C Ramchandra and his Fearless Experimentation with Film Music
The music director who effortlessly presented Western, Middle-eastern, and Indian Fusion
By Hank WalkerLIFE Photo Collection
Every Indian is familiar with 'Ae Mere Watan Ke Logon,' the patriotic song sung by Lata Mangeshkar. This song was performed live for the first time on India's Republic Day (26th January 1963) at National Stadium, New Delhi.
Dedicated to the Indian martyrs of the 1962 Sino-India war, Lata Mangeshkar performed this song in front of President Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan and Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru.
India Politics (1946-05) by Margaret Bourke-WhiteLIFE Photo Collection
So emotionally stirring was this song that it brought Pandit Nehru to tears. Till today, this song is played at national celebrations and continues to evoke a sense of nationalism.
Clarinet in B-flat Clarinet in B-flat (1830) by Charles Joseph SaxThe Metropolitan Museum of Art
It was Kavi Pradeep who penned the lyrics and C Ramchandra who composed music for this patriotic song. This and many more timeless pieces have been composed by the famous music director of the Golden Era, C Ramchandra.
A true artist that he was, Ramchandra never stuck to one art form. He displayed versatility by singing and composing music, and even acting in movies.
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C Ramchandra was fondly called Annasaheb, Shyamoo, or Ram Chitalkar. However, his official name was Ramchandra Narhar Chitalkar. The multi-faceted artist was born in Puntamba, a small town in Maharashtra.
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He received musical training at Gandharva Mahavidyalaya by Vinayakbua Patwardhan and also by Shankarrao Sapre of Nagpur.
His career in the film industry began as an actor for Y. V. Rao's movie, Naganand (1935). He appeared again on-screen to showcase his good looks and acting skills in Said-e-Havas (1936) and Atma Tarang (1937).
But soon, Ramchandra changed his path to establishing himself in the music industry. He was the harmonium accompaniment for music composers Bindu Khan and Habib Khan of the Minerva Movietone production company.
Later, Ramchandra assisted Meer Saab, the music director of Minerva, for numerous films such as Meetha Zahar (1938), Jailor (1938), and Pukar (1939). Ramchandra bagged his first assignment as a music director for the Tamil movies, Jayakkodi (1940) and Vana Mohini (1940). His first Hindi movie as a music director was Sukhi Jeevan (1942). Here on, Ramchandra composed numerous hits.
It's claimed that Ramchandra brought in rock n' roll in India before this music became popular in the west. He experimented with Western, Middle-eastern styles and Hindustani ragas.
Song: Shola Jo Bhadke Dil Mera DhadkeShemaroo
He would pair Western instruments such as clarinet, bongo, trumpet, guitar, and saxophone with Indian instruments such as sarangi, flute, tabla, and sitar in his compositions. A perfect example is this song ‘Shola Jo Bhadke’ from Albela (1951).
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Song: Shola Jo Bhadke Dil Mera DhadkeShemaroo
‘Shola Jo Bhadke’ showcases how brilliantly he assembled different instruments along with the clapping sound. This foot-tapping music sounds fresh even to the current generation.
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He was also inspired by the famous American musician and the 'King of Swing,' Benny Goodman. Benny's clarinet style is very evident in the popular song 'Meri Jaan…Sunday Ke Sunday' from the movie, Shehnai (1964).
Soprano Helicon in B-flat Soprano Helicon in B-flat (mid-19th century)The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Ramchandra's creations were fun, light-hearted, and melodic songs with quirky lyrics. He lent his voice for most of these hilarious and upbeat songs.
Some of his musical hits still have their charm on listeners; 'Eena Meena Deeka' from Aasha (1957), 'Shin Shinaki Bubla Boo' from Shin Shinaki Bubla Boo (1952), 'Gore Gore, O Banke Chorey' from Samadhi (1950), and 'Mere Piya Gaye Rangoon' from Patanga (1949) to name a few.
