Favourite Bollywood Composers
No ranking, in general sorted First Name / Family Name.
But I put together composer families (like Biswas or Burman), and those who always worked as a Duo (like Laxmikant-Pyarelal).
Personal favourites are father & son Sachin and Rahul Dev Burman (that's why they are on top of the list).
Thanks for checking, enjoy.
But I put together composer families (like Biswas or Burman), and those who always worked as a Duo (like Laxmikant-Pyarelal).
Personal favourites are father & son Sachin and Rahul Dev Burman (that's why they are on top of the list).
Thanks for checking, enjoy.
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Rahul Dev Burman was born on 27 June 1939 in Calcutta, Bengal Presidency, British India. He was a composer and actor, known for Sholay (1975), 1942: A Love Story (1994) and Procession of Memories (1973). He was married to Asha Bhosle and Rita Patel. He died on 4 January 1994 in Bombay, Maharashtra, India.- Composer
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Sachin Dev Burman was born on 1 October 1906 in Comilla, Tripura, British India. He was a composer, known for Abhimaan (1973), Guide (1965) and Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004). He was married to Meera Dev Burman. He died on 31 October 1975 in Bombay, Maharashtra, India.- Composer
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Anil Biswas was born on 7 July 1914 in Barisal, Bengal Presidency, British India. He was a composer and actor, known for Dev Anand in Goa (Alias Farar) (1955), Return of Mr. Superman (1960) and Jasoos (1955). He was married to Meena Kapoor and Ashalata Biswas. He died on 31 May 2003 in New Delhi, India.- Composer
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Utpal Biswas is known for Shahenshah (1988), Khanjar (2003) and Ghar Mein Ram Gali Mein Shyam (1988).- Music Artist
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A two-time winner and five-time nominee of the Academy Award, A. R. Rahman is popularly known as the man who has redefined contemporary Indian music. Rahman, according to a BBC estimate, has sold more than 150 million copies of his work comprising of music from more than 100 film soundtracks and albums across over half a dozen languages, including landmark scores such as "Roja", "Bombay", "Dil Se", "Taal", "Lagaan", "Vandemataram", "Jodhaa Akbar", "Slumdog Millionaire" and "127 Hours".
Rahman pursued music as a career at a very young age. After assisting leading musicians in India, he went on to compose jingles and scores for popular Indian television features. He also obtained a degree in western classical music from the Trinity College of Music, London and set up his own in-house studio called Panchathan Record-Inn in Chennai. In 1991, noted filmmaker Mani Ratnam offered Rahman a movie called "Roja" which was a run-away success and brought nationwide fame and acclaim to the composer. The movie also won Rahman the Indian National Award for Best Music Composer, the first time ever by a debut. Since then, Rahman has gone on to win the National Award three more times - the most ever by any music composer.
In 1997, to commemorate 50 years of Indian Independence, Sony Music signed Rahman as its first artist in South Asia. The result was "Vande Mataram", an album that instantly and successfully rekindled the spirit of patriotism among Indians around the world. In 2001, Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber, renowned music composer of musicals including "Phantom of the Opera" and "Jesus Christ Superstar", invited Rahman to compose for his musical, "Bombay Dreams", which was the first production that Sir Webber did not compose for. "Bombay Dreams" opened to packed houses at London's West End and had an unprecedented run for two years. The show later premiered in New York. In 2005, Rahman composed the score for the stage production of "The Lord of the Rings", one of the most expensive productions mounted on stage.
In 2008, Rahman's work gained global prominence with the extraordinary success of his score for "Slumdog Millionaire" that won eight Academy Awards including two for Rahman - Best Score and Best Song. Rahman won over 15 awards for this score including two Grammys, the Golden Globe and the BAFTA. Rahman's music led him to be noticed internationally with several of his tracks featured in movies such as "The Lord of War", "Inside Man" and "The Accidental Husband". His composition, "Bombay Theme" holds the distinction for being featured in over 50 international compilations. Aside from "Slumdog Millionaire", he also scored the music for Hollywood productions, "Elizabeth - The Golden Age", "Couples Retreat", "127 Hours", "People Like Us", "Warriors of Heaven & Earth", "The 100 Foot Journey", "Million Dollar Arm" and "Pele".
