Andrew Kishore Kumar Baroi (4 November 1955 – 6 July 2020), widely known as Andrew Kishore, was a Bangladeshi playback singer. Often referred to as the "Playback King" of Bangladesh for his extensive contributions to the classic era of Dhalywood cinema, he was the lead playback singer for more than 100 films and recorded over 15,000 songs.
Kishore made his playback debut in the film Mail Train (1977) with the song "Ochinpurer Rajkumari Nei Je Tar Keu". He achieved his career breakthrough shortly after with the critically acclaimed track "Ek Chor Jay Chole" from Protigga (1979). He is widely remembered for his iconic tracks, including "Jiboner Golpo, Achhe Baki Olpo", "Amar Buker Moddhe Khane", "Daak Diyachhen Doyal Amare", "Amar Shara Deho Kheyo Go Mati", and "Shobai To Bhalobasha Chae". Later in his career, he served as a judge on the reality television show Bangladeshi Idol.
One of the most decorated artists in the industry, Kishore won the Bangladesh National Film Award for Best Male Playback Singer a record eight times. He also received numerous other accolades throughout his career, including five Bachsas Awards and three Meril-Prothom Alo Awards.
Early life and career At the age of six, Andrew Kishore started acquiring formal singing training from Ustad Abdul Aziz Bachchu, the then chief music director of Rajshahi Betar. He was a student of Ustad Abdul Aziz Bachchu's 'Surbani Music School' in Rajshahi. In 1962, he was listed on Rajshahi Betar as a child artist. And then the famous lyricist Mohammad Rafiquzzaman used to watch the children's section as the producer of Rajshahi Betar.
Kishore has contributed to the national movement in his early life. During the 1969 Mass uprising in East Pakistan, he and other contemporary artists used to visit different places of Rajshahi city and sing protest songs. During the Bangladesh Liberation War, Kishore took refuge in India with his family. He used to inspire the freedom fighters by singing in the refugee camps. After the war ended, he was enlisted in the radio in Nazrul, Tagore, modern, folk and patriotic song categories.
In academic life, Andrew Kishore did a Bachelor of Commerce from Rajshahi Government City College & Master of Commerce in Management from University of Rajshahi in 1977.
After completing his studies, he concentrated on business by owning a grocery store in Rajshahi. However, in 1977, he moved to the house of his childhood friend living in Dhaka. In the same year, he participated in a talent hunt project initiated by Shahidul Islam, the then director of the Transcription Service of Bangladesh Betar. On the programme, he rendered the song "Soheli O Soheli", composed by Debu Bhattacherjee, and he was able to catch the attention of well known music directors.
Kishore debuted in playback singing in the film Mail Train (1977) where he sang "Ochinpurer Rajkumari Nei Je Tar Keu", composed by Alam Khan. Introduced by A.H.M. Rafique, Kishore made his breakthrough with the song "Ek Chor Jay Choley" from the film Protikkha, composed by Alam Khan.
In 1987, Kishore established an advertising agency called Probaho Media, for TV dramas, commercials and other productions. Later in memory of his late teacher, in 2011, he also established a cultural organisation "Ustad Abdul Aziz Bachchu Sriti Shongshod" in Rajshahi.
Andrew Kishore had dominated the Bangla film industry over the last 40 to 42 years. He also earned acclaim for Hindi and Urdu playbacks. He is the only Bangladeshi artist to sing to the tune of R. D. Burman in an Indo-Bangladeshi venture film, Shatru (1986).
TV and stage appearance Andrew Kishore sang on Bangladesh Television in the pre-1985 years of his career. But for more than a decade, he played behind the scenes in numerous Bengali film playbacks, but did not appear on the TV screen. After a long 15 years, this talented artist came back to the TV screen in 1999 with the song "Poddo Patar Pani". Since then, he has been a regular artist at Ityadi aired on Bangladesh Television.
He has also been a judge on a music reality show. He was a regular judge of Bangladeshi Idol, a reality television song contest aired on SA TV in 2013.
In addition, he has been seen singing or giving interviews at various times on various channels whose videos exist on YouTube. In the Wind of Change (Bangladeshi TV program) aired on Gaan Bangla music channel, Kishore sang his famous "Haire Manush Rongin Fanush" and "Beder Meye Josna Amay Kotha Diyeche" in a re-composition by music director Kaushik Hossain Taposh, which was once again widely acclaimed by the new generation of listeners.
He has also done numerous concerts at different times in the country and abroad. Andrew Kishore's last musical TV show was "Koto Rongo Jano Re Manush" aired on Channel i.
