This BLOG is about the Past of Hindi Films Specially Black and White Cinema We will refresh your memories by bringing out forgotten or unseen songs and clippings of film scenes We will try to give you as much information as we gather from our research.
This Blog was started as a one-man’s passion for film history but has now become an addiction for many music lovers who are equally passionate about Hindi films
Vasant Desai (9 June1912–22 Dec 1975) used to say“I don’t care. I don’t make songs for Binaca Geetmala [or] for sales or popularity. I make it for my character and that particular situation in my film as conceived by my director. People will remember my songs because it will become part of their life."
He was groomed by V Shantaram. At the age of 16, he wanted to be an actor, so he came to Kolhapur and one of hisuncles took him to Shantaram at Prabhat.Studio. He was kept as an office boy. Young Vasant's job was to take chits in for Shantaram. For about eight months, he worked without pay. He was given a few acting roles in Marathi films. He also sang a few songs in the films and gave the background music in many Marathi films. V Shantaram gave him 'Shakuntala'(1943) as an independent music director. His compositions likeAe Malik Tere Bande Ham from Do Aankhen Barah Haath and Hum Ko Mun Ki Shakti Dena from Guddi(1971) have become permanent prayer in schools
Hissongs enjoy a cult status in Maharashtra with “Ghanshyam Sundaraa” occupying the top slot. Amey opines, “Desai’s smooth transitions from mukhdas (openings) to antras (stanzas) and the use of the chorus is an absolute delight.” Listen to his evergreen Rafi-Lata duet “Sabko Pyar Ki Pyaas” (“Pyar ki Pyaas”) or Hemant-Lata’s “Nain so Nain Nahee Milaao” (“Jhanak Jhanak Payal Baaje”)
Devoted to V. Shantaram from his Prabhat days, Desai went along with the maestro when he broke away from Prabhat to form his own Rajkamal Studios. Scoring music for a majority of Shantaram’s films, Vasant’s career suffered a major blow when their relations soured in the late 1950s. Yet it is to his credit that even though they split after the recording of “Aadha Hai Chandrama” (later re-done by C. Ramchandra), he never ever spoke ill about “Anna” till his dying day.
Going through his long and enviable list of songs would be difficult but suffice to say that his memorable songs are valuable gems of musical heritage.
Bollywood film music composer, most remembered for his score in V. Shantaram films like Do Aankhen Barah Haath (1953), Jhanak Jhanak Payal Baaje (1955).He launched the play back singer, Vani Jairam with the song, Bole re papihara in Guddi (1971).Desai created an equally powerful bhajan “Humko Man Ki Shakti Dena” into a nationwide school prayer through Vani’s vocals. Born on 9th June 1912into a wealthy family in Sonawade village,Maharashtra,started his career with the famous Prabhat Film Company since it started making talkies. He acted, sang, and sometimes composed songs in Prabhat's films like Dharmatma and Sant Dnyaneshwar. He scored music for a majority of V. Shantaram's films when the latter broke away from Prabhat to form his own film studio.He was one of the leading Music Director of Marathi films.Veteran Marathi film music director and Desai’s creative mentor Keshavrao Bhosle in his memoirs “Maazzhe Sangeet” applauds Desai for many such firsts as well as introduction of echo in sound recording in India Going through his long and enviable list of songs would be difficult but suffice to say that his memorable songs are valuable gems of musical heritage.Here are some of my favorite.