Rahman has been conferred with honorary doctorates from the Trinity College of Music, Aligarh Muslim University, Anna University, Middlesex University and Berklee College of Music. In 2009, he was featured in Time Magazine's "Time100: The Most Influential People."
In 2011, Rahman joined a super band, SuperHeavy, comprised of Mick Jagger, Joss Stone, Damian Marley and Dave Stewart. Rahman has collaborated with several other international artists including Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, Michael Jackson, Michael Bolton, MIA, Vanessa Mae, the Pussycat Dolls, Sarah Brightman, Dido, Hossam Ramzy, Hans Zimmer and Akon.
Rahman remains one of the few mainstream artists whose works have been performed live by the likes of the London Philharmonic Orchestra, Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra, Babelsberg Film Orchestra and the Birmingham Symphony Orchestra.
Rahman has expanded his focus to newer horizons including the establishment of the A. R. Rahman Foundation to help poor and underprivileged children. Rahman has also announced initiatives to establish a tradition in western classical music in India and has embarked on an ambitious venture to set up the KM Music Conservatory and the KM Music Symphony Orchestra based out of Chennai, India.- Composer
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Anand Chitragupth is known for Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak (1988), Extraction (2020) and Baaghi: A Rebel for Love (1990).- Music Department
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Anandji Veerji Shah was born on 2 March 1933 in Kundrodi, Gujarat, India. He is a composer, known for Raees (2017), K.G.F: Chapter 1 (2018) and Don (2006).- Composer
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Kalyanji Veerji Shah was born on 30 June 1928 in Kundrodi, Kutch, Gujarat, India. Kalyanji Veerji was a composer, known for Raees (2017), Don (2006) and Don (1978). Kalyanji Veerji died on 24 August 2000 in India.- Composer
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Anu Malik, also known as Anwar Malik, has his finger on the pulse of the commercial mainstream music of India, delivering hits that are lovable, delightful, and above all, marketable to Bollywood's regular audience. Anu Malik was the son of famous composer Sardar Malik, and got his first break with the film Poonam in 1981. After composing for almost a decade, Anu received wide recognition with the film Baazigar in 1993, which also won him a Filmfare Award for the Best Music Director. It was around this time that Anu provided some of his best music for films such as 'Phir Teri Kahani Yaad Aayi', Sir, and Akele Hum Akele Tum. In 2001, Anu won a National Film Award for the Best Music Director for 'Refugee'. Anu occasionally dabbles with playback singing, too. He won his second Filmfare Award in 2004 for the film 'Main Hoon Na'. His song "Chamma Chamma" from the film China Gate was also used in the movie 'Moulin Rouge'.- Music Artist
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Bappi Lahiri was popular in the late 1970s, 1980s and early 1990s for the film soundtracks composed by him from films such as Zakhmee, Chalte Chalte, Naya Kadam, Aangan Ki Kali, Wardat, Disco Dancer, Hathkadi, Namak Halaal, Masterji, Dance Dance,Himmatwala, Justice Chaudhury, Tohfa, Maqsad, Commando, Gang Leader, Sailaab and Sharaabi. He came to Mumbai when he was 19. He received his first opportunity in a Cinema of West Bengal, ''Daadu'' (1974) where he made Lata Mangeshkar sing his composition. The first Hindi film for which he composed music was ''Nanha Shikari'' (1973) and his first Hindi composition was Tu Hi Mera Chanda sung by Mukesh. The turning point of his career was Tahir Husain's Hindi film, Zakhmee (1975), for which he composed music and doubled as a playback singer. He composed a duet with Mohammed Rafi and Kishore Kumar named "Nothing Is Impossible", for the same film.His compositions Jalta Hai Jiya Mera (Kishore Asha duet) and Lata Mangeshkar solos like Abhi Abhi Thi Dushmani and Aao Tumhe Chand from the same film became popular and gave him recognition. The duet Phir Janam Lenge Hum sung by Kishore Lata became famous from the film Phir Janam Lengey Hum. All songs from the film Chalte Chalte (1976), became hits, thus bringing him recognition as a music director at national level.He sang duet with Sulakshana Pandit named Jana Kahan Hai which gave him recognition as singer. Songs from the films like Aap Ki Khatir, Dil Se Mile Dil, Patita,Lahu Ke Do Rang, Hatya and Ravikant Nagaichs ''Surakksha'' 1979 had soft music.
