In occasion of Rumadi's 77th birthday celebration

Published in http://www.freepressjournal.in/

 

Madhubala the reason behind Kishores split with Ruma?

 

In her first ever interview, Kishore Kumars first wife Ruma Guha Thakurta talks about the singer, the reason they separated and being the blessed soul

LIPIKA VARMA

Legendary singer Kishore Kumars first wife Ruma Guha Thakurta celebrated her birthday recently with her close family members at the singers Juhu residence with great pomp and show.

Ruma, who turned 77 this year, married Kishore in 1951. The couple had a son, Amit Kumar, now a decent singer in his own right. Of course, the couple separated after a brief period, after which the maverick went on to marry actress Madhubala, Yogita Bali and Leena Chandavarkar in quick succession.

But Ruma Guha Thakurta, aka Ruma Ghosh, seems to still be in awe of the man with the golden voice.

Turning nostalgic a teary- eyed Ruma says, " I still remember Kishore for the golden heart that he possessed.

He may have married four times, but while I was leaving for Calcutta his eyes had turned moist and with choked throat he had requested me a hundred times or more to not leave him. He had said, 'Ruma, tumi keno jachho? Tumi ekhanei thako ( Ruma, why are you going? Please stay here).'" But prod her about what made her leave such a loving husband? It is said that Kishore worked doubly hard to afford every luxury for his wife, but Ruma maintains a stoic silence.

But then as an afterthought she suddenly talks, " It happened when Amit was barely a few years old. Kishore had married actress Madhubala and she was staying with us. When one fine morning she came to my room and said 'Abhi tumko jana padega. Tum yahan se chali jao ( now you will have to leave. Why don't you go away?)', I was shocked and retorted, I shall not leave this house. But Madhubala didn't stop there, she quickly responded, 'Okay, but when Kishore tells you then you will have to go.'I couldn't take it anymore. I am a human being too.

I wanted to stay because I knew that would make Kishore the happiest man." Contrary to what people think, the singer had left no property or big moolah on Rumas name but she is not complaining. " Kishore may not have left any property or bank balance on my name, but whatever I need is fulfilled by my son Amit. He pays for all my medicine bills, food, lodging and everything that is required for an old lady." Incidentally, Ruma bears no such hard feelings for Leena Chandavarkar.

And it is evident when she says, " Look at the sari that I am wearing today. It is Leenas. She is a very good soul. Now that I have shifted here, she is the one taking care of my meals, clothing and everything else I would need. We often spend our leisure time refreshing our old memories.

Trust me its a laugh riot.

Kishore was a man with a big tender heart. He would love to distribute whatever he could to the needy." Talking about the big birthday present, Ruma reveals, " It was the launch of our website, where all of Kishores, Amits and Sumeets songs will be uploaded for listeners. I feel like the most privileged woman on earth. God has bestowed this opportunity in a well planned manner. As Kishores first wife, I couldn't have asked for anything more."