Why Laxmikant Pyarelal?
Only last week Himesh Reshmiya admitted during Sa Re Ga Ma Pa show on TV that his music of Tere Naam) was inspired by Laxmikant Pyarelal. I am sure many other music directors have taken inspiration from them. LP, as this team was popularly known, has scored music for more than 300 films! They worked with some of the biggest names and gave us some memorable music.
What others have said so far?
We all know 20 songs are not easy to select. Some really good ones are bound to miss out. I did some search on the net and most articles that I came across had said virtually similar things. I also read some of the reviews about LP that other members have written. Many have covered the topic in depth. I have taken inspiration from all these sources and I have presented here what I liked.
Laxmikant Kulalkar
Laxmikant was born on the Laxmi Poojan day of Diwali in 1937. He spent his childhood amidst dire poverty in the slums of Vile-Parle. It was here that some street-side toy music instruments vendor was playing the harmonica(mouth organ, something new then). He purchased one of those and later in life; he was also impressed by the mandolin. He used to play on street functions and mesmerise people with his art. Laxmi learnt mandolin from well known player Bal Mukund Indorker. He also learnt violin from none other than Husnalal of the popular duo of Music directors Husnalal Bhagatram. Laxmikant was barely 10 years old!
Pyarelal Sharma
Pyarelal R. Sharma was born on September 3, 1940. He was the son of a renowned trumpeter Pt. Ramprasad Sharma. Pt. Ramprasad had an in-depth knowledge of most musical instruments and the ways in which they were played.
Pandit Ramprasad was a guru for an overwhelming number of people ranging from slum dwelling children to great maestros. A few names would be Pt. Hridaynath Mangeshksar, Uttam Singh, Surendra Sodhi, Anu Malik, Zarine Daruwala, Mahavir Prasad, and of course Laxmikant-Pyarelal.
Pyarelal learnt his music basics from his father and later went on to learn the violin from a Goan teacher Mr. Anthony Gonsalves. Pyarelal started to play the violin when he was eight years. By the age of 12, his family's financial condition forced him to earn money by playing in studios. Pyarelal then used to frequent visiting and playing the violin in studios such as Ranjit Studios. In Shor for the song Ek Pyar Ka Nagma – the violin is played by Pyarelal himself.
Laxmikant Pyarelal – What a team!
Sometimes Pyarelal used to be indulged in playing cricket on the ground after working in the studio with the other people. On one of these occasions, Laxmikant came and asked them whether he could join in, and everyone agreed. That's how Laxmikant and Pyarelal first met.
As a player for other music directors they got enough to put food on the table but they had determination and will to do better. It is not easy to get out of ones comfort zone. Slowly, they got an opportunity to play for music directors Kalyanji Anandji in 1953. Once during the absence of Kalyanji Anandji’s regular arranger Sebastian D’Souza Pyarelal got the opportunity to be arranger for one of the songs. Pyarelal showed unusual prowess in this. From then they became the assistants of Kalyanji Anandji.
Laxmikant and Pyarelal besides having been musicians, arranged music for many composers such as for S. D. Burman in'Ziddi' and for good friend R. D. Burman in is very first film'Chhote Nawab'. Although the first released film that credited Laxmikant-Pyarelal as Music Directors was Babubhai Mistry's mythological B-Grader Parasmani released in 1962, Laxmikant and Pyarelal faithfully remained assistant music directors to Kalyanji Anandji right till 1966-67
When their struggle was not getting them anywhere at one stage Pyarelal had even decided to leave India and go to Venice to play for symphony orchestras, similar to his colleague Zubin. Laxmikant discouraged him from doing this. Imagine if Laxmikant had not succeeded in persuading Pyarelal!
Songs that I liked
Following is my list of 20 songs. It is by no means complete and I am already feeling that some good ones have missed out.
1. Mere mehboob qayamat hogi MR.X IN BOMBAY Singer: Kishore. Even today this song has a special effect on listeners.
2. Hansta Hua Noorani ChehraPARASMANI Singers: Lata Mangeshkar & Kamal Barot, Lyrics: Asad Bhopali.
Even kids those days liked this song. The tune was so catchy.
3. Ek Do Teen… TEJAAB Singer: Alka Yagnik, Lyrics: Javed Aktar.
A school principal in Gwalior said, “This song makes our life easy because all new students already know how to count”.
4. Jane Se Uske Aaye Bahar JEENE KI RAAH Singer: Mohd. Rafi
This song was a hit. One of the movies where Jeetendra was not a jumping jack - but was still liked.
5. Achha To Hum Chalte Hain AAN MILO SAJNA Singers: Lata & Kishore, Lyrics: Anand Bakshi.
Who can forget this song from that era? Well I can not.
6. Ajnabi Tum Jane Pehchane Se HUM SAB USTAD HAIN Singer: Kishore Kumar.
Very well rendered song of Kishore. It is an evergreen song.
7. Bindia Chamkegi DO RAASTE Singer: Lata Mangeshkar.
Rajesh Khanna was on top and girls used to marry his with his picture. What a beautiful song.
8. Chabi Kho Jaye BOBBY Singer: Lata Mangeshkar & Shailendra Singh.
Raj Kapoor and LP what a combination and what a lovely music!
9. Chaahoonga Main Tujhe DOSTI Singer: Mohd. Rafi.
I was a small kid and all in the hall were crying during this movie. We hid our tears and boasted that we were man enough not to cry!
10. Chithi Aayee Hai Watan se NAAM Singer: Pankaj Udhas.
Still touches my heart.
11. Ek Pyar Ka Naghma Hai SHOR Singer: Lata Mangeshkar & Mukesh.
Violin was very well played by Payarelal himself.
12. Mere Dil Main Aaj Kya Hai DAAG Singer: Kishore Kumar.
This song was theme song of the story of Daag. A new film and first of YashRaj films. Yash for Yash Chopra and Raj is from Rajesh Khanna. I hope Rajesh still gets his share from this banner.
13. Ruk Jana Nahin Tum IMTIHAN Singer: Kishore Kumar.
Inspiring number and still well liked.
14. Satyam Shivam Sundaram SATYAM SHIVAM SUNDARAM Singer: Lata Mangeshkar, Lyrics: Pt. Narendra Sharma
One of the songs where voice of Lata takes this song to dizzy heights.
15. Sawan Ka Mahina MILAN Singer: Lata Mangeshkar & Mukesh.
Another song that has remained in memory for ever.
16. Hum Bane Tum Bane EK DUJE KE LIYE Singer: Lata Mangeshkar.
This movie has some very good numbers from LP– truly good music.
17. Khushi Ki Who Raat DHARI KAHE PUKAR KE Singer: Mukesh
Not so popular now but had its appeal when it first came.
18. Aaa Jaane Jaan INTEQAAM Singer: Lata,
Excellent use of voice of Lata - a song to remember and well liked by all.
19. Firki Wali RAAJA AUR RUNK Singer: Mohd. Rafi
The song has excellent tempo. WordS are a bit ordinary but music is top.
20. Jab Jab Bahar Ayee TAQDEER Singer: Mohd. Rafi
Another good use of Violin in this movie. Very touching songs from this film.
These are only some songs that I picked. There are heaps more. Thanks for reading and please give your comments.