His singing and music became even more popular and got branded as disco master. In the early 80s, he added an element of the then-popular disco music to his compositions, in movies such as ''Wardat'' 1981, Sahhas 1981, ''Laparwah'' 1981, ''Pyara Dushman'' 1980. Examples are the songs "Hari Om Hari", and the ''Armaan'' (1981) song "Ramba Ho Samba Ho". Mithun Chakraborty and Bappi Lahiri became synonyms of Indian disco culture in the 1980s, largely due to movies such as Disco Dancer and Dance Dance .His song "Jimmy Jimmy" was a success in the early 1980s and is said to have achieved some fame in other countries such as Russia. Some in the media have called Lahiri the "Disco King" of India after success of Disco Dancer in 1983.He also composed music for some ghazals, namely "Kisi Nazar Ko Tera Intezaar Aaj Bhi Hai" and "Aawaz Di Hai" for the 1985 film ''Aitbaar''. He also composed melodious songs sung by Kishore Kumar either as duets with Asha Bhosle or Lata Mangeshkar in the films starring Rajesh Khanna in the 80's in hit films like Naya Kadam, Masterji, Aaj Ka M.L.A Ram Avatar, Bewafai, Maqsad, Suraag, Insaaf Main Karoonga and Adhikar. After success of the film Himmatwala, Bappi regularly composed duets sung by Kishore Kumar for films starring Jeetendra like in Justice Chowdhry, Jaani Dost, Mawali, Haisiyat, Tohfa, Balidaan, Qaidi, Hoshiyaar,Sinhasan, Suhaagan, Majaal, Tamasha, Sone Pe Suhaga and Dharm Adhikari.Bappi Lahiri made a record by composing for 12 super-hit silver jubilee movies starring Jetendra as the lead hero in the period 1983-1985. He entered the Guinness Book of World Records for recording over 180 songs for 33 films in 1986. He used fusion music in the feature film ''Namak Halaal'' in the song "Pagh Ghungroo Bandh Meera Nache Te", which was 12 minutes long.
