Salil Da, as he is known, is a musical genius. Many of his compositions were a mystical blend of the Indian and Western classical music. He always said that his genre is one which will transcend borders and will be emphatic. He was an equally good poet and a story writer and also very good music arranger, a rare combination, which he confessed, confused him many a time.Salil Da’s love for Western classical started when he was a young boy living in the tea gardens of Assam. The source being, a large number of records and gramophone of an Irish doctor. The song “ Mausam Beeta Jaye” from his maiden hindi film “Do Bigha Zameen” was based on the famous red army marching song. Another famous composition “Itna Na Mujhse Tu Pyaar Badha” from the film “Chhaya” was based on Mozart’s Symphony No. 40.
Salil Da’s mastery over the Indian classical & folk music was remarkable. Compositions for the 1958 Dilip Kumar starrer “ Madhumati” are easily the most breathtaking music ever created in the history of Indian cinema. The rare gems of his melodious creations in Maaya, Kabuliwala, Rajnigandha, Anand and Mausam are some of my favorites. One of them being a song from film Maya “Ja Re Udhja Re Panchhi” , which remains to be my all time favorite. None other than Lata Mangeshkar, could have done justice to that composition.
Salil Da’s Genre was unique and has left a lasting impression on the people of his generation and beyond.
Music of Mausam was not composed by Salilda.
ReplyDeleteYou are right..Madan Mohan was the composer, but as Madan Mohan died early, the background score and arranging were done by Salil Da. Thanks for point this.
ReplyDeleteThere are no 2 opinions on the fact that he indeed is one of the icons of the Indian Music as well as Indian Film industry.
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