Personal life Andrew Kishore was born on November 4, 1955, in Rajshahi, Bangladesh. His parents are Khitish Chandra Baroi (1919-1993) and Minu Baroi (d. 2006). Andrew's father was from Kotalipara Upazila and worked in Rajshahi. He was involved in the medical profession in Rajshahi, where Andrew was born and raised. Andrew's mother, Minu Baroi, was a teacher at Bolanpur Mission Girl's High School, Rajshahi and was a music devoted person. Her favorite singer was Kishore Kumar. That is why Andrew was named Andrew Kishore Kumar Baroi. He started his first lesson in music with Ustad Abdul Aziz Bachchu of Rajshahi at the behest of his mother. Since a young age, Kishore had a passion for media, which led him to stardom eventually.
Kishore married Lipika Andrew (Eti) in 1988. They had two children. His sons name is Jay Andrew Saptok and his daughters name is Minim Andrew Songa. Songa got married in 2017. Kishore has two siblings. He was the youngest among them.
Death Kishore was diagnosed with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma on 9 September 2019. He also had kidney- and hormone-related diseases. His chemotherapy treatment started under Lim Soon Thye at the Singapore General Hospital. He returned to Bangladesh on 11 June 2020. He had been shifted to the intensive care unit of a clinic adjacent to his sister's house and run by his sister after his physical condition had significantly deteriorated. He died on 6 July. Andrew's brother-in-law, Patrick Bipul Biswas, and nephew, Ian Richie Paulson, confirmed the news to the press. His coffin was later brought from City Church to the Christian Cemetery of the Church of Bangladesh in Srirampur area of Rajshahi city on 15 July 2020 at 11am. He was buried at 11:30 am. He was buried in front of the cemetery. This cemetery contains the graves of his parents.
List of background music in the movie
List of some of his popular Bengali songs YearsMovieSongNote1977Mail trainOchinpurer Rajkumari Nei Je Tar KeuThe first backstage1980Emiler Goyenda BahiniDhum dharakka1982Boro Bhalo Lok ChiloHayre Manush Rangin PhanushWinner: National Film Award Best Male Singer1983NazmaChokhe Chokhe Raag Fuler Basor Ghor1984Obhijaan Princess Tina Khan Winner: Bachsas Awards Best Male Vocalist1985Maa O Chele 1986Shatru 1987SurrenderSobai To Bhalobasha Chay Goon Bhag Korey Korey Ghori Chole Tik TikWinner: National Film Award Best Male VocalistLalu MastanShunno Ei Haate Har RekheDayi Ke?Eto Sukh Soibo Ki Kore? Tumi Chiley Meghe Dhaka Chand O Premer MasterjiSohojatriPrithibir Joto Sukh Ami Tomar Chowate Khuje PeyechiShami Stri Winner: Bachsas Awards Best Male VocalistHarano Sur 1988Dui JibonAmi Ekdin Tomay Na Dekhle Tumi Aaj Kotha DiyechoJogajog Agomon Bir Purush 1989Beder Meye JosnaBeder Meye Josna Amay Kotha DiyecheByathar Daan KhotipuronAmi Poth Choli Eka Ei Duti Chotto HaateyWinner: National Film Award Best Male VocalistBhaijaanAmi Je Tor PriyotomaObujh HridoyTumi Amar Jibon, Ami Tomar JibonRanga Bhabi Shotto Mittha Bojromushthi 1990DolnaTumi Amar Koto Chena Bobar Shatru NeiMoroner PoreyPrithibi Toh Dudineri Basha1991Padma Meghna JamunaDukkho Bina Hoy Na SadhonaWinner: National Film Award Best Male VocalistPita Mata SontanTumi Aro Kache AshiyaOchenaAmi Jabo Na America Ami Driver BhaloShantonaJibon Jeno Shuru Holo Abar1992DangaShudhu Tumi Shudhu TumiShonkhonil Karagar Ondho BissashTakar Ei Duniyay1993Obujh Sontan 1994Ontore OntoreEkhane Dujone Nirojone Bhalobashiya Gelam FasiyaSujan SakhiSob Sokhire Paar KoriteGhrinaKedona Byatha Pele Tup Tup Brishti JhorcheCommanderBajlo Sanai Bajlo Biye Barite Ruposhi Banglar Ek Ruposhi MeyePrem Juddho Don 1995Babar Aadesh DenmohorAmi Tomar Preme PagolKanyadan Anjuman Moha Milon Shopner ThikanaO Sathire Jeyona Kokhono DureyAasha Bhalobasha1996Ei Ghar Ei SangsarAmader Choto Jodi CholeyMayer OdhikarTumi Ekta Chor Ami Ekta Chor