Lahiri has composed over 5,000 songs in over 500 films. He has also composed music for three films made in Bangladesh. He composed the background score for the 1989 Hollywood film ''Eye Witness to Murder'', produced by Vijay Amritraj and directed by Jagmohan Mundra. He also created the music for the Indian English language film Divine Lovers, which was produced and directed by Babbar Subhash in 1997.He recorded two private English albums, ''Moving Away'' in 1986 and ''Snake Dance'' in 1990, with songs sung by himself. In 1982, he cut a private Hindi pop album titled ''Superuna'', with songs by the Bangladesh singer Runa Laila. This was followed by a private Hindi pop album for Polygram called ''Dance Dance Music Lover'', with Padmini Kolhapure. In 1986, he released ''Welcome'' in London, with Anil Kapoor and Salma Agha, and ''Dancing City'', which featured songs by the Hindi actress Mandakini. introduced his daughter Rema Lahiri in 1987, then 9 years old, in a disco version of children's nursery rhymes called "Little Star", marketed by HMV. The platinum disc song had an unbroken record for best sales among the children's section. Based on Michael Jackson's Thriller (Michael Jackson album, Lahiri released a video-pop album titled "Bappi Lahiri's thriller live", consisting of eight Hindi songs. He also released albums such as ''Dance Party'', sung by his daughter Rema Lahiri in 1990, ''Jawani Jawani'', released by Venus Records & Tapes, ''Night Lovers'' in 1992, ''Heatrave'' in 1993, ''Yamma Yamma Dance'' with Usha Uthup in 1995, and ''Nine Below Zero'' in 1997. In 2014, he composed two songs for the album ''Women's Day Special: Spreading Melodies Everywhere'', along with Sunil Jha and Shakir Ali. The tracks were penned by Meenu Singh and sung by Sunidhi Chauhan and Rekha Raj. November 1994 Lahiri started his music company, BL Sound (now called B9 Digital Studios Mumbai). He released several CDs under his banner such as ''Ala-li-la'' in 1995, ''Jungle Boy'', ''Super Rema'' sung by his daughter Rema Lahiri, ''Purono Jeans'', ''Agnee Prem'', ''Hum Hai Khalnayak'', ''Saajan Ke Liye'', ''Sraddhanjali Amar Maa - a tribute to Bansari Lahiri'' (1997) and ''Get on the dance floor'' (a compilation of eight songs by international singers such as Tony Di Bart and Sabrina Johnston. also a singer and performer of repute on stage. He introduced disco songs to Hindi cinema and introduced several pop singers such as Usha Uthup, Sharon Prabhakar, Alisha Chinai, Parvati Khan, Bali Brahmabhatt, Vijay Benedict, Nandu Bhende, Remo Fernandes, Salma Agha. Even film stars Anil Kapoor,Amrish Puri, Padmini Kolhapure,Moandakini and Amjad Khan have sung under his baton. Many prominent singers such as Lata Mangeshkar, P.Susheela, Asha Bhosle Kishore Kumar and Mohammed Rafi, Mukesh, Manna Dey, Yesudas S. Janaki and the newer generation singers such as K.S. Chitra, Kavita Krishnamurthy, Amit Kumar have sung for his compositions. He is also a singer and performer of repute on stage. Even next generation singers Kumar Sanu, Udit Narayan,Suresh Wadkar, Sadhana Sargam, Sonu Nigam, Abhijeet Bhattacharya, S.P. Balasubramaniam, Alka Yagnik, Anuradha Paudwal, Shailender Singh, Shabbir Kumar, Vinod Ratho, Mohammad Aziz, Sudesh Bhosle, along with Gazal singers Jagjit Singh, Bhupinder Singh and Pankaj Udhas have sung songs composed by Lahiri in a career spanning 50 years in over 500 films in over 5000 songs.- Composer
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Biddu was born in 1944 in India. He is a composer and actor, known for The Stud (1978), Shootout at Lokhandwala (2007) and The Bitch (1979).- Composer
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C. Ramchandra was born on 12 January 1918 in Punatambe, Maharashtra, India. He was a composer and producer, known for Azaad (1955), Wahan Ke Log (1967) and Albela (1951). He died on 5 January 1982 in India.- Composer
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Chitra Gupta was born on 16 November 1917. He was a composer, known for Adhi Raat Ke Baad (1965), Zabak (1961) and Wedding Celebration (1962). He died on 14 January 1991 in India.- Composer
Hari Bhuban is known for 27 Down (1974).- Music Artist
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Hemanta Mukherjee was born on 16 June 1920 in Benares, Benares State, British India. He was a music artist and composer, known for Nagin (1954), Bees Saal Baad (1962) and Lalan Fakir (1987). He was married to Bela Mukherjee. He died on 26 September 1989 in Calcutta, West Bengal, India.- Composer
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Hridaynath Mangeshkar was born on 26 October 1937 in Sangli, Maharashtra, India. He is a composer and producer, known for Lekin... (1990), Badlapur (2015) and Maya (1993).- Music Artist
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Born and brought up in an obscure village near Kambam in Southern Tamil Nadu, Ilayaraja became the first Asian to score a symphony for the London Philharmonic Orchestra, besides scoring over 1000 feature films in a period of 38 years. Raja, as he is popularly known and affectionately called, comes from a family of musicians. His mother, a huge repository of Tamil folk songs, seems to be a very strong influence in his music. He learned to play the harmonium, the typical musical instrument used in street performances. The team of the brothers, the eldest being Pavalar Varadharajan, a poet, worked as a group of musicians traveling across the state, accompanying theater artists. Raja picked up most of his acumen for audience tastes during this period.
