Remembering Kishore Kumar on his 78th birth anniversary, seasoned music director Bappi Lahiri says the legendary singer was instrumental in making his compositions timeless.

"My compositions were only 60 percent, they turned 100 percent only after Kishore mama (uncle) lent his voice to them," Bappi Lahiri told.

"Kishore Kumar will never be born again. He is immortal and an irreplaceable singer," an emotional Lahiri added.

He said his mother used to tie a rakhi on Kishore Kumar. "Because of this loving bond, I considered him my maternal uncle. I fondly call him Kishore mama and received immense love and support from him," the music director said.

Kishore Kumar's 78th birth anniversary was on Aug 4.

The singer-composer duo of Kishore and Lahiri had churned out several foot-tapping numbers like "Pag Ghunghroo..." and "Aaj Rapat Jaayein...".

Remembering their "inseparable bond" Lahiri said 'mama' last recorded a song composed by him for the movie "Waqt Ki Awaaz", which was released in 1988.

Sharing the memories of Kishore Kumar's last recording, Lahiri said: "He was in a fantastic mood that day and we were all in splits."

"Around 5 p.m. he told Asha ji (Bhonsle), all the musicians and me that we would miss him when he will not be around. But who was to know that the next day he would actually be no more."

As an actor Kishore Kumar successfully tickled the funny bone of audiences in films like "Half-Ticket", "Pyar Kiye Jaa" and "Padosan". But he was an introvert and was quite clear about his likes and dislikes, the music director revealed.

"He was an introvert. He loved solitude and didn't want to be disturbed by anyone. But when in a good mood he used to make everyone around him burst into laughter.

"If he liked someone he considered him as part of his family. If he disliked someone he either stopped talking to him or spoke to him only when it was necessary," he recounted.

The music director further said that the soft-hearted Kishore Kumar had a great ear for music and was an incomparable performer.

"Just after recording a song, Kishore mama used to say which song will be a chartbuster," Lahiri said.

"I have done many shows with mama and have also met (Michael) Jackson personally but the energy and enthusiasm Kishore Kumar exuded is unmatchable."

Lahiri, who is currently a judge on the music talent hunt "Sa Re Ga Ma Pa", said that aspiring singers and composers must imbibe the versatility of Kishore Kumar, whose soul stirring voice still makes listeners laugh and cry.