Sitar (late 19th century)The Metropolitan Museum of Art
But he also proved his capability in soft and soulful melodies such as 'Phir Wohi Chaand Wohi Hum Wohi Tanhaai Hai' from Baarish (1957), 'Yeh Zindagi Usi Ki Hain' from Anarkali (1953) and his ghazal composition 'Mohabbat Hi Na Jo Samjhe' from Parchhain (1952). Listed below are a few picks from his countless compositions.
Song: Deewana Yeh Parwana Shamma PeShemaroo
This story on C Ramchandra will be incomplete without mentioning the movie Albela. It appears that all the playful and light-hearted melodies, including this song, were perfectly composed for the on-screen daydreaming and happy-go-lucky character of Bhagwan Dada.
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Song: Mehfil Mein Meri…Ghazab Ki Neend HaiShemaroo
Ramachandra gave his voice for all songs in this movie, except for this one sung by the legend Mohammad Rafi.
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Song: Haseenon Se Mohabbat KaShemaroo
His solo hits for Albela were 'Haseenon Se Mohabbat Ka' and 'O Beta Jee Kismat Ki Hawa.'
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Song: Shaam Dhale Khidki TaleShemaroo
His duets with Lata Mangeshkar, including this song 'Shaam Dhale Khidki Tale' and others like 'Dheere Se Aaja Ri Akhiyan Mein' and 'Bholi Soorat Dil Ke Khote' are fondly remembered even today.
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Song: Aplam Chaplam Chaplayee ReShemaroo
'Aplam Chaplam Chaplayee Re' – This cheerful song sung by Lata Mangeshkar and her talented sister, Usha Mangeshkar is from the movie, Azaad (1955).
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Song: Aplam Chaplam Chaplayee ReShemaroo
Initially, the famous music composer, Naushad, was approached by the producer, S. N. Naidu, to compose Azaad's soundtrack in two weeks. Naushad's refusal was Ramachandra's gain, who readily composed ten songs within the timeline.
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Song: Dekho Jee Bahar AayeeShemaroo
The movie had several solos by Lata Mangeshkar, like this song 'Dekho Jee Bahar Aayee' and 'Kitni Jawan Hai Raat Koi Yaad.'
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Song: Na Bole Na Bole Na Bole ReShemaroo
Lata Mangeshkar sang around 248 of Ramchandra's compositions, including this song 'Na Bole Na Bole Na Bole Re.'
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Song: Kitna Haseen Hai MausamShemaroo
Lata Mangeshkar even sang a couple of duets with the talented composer. This movie, too, has a duet by Ramchandra and Lata Mangeshkar titled ‘Kitna Haseen Hai Mausam.’
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Ramchandra's signature style comes across in the song 'O Baabu Saab O Mem Saab'. This song from the movie Talaq (1958) has melody and catchy lyrics that could easily make a listener hum to the tune.
Song: Bigul Baj Raha...Kehni Hai Ek BaatShemaroo
In this movie, Ramchandra has presented a wide range of emotions through his compositions. This patriotic song 'Bigul Baj Raha...Kehni Hai Ek Baat.' is among the list.
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Song: Mere Jeevan Mein Kiran BankeShemaroo
The romantic number 'Mere Jeevan Mein Kiran Banke' is another pleasant composition from this movie.
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Song: Dukhiyon Pe Koii Raham KaroShemaroo
This sad song 'Dukhiyon Pe Koii Raham Karo' from Talaq depicts the miserable lives of young orphans.
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Ramchandra's career was at its peak in the 1950s. Apart from Hindi movies, he also composed music for Marathi, Tamil, Telugu, and Bhojpuri movies. He launched his production house, New Sai Productions, which released films like Jhanjhar (1953), Lehren (1953), Duniya Gol Hai (1955), and two Marathi movies Dhananjay (1966) and Gharkul (1970).
Avid music lovers can explore this genius's life in detail through his autobiography, The Symphony of My Life (Majhya Jeevanachi Sargam / माझ्या जीवनाची सरगम in Marathi) in 1977. To sum it up, the treasure of music that Ramchandra has left behind will be cherished for generations.