In 1969, Raja migrated to the city of Madras, the Southern Movie capital, when he was 25 years old, looking for a break into music making for the public. He studied under Dhanraj Master, playing the guitar and piano in the Western style. Ilayaraja's break into music for films came with Annakili in 1976. The film dealt with a village story, to which Ilayaraja composed great melodies. The songs offered simplicity and musicality typical of Tamil folk in an authentic way, and they offered new sounds--rich orchestration typical of Western music. The songs became an instant hit, the most popular being "Machchana Partheengala" sung by a female voice, S. Janaki. This was followed by a series of films that portrayed contemporary Tamil villages in an authentic way, against stylistic shallow portrayals before. For all of these films Raja created memorable songs. Most popular were the songs "Senthoorappove" and "Aatukkutti Mutaiyittu" from Pathinaru Vayathinile (1977), and "Samakkozhi" and "Oram Po" from Ponnu Oorukku Pudhusu (1979).
Raja soon proved his abilities in other styles as well. classical Karnatic melodies were used in Kannan Oru Kai Kuzhandhai (1978) (Rag Mohanam), Mayile Mayile (Ragam Hamsadhwani), and Chinna Kannan Azhaikiran (Reethi Gowlai). Raja's grasp of Western classical structure became evident with his masterful use of the piano, guitar, and string ensembles. Some of the numbers that show his orchestral genius are "Pon malai Pozhudu" and "Poongadhave" from Nizhalgal (1980), Kanmaniye Kadhal from Aarilirindhu Aruvathu Varai (1979), "Ramanin Mohanam" from Netri Kann (1981), "En Iniya Pon nilave from Moodupani (1980), "Paruvame Pudhiya" from Nenjathai Killathe (1980), and "Edho Moham" from Kozhi Koovuthu (1982). These songs could literally be heard coming from every doorstep in Tamil Nadu state every day for at least a year after being released. Raja composed film music prolifically for the next fifteen years, at a rate of as many as three new songs a day. After a few years as a film composer, he could write all the parts to a score as they came to him, and his assistants would make fair copies, which would be recorded immediately.
Once during a trip to Europe, he visited places where Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Johann Sebastian Bach, and Ludwig van Beethoven lived. They were his Manasika Gurus or non-physical teachers, he wrote once. He also met contemporary composers and arrangers including Paul Mauriat. His listeners were awestruck by the quality and quantity of his musical output. He also scored a few films abroad. Ilayaraja's image grew to be a unique one in the history of Tamil cinema: stories, themes, and casts would be changed to fit his music, which swept away the minds of millions of Indians in hundreds of films.
