Dec 13, 2006 08:08 PM
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Manohari Singh fondly addressed as ‘Manoharida’ or ‘Dada’ by the music and film fraternity is undoubtedly a living legend. Born in 1931 he is better known as India’s greatest saxophone player. Manohari Singh was closely associated with music wizard R D Burman right from his first film ‘Chote Nawab’ till his last ‘1942 A Love Story’ as his main music assistant and arranger. “ It was the best phase of my life with so many lovely memories. Working with Pancham was a memorable experience and I consider myself very fortunate to have been so closley associated with him ”, says the veteran with a twinkle in his eye. Dada has also played the saxophone for several popular hindi film songs like Gata rahe mera dil, Aao huzoor, Tumhe yaad hoga, Aaji rootkar tum, Dil tera diwana hai sanam, Achcha toh hum chalte hain, Raat akeli hai, Roop tera mastana, O hansini, Gulabi aankhen among others. Born in Kolkata in a family of musicians, Manohari Singh watched his father and uncle play in music studios for films and in night-clubs. After trying his hand at the English key flute the clarinet and the mandolin, Manohari Singh finally chose the saxophone as his forte. He started off playing at the prestigious Calcutta Symphony Orchestra way back in the 1950’s. He found a friend and guide in ace musician Salil Chaudhary, who finally brought him to Mumbai in 1958. His first break was under the baton of S D Burman for the movie Sitaron se aage (1958). Since then there has been no looking back for this genius. He along with musician Basudev Chakravorty teamed as composers and scored music for films likeSabse Bada Rupaiya and Chatpati . He also has also to his credit an album titled ‘Sax Appeal’ containing saxophone renditions of various music tracks. Manoharida is very possessive about his gold-plated Selmer saxophone and likes to keep it neat and clean. “ I bought it from New York in 1969 and is my most cherished possession. I handle it very carefully trying to avoid finger prints on it. It is very dear to me,” he quips. While others of his time have bid goodbye to their craft Dada recently played the saxophone in films like Chalte Chalte and Veer Zaara. Even at the ripe age of seventy five Manohari Singh performs regularly on stage and receives a thunderous applause each time he plays the saxophone. “ I have a positive outlook in life and I firmly believe that one should keep doing what one does best and leave the rest to almighty. Moreover music is not only my passion it is what motivates me ”. he says with an infectious smile.
