He defied the traditional force of film gravity and took South Indian music to the North. He gained acceptance among Hindi audiences despite not knowing the language himself. He created music with the best of the west. As a true child of liberalisation (Roja was made in 1991), he democratised music by rendering the monopolists obsolete. He uncorked a fresh, unending torrent of talent, and unleashed the kind of voices and sounds never before heard.
And he has done it all like Sachin Tendulkar, without once putting a foot wrong.
For a man of such singular talent, is Allah Rakha Rahman India’s greatest ever film music composer ever? Greater than Ilayaraja and M.S. Viswanathan, S.D. Burman and R.D. Burman, Laxmikant and Pyarelal? And is Oscar night, 22 February 2009, going to be the most important night of his life?
churumuri 
The greatest. By any standards.
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Uh oh. just you wait, till the crazies get here! :)
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No denying AR Rahman is one of the finest, but its too early to term him the greatest. SD survived 50 years, I am not sure Rahman’s music will survive that long. Only time can answer that.
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One of the greatest for sure.:)But not above any .
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most renowned? yes
Most internationally acclaimed? yes
Greatest Indian composer? Hmmmmm…. I mean those names on the list…. If Rahman is great, it is only because he is standing on the shoulders of those titans, and they themselves are standing on the shoulders of the very gods among composers (our classical greats of course).
That doesn’t of course take away one inch from his music.
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If not the greatest, he certainly is up there as one of the best. His music has always had a very unique quality to it, which others have struggled to achieve as consistently, if at all.
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One of the top 5, not yet the best. Lost a lot of respect for him after Slumdog.
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NO. Best would be Naushad, SD Burman, OP Nayyar, Anil Biswas and Shankar Jaikishan.
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The best of the memorable numbers being hummed even today or recycled were composed by Pancham.
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it’s going to take time to answer that question.
people still sing chura liya. or thenpandi cheemayile. let’s see if five years later people remember pappu can’t dance.
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Hi,
There is no technology used by R.D.Burman and is changing from times.
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swalpa iri swamy,
G K venkatesh , mysooru ananthswamy composition yaavudaralli kadime. this idea of greatest music director is a ploy to promote a english movie.
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Yes! If not the best, Rehaman is one among the greatest of Indian film music composers. He has composed songs those are 100 times better than “Jai ho”.
Anyhow Oscar is a purely a commercial award, which generally are given to big budget English movies made by the westerners, in order to help them in getting box-office collections in their re-release post Oscars. Likewise the Nobel Peace award (popularly known in India as the award denied to Mahatma Gandhi) is highly political.
So one need not bother about these “Asker” awards. Rehaman is more talented than many monotonous & ‘pale’ musicians given “Asker” awards all through its past.
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Shouldnt the question read ” Is ARR the greatestmusic composer ever in Indian cinema”- Even then it’s a stupid question that only men will ask and quarrel over!
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I don’t care much for Rehman’s music, partly because I am not used to it and liking something has its beginnings in getting well acquainted it.
What caught my eye among these posts is the one by Dr. Ramesh. He is back, but he is not selling the Gowda family. We are happy for both reasons.
It is a shame that Tarlesubba has gone silent; AG has disappeared; DB rarely writes; Vibhootipudi has gone missing from cyberspace; Mriganayani isn’t here anymore to defend URA. I hope they will all come back just like our dental Dhanwanthari.
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gyabakka, films andre ashTu tiraskaara yaake?
check this out.
the visuals are good by themselves. but think about what the music is doing to the experience of the scene.
(my greatest desire is to see karvalo like this. imagine the expedition trudging through the eechala bayalu and the camera follows them – hand held. that drama in that episode in the book is burnt in my mind)
films, music and songs are our means. and when it comes to music in indian cinema, even ARR would be hardpressed to match the work and genius of illayaraja. devaru aata. check out the scores in accident.
but the coolest music in ka movies … actually in any indian film. i have seen so far has got to be bhaskar chandavarkar in ondanondu kaaladalli. the most awesomest thing about him in that movie is that he had the sense and balls to use silence exactly when required. awesome stuff. watch it. listen to the sounds in that movie.