Ilayaraja also recorded non-film albums, such as "How to Name It" and "Nothing But Wind," which were well-received in India and abroad. In 1993, he wrote a symphony for the London Philharmonic Orchestra in an amazing one-month span. To many people who know him, Raja represents more than his music. He is usually referred to by the title Isaignani (English: Musical Genius), or as The Maestro. ilaiyaraaja is a gold medalist in classical guitar from Trinity College of Music, London. He is a mark of great achievement that is possible by hard work, yet he is seen in most of his interviews as talking very philosophically. He is very much attracted by the philosophy of Ramana Maharishi of Thiruvanna Malai, who lived in the early 20th Century. Raja once referred to Ramana as "our Zen master."- Music Department
Jaidev is known for Charulata (1964).- Composer
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Jaikishan Dayabhai Panchal was born on 4 November 1929 in Vansda, Bansda State, British India. He was a composer and actor, known for Deadpool (2016), Suraj (1966) and Chori Chori (1956). He died on 12 September 1971 in Bombay, Maharashtra, India.- Composer
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Shankarsingh Raghuwanshi was born on 15 October 1922 in Hyderabad, Hyderabad State, British India. He was a composer, known for Deadpool (2016), Suraj (1966) and Chori Chori (1956). He died on 26 April 1987 in Bombay, Maharashtra, India.- Composer
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Khayyam was born on 18 February 1927 in Rahon, Nawanshahr District, Punjab, British India. He was a composer, known for Umrao Jaan (1981), Kabhi Kabhie (1976) and Lion (2016). He was married to Jagjit Kaur. He died on 19 August 2019 in Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.- Composer
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Laxmikant Shantaram Kudalkar was born on 3 November 1937 in Bombay, Bombay Presidency, British India. He was a composer and actor, known for Karz (1980), Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004) and Satyam Shivam Sundaram: Love Sublime (1978). He died on 25 May 1998 in Nanavati Hospital, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.- Composer
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Pyarelal Ramprasad Sharma was born on 3 September 1940 in Bombay, Bombay Presidency, British India. He is a composer and actor, known for Om Shanti Om (2007), Karz (1980) and Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004).- Composer
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Madan Mohan was one of the most respected Hindi film composers. He was also one of the most overlooked - in a career spanning 25 years, he composed music for only over around 100 films, out of which only 25 became box-office hits. This was due to his extremely fastidious nature and the number of tunes he composed for his films that were never used. Born Madan Kohli in 1924, he was the son of Raj Bahadur Chunilal, who worked in famous studios like Bombay Talkies and Filmistan. From his childhood he was seen as musically inclined and talented. In fact, during his lifetime, he amassed an amazing record of compositions, the majority of which were either unutilized for lack of appropriate films or were alternate tunes composed for his films.
He began working in Bollywood as an assistant to music director C. Ramchandra, and got his first major film with Aankhen (1950), a love triangle. The film was a success. Subsequently, a fair amount of work came to Mohan. Among his earlier films was a trilogy of movies with his childhood friend Raj Kapoor - _Aashiana (1952)_, _Dhoon (1952)_ and Papi (1953). Unfortunately for Mohan, the films he chose to compose for did not create much impact, and it was only with Bhai Bhai (1956), which starred the legendary Kumar brothers, Ashok Kumar and Kishore Kumar, that he got some success. But from then on, things got rough; Railway Platform (1955), Gateway of India (1957), while with excellent music, weren't huge hits. And to make matters worse, all of the top stars had already chosen a particular composer to work with (e.g. Dilip Kumar with Naushad the great composer), which left no room for a débutant, however talented.
Then, in the late 1950s and the 1960s, things changed for the better. His scores for Dekh Kabira Roya (1957) and Adalat (1958) showed that. And in the 1960s, he really began to be noticed with Anpadh (1962), with his songs becoming the rage all over India. It was with this film that he became to be known as the Ghazal King, even though he had already established his reputation for gossamer melodies with Adalat (1958). He acquired further commercial success with two films by Raj Khosla - _Woh Kaun Thi (1964)_ and Mera Saaya (1966). He also began to work with filmmaker Chetan Anand, for which he produced his most outstanding score in Haqeeqat (1964), a war film.
Although he brought out the best in his singers, special mention must be made of his work with Lata Mangeshkar, which showed both of them at their very best. This legendary combination was established in 1951 with Adaa (1951) and continued right up to (and after) his death. Mohan had this special talent of bringing out the best in Lata's voice - she could sound seductive in Sanjog (1961), jaunty in Neela Akash (1965) and perky in Mera Saaya (1966). However, it was in sentimental songs that they were at their best.
