Ashok Kumar, aka Dadamoni, was a legendary actor in Bollywood whose career spanned six decades from 1936. In 1998, he was conferred the Dadasaheb Phalke Award and Padma Bhushan for his contribution to Indian cinema.

Born as Kumudlal Ganguly in Bengal Presidency on to Kunjalal and Gouri Devi, he is the eldest brother of actor and playback singing legend Kishore Kumar. His popular movies include “Achhut Kanya” (1936), “Kangan” (1939), “Kismet” (1943), “Parineeta” (1953) and “Khoobsurat” (1980).

As it was then customary for actors to sing their own songs, he sang many songs in his acting career, even though he was not a trained singer. Songs sung by him include “Khet Ki Muli Baag Ko Aam” (“Achhut Kanya”, 1936), “Aaj Mausam Salona Salona Re” (“Jhoola”, 1941), “Dhire Dhire Aa Re Badal” (“Kismet”, 1943), “Jhingapore Taqur Taqur” (“Aashirwad”, 1968) and “Chalo Haseen Geet Ek Banayein” (“Shaukeen”, 1982). One of the songs sung by him, "Koi Humdum Na Raha" ("Jeevan Naiyya", 1936) and composed by Saraswati Devi", was sung many years later by his brother Kishore Kumar in his debut film as music director, "Jhumroo" (1961).

He died on 10 December 2001 at the age of 90.