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 !!!