In the 1970s, when Western songs from films like _Hare Rama Hare Krishna (1971)_, Mohan still composed poetic melodies. His strict aesthetic sense caused him to be in great demand with sensitive if not commercially successful filmmakers, and he collaborated with respected names like Hrishikesh Mukherjee, Sampooran Singh Gulzar and Rajinder Singh Bedi, his collaboration with Bedi particularly standing out as it was with Dastak (1970) that he got the National Award for best music director - it was the only major award he got during his lifetime.
In 1975, at the age of 51, Mohan died from cirrhosis of the liver. Ironically, two films released soon afterwards - The Season (1975) and _Laila Majnu (1975)_ - became resounding musical successes. However, three decades later, two films paid their tribute to Mohan. One was Ab Tumhare Hawale Watan Saathiyo (2004), a war film which, interestingly, took its title from one of his songs from Haqeeqat (1964). The film, however, didn't do well at the box-office. The other film, a romance called Veer-Zaara (2004), paid a more fitting tribute for a composer - the director, Yash Chopra, took some of his unused compositions and used them in the film.
The spectacular success of Veer-Zaara (2004), especially its soundtrack (with a 75-year-old Lata Mangeshkar still as melodious as ever), established Madan Mohan as one of the elite composers of all time...- Composer
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Manzoor Ashraf was born in 1942 in Lahore, Punjab, British India [now Pakistan]. Manzoor was a composer and director, known for Knight of Cups (2015), Budha Gujjar (2002) and Josh-E-Inteqaam (1968). Manzoor died on 4 February 2007 in Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan.- Composer
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Manohar Lal Sonik was a composer, known for Mera Saaya (1966), Sawan Bhadon (1970) and Awara Badal (1964). Manohar Lal died on 9 July 1993 in Bombay, India.- Composer
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Om Prakash Sonik is known for Sawan Bhadon (1970), Ek Khilari Bawan Pattey (1972) and Teen Ekkey (1980).- Composer
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Regarded as a pioneer of Indian music, Naushad Ali was one of the one of the first and foremost composers in the history of Bollywood. Since 1937, he was composing music for films that, along with his music, formed the very foundation and core of Bollywood. He is also known for introducing the legendary singers Lata Mangeshkar and Mohammad Rafi to the world and transfiguring them into the icons they are today. While he did less than a hundred films during his lifetime, 26 of those films went on to celebrate jubilees, some of them making golden and even diamond jubilees!
He was born on December 25, 1919, in the city of Lucknow. From early childhood, he was an avid film buff, listening to the live orchestras that accompanied silent films back then. He studied classical Indian music under renowned musicians like Ustad Ghurbat Ali, Ustad Yusuf Ali, and Ustad Babban Saheb, and began composing music for amateur theatrical groups like the Windsor Music Entertainers. He also spent much of his time repairing harmoniums.
In the late 1930s, he came to Bombay to be a success as a musician. But he had to struggle to make it to the top. Initially he faced rebuffs, and had to endure periods of utter deprivation. Naushad even spent nights sleeping on footpaths before he finally secured a job as a pianist in composer Mushtaq Hussain 's orchestra. Composer Khemchand Prakash took him on as his assistant and taught him, an act for which he remained extremely grateful throughout his life. Soon, Naushad got his break with the film Prem Nagar (1940), but it was only with Sharda (1942) that he got attention. The film Ratan (1944) took him right to the top, and from then on he could produce blockbuster songs for appropriately smash hit films, most notably films made by either Abdul Rashid Kardar or Mehboob Khan.
Naushad's style was renowned for his ability to incorporate classical rhythms into his symphonies. He based his music upon the "ragas" that formed a basis in Indian classical music, and thus his music took on complex formations and . His taste for classical music was legendary - in the Mughal musical Baiju Bawra (1952), he used actual classical singers to sing his ghazals. In spite of his classical tendencies, he could also keep up with the times and adapt Western techniques and instruments into his music, as heard in the films Jadoo (1951) and Mere Mehboob (1963). Naushad was also among the first to use the techniques of sound mixing, of separate recording of vocal and music tracks in playback singing, and using background scores to enhance characters' moods and dialogues through music.
