1900s. Growing up in Kolkata, he received his early education at Nasiruddin School before transferring to Mitra Institution School in Bhowanipore. During his school years, he formed lasting friendships with Subhash Mukhopadhyay, who would later become a celebrated poet, and writer Santosh Kumar Ghosh.