Pipra Khabe Boroloker DhonPriyojonO Sathire Tumi Chara Valo Lage Na E Jibone Jare CheyechiSneher ProtidanAmi Je Ek Ganer PakhiTomake ChaiTomake Chai Amar Bhitor Bahire Ontore OntoreJibon Songsar KobulEsho Ekbar Dujoney Abar Tumi Acho Hridoyer AanginayWinner: National Film Award Best Male VocalistHridoyer AynaTumi Chander Jochona Nou Keno Akhi Chhol Chhol Sotyer Mrityu NeiHridoyer Kache ThekoDurjoy Bashira 1997Ananda OsruTumi Mor Joiboner BhabonaPrem Piyashi Shesh ThikanaAsha Amar Bhalobasha Ami Pathore Ful PhotaboShopner NayokEkta Mon ChaiCoolieAkashete Lokkho Tara Chand Kintu Ekta Re1998VondoO Sathire Amar Jibon Shudhu Tumi Moner Moto Mon 1999Ke Amar Baba Ononto ValobashaEije Duniyate Koto Manush Aashe
Tomar Oi Mishti HashiLathi 2000Aaj Gaye HoludChokh Je Moner Kotha BoleWinner: National Film Award Best Male VocalistJhor Gunda Number One Biyer PhoolTomay Dekhle Mone Hoy Oi Chand Mukhe Jeno2001Sasurbari ZindabadSasurbari ZindabadSopner BasorKichu Kichu Manusher JiboneRongbaz Badshah Premer Taj MahalO Piya PiyareWinner: Bachsas Awards Best Male Vocalist2002Major Saheb Mastaner Upor Mastan Oder Dhor 2003Chandrakatha 2005Hajar Bochor Dhorey 2006Hridoyer Kotha Pitar AshonPraner Cheye Priyo Tumi Bondhu AmarBidrohi Padma 2007Amar Praner Shami Daktar Bari Bouyer Jala Saajghor Winner: National Film Award Best Male VocalistMaidan Shatru Shatru Khela Ami bachte Chai 2008Ek Takar BouO little friendKi Jadu KorilaKi Jadu KorilaWinner: National Film Award Best Male VocalistValobashar Dushmon Tip Tip Brishti Mayer Shopno Jodi Bou Sajo GoJodi Bou Sajo Go Buke Jorabo TomayShami Niye Juddho Bodhu Boron Somadhi Mone Prane Acho TumiEk Bindu Valobasha DaoWinner: Bachsas Awards Best Male VocalistTumi Amar Prem Amara Jan Amar PranAmi je number one
Icche Kore Valobashi
Shoto Bochor Aage Tomari ChilamBaba Amar Baba Tumi Shopno Tumi Sadhona Tomakei Khujchi Rajdhanir Raja 2009Shami Strir Wada Amar Praner PriyaTumi Amar Praner PriyaMon Diyechi Tomake Prem Koyedi Sobai Toh Valobasha Chay Mayer Haate Beheshter ChabiSobaire Sob Daan Koriya Amare Maa Korlo DaanKajer ManushAmi Kaher Manush VaiEbadot Tumi Amar ShamiMon Boshe Na Porar Table EAkash Kandile Brishti PoreO Sathi Re Biye Bari Tumi Ki Sei Jonmo Tomar Jonno 2010Amar Shopno Amar Songsar Bajao Biyer Bajna Top Hero Golapi ekhon bilateKeno Loke Valobasha ChayWinner: Bachsas Awards Best Male VocalistEk Joban Valobashlei Ghor Badha Jay NaJodi Proshno Koro Ki Ache AmarMayer Chokh Hay Prem Hay Valobasha Jomidar Premik Purush 2011Matir Thikana Ostro Charo Klom Dhoro Amar Prithibi Tumi Garments Konya Wanted 2012Se Amar Mon Kereche Shami Bhagya 2013Eki Britte Judge Barrister Police Commissioner Attoghatok Premik Number One 2014Shabnam Shimarekha Harijan Kothin ProtishodhBaba Je AmarSera Nayok 2015Putro Ekhon Poysawala I love you Priya Valobasha Shimahin Commissioner Lalchar Ekattorer Maa JononiEkti Shadhin DeshHridoy Dolano Prem 2016Raja 420 ValobashapurTomar Odhore, Tomar Aangina TeSonar Kathi
List of songs in other languages YearsMovieSongLanguageCo-artistLyricistMusic Director1986Shatru"Sooraj Chandaa Saagar Parbat" "Main Tera Bismil Hoon"HindiSolo MusicMajrooh Sultanpuri Anand BakshiR.D. Burman
Single tracks