Naushad's career continued at a steady peak throughout the 1950s and 1960s, with some of his melodies being featured in now-perennial classics like the Mughal period films Baiju Bawra (1952) and Mughal-E-Azam (1960) and the epic Mother India (1957). Unfortunately and to his distaste the times were changing and demanded more fast-paced, peppier tunes, and Naushad had to struggle to keep his music pure and classical. In fact for Saathi (1968), he was persuaded, against his will, to re-record two of his songs to pep up their pace and their appeal. It was due to this uncompromising attitude towards his music that he would only compose less than a hundred films in his lifetime.
In the 1960s, he composed for Dilip Kumar 's dacoit drama Gunga Jumna (1961), which became a smash hit in India. However, both Kumar's and Naushad's days were numbered, and as their films came unstuck at the box-office, their fortunes dwindled. Naushad was still held in high regard, but he was now given mostly period films, most notably the courtesan romance Pakeezah (1972). However, he still gave his all in his efforts and he continued composing for films right through to the 1990s. He received the Dhundiraj Govind Phalke Award in 1981 for his lifetime contribution to Bollywood cinema and in 2004, when Mughal-E-Azam (1960) was re-released in colour, he was on hand along with Dilip Kumar - to attend the premiere and revive their days of glory.
In early 2006, Naushad was admitted to Ninavati Hospital after complaints of uneasiness, and on 5 May 2006, he died of old age. His last film, Taj Mahal: An Eternal Love Story (2005), while receiving mixed reviews, was greatly praised for its musical score. Even in today's fast-moving world, people still found something special in his music. Such is the hallmark of a truly great composer...- Composer
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O.P. Nayyar was born on 16 January 1926 in Lahore, Punjab, British India [now Pakistan]. He was a composer, known for Naya Daur (1957), Don (2006) and C.I.D. (1956). He was married to Saroj Mohini. He died on 28 January 2007 in Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.- Composer
- Music Department
- Actor
Rajesh Roshan was born on 24 May 1955 in Mumbai, Maharashtra, India. He is a composer and actor, known for Kaho Naa... Pyaar Hai (2000), Koi... Mil Gaya (2003) and Kaabil (2017).- Music Artist
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- Composer
Ravi was born on 3 March 1926 in Delhi, British India. He was a music artist and composer, known for Gharana (1961), Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (1995) and Hamraaz (1967). He died on 7 March 2012 in Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.- Music Artist
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- Music Department
Ravindra Jain was born on 28 February 1944 in Aligarh, United Provinces, British India. He was a music artist and composer, known for Ram Teri Ganga Maili (1985), Ankhiyon Ke Jharokhon Se (1978) and Ramayan (2008). He was married to Divya Jain. He died on 9 October 2015 in Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.- Music Artist
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- Music Department
Salil Choudhury was born on 19 November 1923 in Harinavi, 24 Parganas, Bengal Presidency, British India. He was a music artist and composer, known for Madhumati (1958), Anand (1971) and Prem Patra (1962). He was married to Jyoti Chowdhury and Sabita Banerjee. He died on 5 September 1995 in Calcutta, West Bengal, India.- Music Department
Sapan Chakravarty is known for Sunny (1984).- Composer
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- Composer
- Music Department
- Actress
Usha Khanna was born on 7 October 1941. She is a composer and actress, known for Badal (1966), Shabnam (1964) and Kab? Kyoon? Aur Kahan? (1970).- Composer
- Director
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- Composer
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Wajahat Attre was a composer, known for Rangeelay Jasoos (1989), Allah Waris (1990) and Shah Behram (1985). He died on 26 May 2017 in Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan.