Tribute to the God-sent composer Shankar ji !

By


Hemant Kumar Pawar

This is my humble tribute to the God-sent composer Shankar ji !

" Pariwartan ( Change ) sansar ka niyam hai ", said Lord Shrikrishna in 'Geeta' !
And, to bring about a major change in the long existing custom or system or tradition, a divine intervention is necessary many times.

God accomplishes such a 'Change' by sending His own avatars or messengers or angels or His favorite blessed souls down to this planet.

Shankar Singh Raghuvanshi was such blessed soul who was sent to this world on a special mission. His birth and life were certainly by a divine intervention if one takes a close look at his works and achievements.

HFM or the Hindi film music had become a sheer monotony until the year 1949, and not much was left in it to for billions of common public to enjoy. The compositions considered best by the then music fraternity ( before the year 1949 ), were mostly raaga-based and the vocals therein in nasal voices dominated the good music ( if there was any ). These songs were devoid of any cheerfulness, joy and life. Of course, there were exceptions, but few. These vintage compositions had nothing much to offer to the vast masses across the country.
In such a backdrop of situation, a major change was absolutely necessary that could cater to the musical taste of masses and classes alike.

And, here came that divine intervention in the form of human being called Shankar Singh Raghuvanshi, a native of Hyderabad who later shifted to the then Bombay to effect that vital change HFM so badly needed.

The entire Hindi film music of the Hindi cinema industry can be broadly divided in two parts. One, before the the legendary RK film Barsat and the other, post Barsat. This film was legendary in the sense that its music proved to be a landmark in the history of HFM, and from here the evolution in film songs and music started in the right direction. Today, after seventy years, a survey was conducted by the Planet Bollywood for the most popular music albums, and Barsat's album stood at no.1

And, very surprisingly, almost a single man Shankar Singh Raghuvanshi was solely responsible for this phenomenal change in the pattern, nature and course of the HFM, because Jaikishan, by yet another divine intervention to join Shankar Singh, was just a teenager at that time. He was just seventeen, and as such, cannot be assumed to be mature enough to know the actual business of the music industry, though an extremely and exceptionally talented genius master of every music.

Barsat was their debut film to compose music, and what music they created !
First time the discerning music lovers tasted the real nectar in music. It was here that film music got its true identity. The songs just cheered up the listeners, so much so, that they not only sang and hummed them frequently, but actually danced to this new and fresh music.

And, from Barsat onwards, almost everything in film music changed drastically. A golden era in film music was ushered in by the duo Shankar-Jaikishan that lasted till the death of Shankar Singh Raghuvanshi !

This man Shankar lived a life of Yogi in the glamour and glitter of the Bollywood, and spent his entire life in the "Sadhana" of music till his last breath. He was never moved by the usual allurements in the industry to which many geniuses and talents have fallen prey till date. Such a strength of character and determination was always seen in his individuality. A true ascetic Shankar ji was.

This is that fateful day on which this God -sent messenger returned to his abode in heaven in the year 1987 !

Messengers never fail !

People fail to know them in the proper perspective !!!

SHANKAR : COMPOSER LARGER THAN LIFE

by


Dharma Kirthi

Shankar composed music for more than 170 movies in his career spanning 39 years , starting from Barsat in 1949 till Gori his last movie. His brand Shankar Jaikishan won 9 Filmfare Awards and how many movies celebrated jubilees is not available. I am sure, the number must be more than 60.

As composer , Shankar was very particular about having rich orchestra, perhaps an habit he picked up from his patron film maker Raj Kapoor, who visualized movies larger than life. To substantiate my point, I wish to cite the example of a few songs from Jis Desh Mein Ganga Behti Hai.

Here is a movie, Shankar felt had no scope for music at all, and later scored one of their finest albums for a movie shot mostly in a dacoits den. This movie has 9 songs, and each song is such a rich experience in audio experience. This movie was released in 1960, which means the recording was done before that.

With such primitive recording equipment and facilities, they created such priceless gems, that one fails to visualize what magic they could have created in modern times.

Let’s take a look at the songs :

1 . Mera naam raju gharaana anaam..Movie opens with this song, shot in the vast expanse of Ganga in Haridwar . Just listen to the orchestra, melody and the energy. What a way to open the movie.

2.Begani Shaadi Mein Abdulla Diwana: Here is a fun song which has almost become a popular idiom. Absolutely energetic music and fun filled flow of melody.

3. Hoton pe Sachaai rehti hai: Here is one of the finest songs which portrays the ethos of what India is all about. The prelude for this song begins with a rich play of dafli..and then begins the song on a quite note..picks up with use of Sitar which pull at your heart strings..

4. Kya hua ye mujhe kya pata jaane kyun…A super energetic dance number for Padmini and Chanchal..what can I say about this song. Accordion and rhythm with bongos and percussion of maracas,

5.Ho Maine pyar kiya hoye hoye kya zulm kiya: Here is another very high voltage sensuous number, picturised on Padmini.

6. O Basanti pavan pagal : This pathos number has exceptionally rich orchestra especially, in the end, when Raj Kapoor returns and Padmini dances in front of Goddess Bhavani..My God, simply unbelievable and beyond words .

7. Hai aag hamare seene mein: This is a song with perhaps the maximum number of leading playback singers in one song. Full of energy and a flow which goes up in scale as it progresses. The use of rhythm and mandolin notes is exceptional, to say the least.

8. Pyar Karle nai te phaansi chad jaayega: Here is a classic song which sums up the essence of the story which preaches surrender of arms, and leading a life of honour. Simple and very touching song.

9. Aa Ab Laut chale: This song is the mother of all large screen songs. So much has been written about its orchestra and chorus, that I need not add anything more.

This is music, which elevates a simple story to the skies and makes it a super duper hit.

If this is not larger than life, then what is! This is not the only movie, there are 10s of such great movies with simply out of the world music !!

Shankar The Great !!