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Hope he is able get a residence in Bombay unlike Shabana asmi’ who claims that in India it is difficult for Muslims to buy a house!!
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drrrr Ramesh,
Common man. On your return from Himalayas we least expecte this from you. By the way who are the people you mentioned?
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Great ? Yes. Greatest ? Nope…
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Three cheers to A R Rehman. He has made India great by winning two ocars. He is the first Indian to get the orcar. He has scored music in Tamil, Telugu and Hindi. But, he never tried in Kannada firm industry. Hope he will find time to compose music in Kannada also. All the best ARR
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A R Rahman is rocking. This guy is instrumental in putting India on the world map viz-a-viz music.
He really is a genius.
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Attegondu kaala sosegondu kaala…. Times changeagutte nodi..
As Tathagatha wisely says…only Time will tell.
I have kept a MP3 of Kishoreda in my car for the last 3 years…and havent found a reason to change it yet…all songs sung and composed
20 years before I was born! Now that is called standing the test of time.
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ar rahman is good and the above mentioned are also good with due respect. let us stop comparing and respect each individual on there plus points.
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Every musician is unique. He has his own style and his own fan following. But we as Indians should appreciate and encourage this manninana maga..for understanding what the audience(global and domestic) are looking for.
We see pure classical performances being performed in partially filled halls. Is this not great music. Of course it is. But what Rahman has done is, he has tuned his music in tandem with the pulse of the audience.
The opening score of Slumdog, where the children run into the slums lest they get caught by the police, is really catchy. It sets the tone for the whole movie.
I am sure the oldies will call Naushad or RD burman as better. I dont say no, but Rahman is a guy who mixes so many instruments and creates magic. He is just the best.
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Bisithuppa
Kishore kumar singer maaraya, composer alla. Illi Yaaru best composer anta kelthiradu.
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TS anna,
All I was doing hair splitting on the nomenclature of the title- otherwise the poor man would be competing against Amir Khusrau, Thyagaraja, Rabindranath Tagore, Salil Choudhury , Ilayaraja etc and the countless artistes of the folk tradition . No offense at all to Indian Film music which has after provided so many sublime moments and it’s good to see ARR recieve the Oscar in such a sporting spirit. The ugly thing now would be an Indian Governmnet falling all over to give the poor man a Padma Bhushan or Vibhushan if not the Bharat Ratna.
Spot on regarding Bhaskar Chandavarkar in Ondanondu Kaladalli- I ve felt the same about BV Karanth in Chomana Dudi.
Jilebi mama, FYI GK Venkatesh was the Film Music composer where Ilayaraja trained and it was in IR’s troupe that ARR was keyboardist. The giants on whose shoulders ARR now stands.
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Julaabi,
They were cool music directors like AR Rehman.
AR Rehman mentions in his interviews that he learnt a lot by working with Illaiyaraaja and Illaiyaraaja has similarly worked and learnt from GK Venkatesh. So there.
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Rehman is definitely the greatest mainstream/film music composer from India. Slumdog is definitely not his best work; that accolade will have to go to his debut, Roja. And I am certain that the tunes of Roja are still popular today, so are his compositions from Alaipayuthey and Kandukondein…
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Music is about managing noise to make melody with rhythm. I don’t think anyone, bar RD Burman and Ilayaraja, has done it as consistently as AR Rahman has done it.
For people who say his music hasn’t stood test of time, I still have his Roja music on my car. It’s almost 18 years now.
Typically we tend to mix up songs with music. Songs have two other components to it – Lyrics and singability. A lot of Rahman’s songs/music isn’t singable easily. But, if you rate him purely on music composition, I believe AR Rahman doesn’t have peers in India. His sense of symphony and rhythm is unmatched.
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Welcome back TS and Dr Ramesh!
>> the most awesomest thing about him in that movie is that he had the sense and balls to use silence exactly when required.
Ditto about TR Mahalingam, the great flautist. His pauses somehow multiplied the quality of his renderings manifold. Same with Palghat Mani , who knew exactly when not to play the mridanga.This is probably the same as the concept behind shoonya(zero),increasing the value of something using nothing.
endaro mahanubhavulu!
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Whether Rahman.s song was the best is not the issue but at least it opens those in the Oscar Academy to vibe with Indian idiom instead of straitjacketing themselves to the Western mores as a reference frame for judging Indian films and songs, At least it now it appears they have woken up from their slumber to reality and expanded their horizon Hopefully it will pave the way for other equally great productions to be recognised on their intrinsic merits
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After seeing Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon get an Oscar for best film, I have nothing to say about ARR winning the Oscar…But comparing him to SDB,RDB, Naushad is stretching it too far. The greatness and popularity of a composer can be gauged by how long his compositions last, by that standard, SDB,RDB, Naushad, Salil Chaudary, Madan Mohan are great music directors and not ARR.
My 2 cents worth
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A.R. Rahman could be compared to Panchamda in using technology, innovative tunes to break from the past.Yet both could compose lilting melodies based on Classical Ragas like a Illayaraja , a Naushad or a S.D. Burman .Where Rahman scores over RDB is in use of fresh voices.He alone has introduced more new voices than all other composers put together! His use Of Unnikrishnan’s voice for Shankar’s ‘Kadalan’ in the song’ Ennavale.. gives amazing results as it uses Unnikrishnan’s ability to modulate voice and knowledge of Carnatic classical music.
But ARR will be known as the first Indian to win an oscar for music and will rank amidst such greats as Henry Mancini who scored for Dr. Zhivago.
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The Greatest in no particular order are Vijaybhaskar, G K Venkatesh, Rajan-Nagendra and Hamsalekha. Hamsalekha in fact, is perhaps the only composer anywhere in India who also pens his own lyrics routinely and has won awards for both lyrics and music. From a “..nimbe haNNinantha hudugi bantu nODO…” to the divinity of a ‘Ganayogi Panchakshari Gawayi’ his versatility is unsurpassed by anybody in India and possibly in the world. Not to mention he’s also one of the most prolific of all time. A. R. Rehman for all his talents, is over-hyped.
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Yeah…but AR got his oscar for slumdog…. That’s an insult.
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sisya,
You have left out Ravichandran. He has arranged music for some movies. And also “kala samrat” S. Narayan. Who else? Shivanna? I know he sings well and has kogile kaNTa. Does he compose music as well?
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can someone explain to me why the english media use the oscars as standard to even make a public debate about this.Isnt this a reflection of the elitist feudal dhimmi attitude hiding under a fashionable herd mentality of many commenters.Art is very subjective.And there are people who believe even akid can paint better than MFH but marketing by our great english media is what has made him a celebrity.Nudism of only hindu goddesses and pornographic content is being touted as great art for political motives the same propaganda marketing machinery
Does the western world needs to certify greatness of indian musicians.Any INdian musician
would have been a highly probable candidate because of the movie slumdog itself which had all the ingredients to receive several nominations just like gandhi in 82 both of which were made by an Englishman and had the usual fashionable statement ingredient that is the darling of the arty kind.Does that mean AR rehman is better than shanker jaikishan whose prolificity and yet melodious quality was
created without any modern technology like ARR’s.
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Sisya, you must be joking. Etthana hamsa, etthana Lekha?
Between the time Jikki and T. M Soundararajan sang and now there absolutely has been no decent Kannada film music. Fusion, stolen tunes from any part of the globe is our song. Kannada audiences don’t see movies as an art form. As long as they provide a moment’s distraction, it is enough for us. The music barely enhances whatever third rate theme a movie is shrieking out and we are perfectly happy with the banality of the likes of “Mungaaru Male.” And to think that the patriarch of the Singaanallur Paalegar family came to receive awards for his singing, when his acting should have been banned.
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Samrat Pulikeshi,
…And to think that the patriarch of the Singaanallur Paalegar family …
Excellent Sar!!
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Sisya – Baeda kananna. Asambhadda maathaadabaeda. Howdu, GKV anthaavru iddaru – sariyaada sanmaana sigalilla. adakkaenu maadakkaaguthe eega? I think you should let ARR have his moment of glory. Ee thara maataadthaa iddare, innoo gaeleege eedaagtheera ashte.
nimma blog karnatique noedide chennagide. allinda kelavu laekhanagalanna churumuri antha sitege kooda kalisi. kelavanna publish maadthaare. nimma message jaasthi janakke reach aaguthe. adanna bitbittu kevala ee thara baere avara bagge comment maadthaa koothidre aaguthye.
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What I have admired about ARR is how he has “adjusted” to bollywood by decreasing levels of tamilness in his hindi compositions – which was jarring in some of is initial hindi compositions.
Pulikeshi – I have admired many of your comments. Today, I must sort of accept you as a true kannadiga – some one who is so harsh on and unrelenting in one’s own criticism. I must say I was quite surprised by your extreme assessment.
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All said and done, a dravidian, a true son of the soil, has been raised to a pedestal where no Indian musician has ever reached.
Many Many congratulations to ARR for being so humble, so polite and down to earth among all others. It reflects his character. And above all he was very humble and praised God and spoke about his mother in the speech.
And if you noticed he was the only winner who did not greet the lady with a cheek kiss(I dont know whether it matters). He looked quite majestic.
This guy is a winner all the way.
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Ashoka, just curious. What are your thoughts on Subramanya Bharathi?
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yes yes yes nd only yes. A R is d best of all time.
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ayyo ayyo ayyo…..some white people sing the praises of our man and there’s no limit to the height of the atta where we put him.
Seriously, ARR is good, maybe the best of the current crop, but most certainly not the best ever.
An Oscar is no recognition of quality, just as a blog is no recognition of wisdom.
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“Singanallur palegar family”.. sorry for my ignorance but i didnt get the reference.. heLuvantavaraagutteera ?
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Like every one else, I too proud of A R Reheman for getting OSCAR. But he can not be compared with greats like O P Nayyar, S D Burman, R D Burman, Shankar Jaikishan, Naushad, Ilaiyyaraja etc. All the composers mentioned are above the OSCAR or any award.
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In the middle of all this mindless hype, one voice stands for reason. Sisya I applaud your post and I would like to simply say ‘Rega-Maan’ is only a KK or keyboard Konga! Every time I hear his music it makes me cringe with embarrassment for the shallowness of his insincere music effort!
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Only a few of Rahman’s songs like Pappu can’t Dance, rangeela,piya haji ali(fixa), yeh haseen wadiya(roza) have pleased me so far. yet I am surprised that people call him the best ever Indian composer and director( far better than Shankar Mahadevan,Anand Milind,Jatin-Lalit,Lakshmikant Pyarelal,RD Burman), just because he got OSCAR, apurely commercial award with no actual significance to the world of music and films. I will give a list of just 10 songs not composed by AR Rahman but 100 times better than his O Saaya or Maasakali. Listen to them once whole, you will forget AR rahman the crap in moments.
1) Main tera Aashiq Hoon(Gumraah)
2) Gazab ka Hain Din(Quayamat se Quayamat Tak)
3) Pehla Nesha (Jo Jita woh sikander)
4) Suraj Hua Madhyam (K3G)
5) yeh Pyasi Mohabbat(Gupt)
6) Jungle Hain Aadhi raat Hain( Biwi No:1)
Now, if someone has heard these songs, tell me here honestly what makes you or so many Indians approve AR Rahman as the best.
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Pl.do not insult greats like RDB,SDB,SJ,MM etc by comparing them with AAR.Oscrs or not,ARR has still along way to go to catch up with the timeless melodies of those mentioned above. Just sit back and savour the moment but do not get carried away.
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AR Rahman’s conscience would know that he is not good like the legends. Oscar academy wanted to increase the viwership in India and thats why he got this award. Anyone who says this song ‘Jai Ho’ is the best, check your knowledge of music.
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I have one complaint against ARRs music. They don’t have a recall factor.I saw Delhi-6 as recent as 3 days ago and I can’t remember one damn song ..except the masakali (which anyway was overplayed in radio/tv).
He is all sound and no melody is my umble opinion!
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B. Basappa–
The reference is to the actor variously eulogised as “meru nata,” “varanata,” “Kannadigara aaraadhya daiva,” “natasaarvabhouma,” “Kannada kanmani”–you get the idea.
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AR is certainly the best of the present era, and has successfully filled part of the vacuum left by RDB . He has revolutionised Indian Film Music which was in the pits when he burst on the scene. But RDB’s contributions, since the 1970’s smack in the middle of some of the best years (golden era) of Indian music would appear to be the greater – first because of the competition at the time , second because the advanced computer technology and electronic wizardry so evident in Rahman’s work and which he uses to great advantage was not even available at the time and third because he defied tradition while maintaining his roots in a much less liberal period. Rahman the Greatest Ever? We will see….he is still young and has many years to go. His talent and innovation is indisputable as is the quality of his work….and there is no doubt he has composed outstanding music superior to his Oscar winning work in Slumdog. Roja, Taal. Lagaan etc have pieces that would have made even RDB or SDB proud to have created and he will certainly go down in history as one of the Greatest ever. Let”e leave it at that..
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AR is good, very good. But he simply cannot be compared to the greats of yesteryears ie ShankarJaikishan, LaxmikantPyrelal, Naushad, RD Burman etc. These geniuses composed for 100’s of films, over decades. AR has a LONG way to go before he can match them for sheer longevity. In addition, one has just to listen to the incredible varying styles of the old masters and AR’s achievements really wane into insignificance. I marvel at the amazing complex orchestration of SJ and LP coupled with the changes of rhythms mid song from drums switching to tabla’s and then back again. In addition, todays technology makes composing hell of a lot easier for even amateurs – something that was not possible in the 60’s and 70’s. I saw AR live – and to be frank, was quite disappointed.
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ar rahman only the name tells his music.i am a great fan of him
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pulikeshi the last , seem to hate anything and everything even remotely connected to kannada and kannadigas.
if u have heard his rendition of DEVI STOTRA –IN KAVIRATHNA KAALIDAASA , SONGS IN BHAKTA PRAHLADA, SONGS ON GURU RAAGHAVEDRA, probably better sense would have prevailed on u.
keep going u will get there one day.
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Ramesappa,
Angella anbedi swami. Kannada kannadigarannu bittare nanage berenu illa. Neevu nimma raajakumaarana haadu keLi sukhavaagiri.
Devegowda rashtrapathi, Kumaraswaamy ministru aadaaga, neevu namma deshada aarogya sachivaru aagli antha nanna haraike. Jai bhuvaneshwari.
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Ppl,
Please visit http://www.itwofs.com/. Many bloggers patiently list down the “inspirations” behind a lot of Indian film songs.
The respect for RDB,SDB, SJ does come down a few notches after reading/listening to these pieces.
Awesome site!!
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A R Rahman is no doubt the best amongst his comtemporaries.
However , his success is a marketing success.
In my View R D Burman’s spectrum was 360 degrees, where as Rehaman has just managed to touch only a few of the genres that RD did.
RD created musical sounds , Rehman is using musical sounds now readily available.
Rahman score over RD only in one aspect. Confidence. Rahman knows that he is a genius. RD did not know that he was the best.
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You cannot say which art is “best” or “worst” . It can only be tasteful and distasteful. However I can say that Naushad, RDB , SDB , Salil Choudhury , Madan Mohan , SJ , et.al. had the typical “desi” touch to music. ARR seems more like modern pop song. Well thats me again…
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Dear All,
If winning awards is the only criterion to gauge the sheer talent of a musician, then among all Indian composers SHANKAR-JAIKISHAN stands far ahead of any other. They scored music in around 175 to 180 films in a span of about 22 years and received maximum number of film fare awards i.e. 9 times. They were the receipient of the award for best music score for Bootpolish at Canne Film festival long back in 50s when the technology was comparatively much poor to today’s. They are the first ever Indian composers globally known for their sheer brilliance in the music arena. Be it former USSR or middle east or even USA where one of their songs “Jaan-pehchaan ho, jeena aasaan ho” sung by late Mohd. Rafi for film Gumnaam was taken as it is in a film Ghost World in Hollywood. Of course they didn’t bag oscar but the era itself was quite different from today’s. In that period Indian movies were not so frequently screened world wide plus they never worked with any foreign director in any english movie, which is the first and foremost criterion of fetching oscar. Long back they used to charge hefty 10 lakh rupees as their fee to score music in a film, far ahead of not only of their contemporaries but also of todays’ composers if gold standard is considered as the basis to gauge changes in the price level over the years since then to now. And last but not the least, they built image of many actors and characters through their magical musical scores. Raj Kapoor, Shammi Kapoor and Rajendra Kumar, known as Jubilee Kumar because of their time less music, which transcended the Indian boundary and spreaded over across the world, just a few to name. Ali Akbar Khan, a noted sarod palyer has quoted in one of his blogs that A R Reham had copied some of his songs from the scores of Shankar-Jaikishan. He cited the example of ‘chal chhaiya chhaiya’, which was copied from SJ’s ‘ramaiya vasta vaiya’ while ‘muqabla-muqabla’ is the copy of SJ’s ‘pyar hua iquerar hua’ fro “Chori-Chori.” And surprisingly not only Rehman but most of the of music composers of present generation are the ardent fans of shankar-jaikishan but not ARR. Maximum no. of songs they pick from this most prolific composer duo. Be it Kalyan Ji-Anand Ji or laxmikant Pyarelal, in some of the cases even R D Burman of yester years while among today’s composers Anu Malik or Himesh Reshamiya or others as wel, who consider SJ’s work as the bench mark of Hindi Film Music. He also stands no where in front of Shankar-jaikishan i.e. sense of lyric. The doyen of classical vocal in Hindi Film Music Manna Dey, once in his interview said that A R Rehman is good at the use of technology but his sense of poetry and lyric is not at par. This was not true with Shankar-Jaikishan. many of their songs are not known only for the gedgets they used but also for the quality of poetry or lyric. way back in the year 1970, they peroformed at a three day live concert at Shanmukha nand hall, Mumbai for the Indian Navy, a magical 7 digit amount was collected from the show.
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Hii.,
Pl guys start listing to some western music.. u wil decide if ARR work is completely original or not..
Hez gaining advantage bcoz the people dont knw wats original and plagarised work.. hmmm
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ARR is Great
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Absolutely no! ARR is not the greatest indian composer.The greatest indian composer whom i have ever heard is the “great master NAUSHAD ALI”.His compositions will last for many thousands of years undoubtly.he is the person whom brought many innovations in indian film music.he was the composer who first time used the western orchestration in indian film music like piano accordian,spanish guitar,chakalow,kavvaz,western drums,clarinet etc.he was the first composer to use flute,sarod,saarangi,sitar etc in indian film music.i am doubted that if there is any alternative song for his compositions like “ayee saavan ruth ayee”(Film;mela 1948) “tu ganga ki mauj”(film :baiju bawra 1952)etc.
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u r really superb sir
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A R Rahman is the greatest Music Composer India ever produced…No doubt in that…
I saw here a lot of peoples saying about S.D,R.D ,etc….But honestly saying, I never knew about these so called composers till some two years before. Ofcourse, I am from South part of India and if u go and tell these names there, majority will ask u back , who are they???
But everyone,whether its north or south or east or west of India, knows ARR and his music….Now the whole world recognized him….So think who is the best??
So just comeout of your orthodox mentality and say frankly that ARR is great than SD’s and RD’s..
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Hi pulikeshi,
stumbled across your post when i was looking for a translation of allama prabhu’s ethana maamaru –
if you can translate the complete vachana, or point out a link where a translation is available, pls oblige
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In my opinion, S.D.Burman is the best composer ever. Just look his contribution in Guide(1965), Aradhana(1969), Jewel Thief(1967), Abhimaan(1973), Sharmilee(1971), Jaal(1952), Saaza(1951), Baazi(1951), Pyassa(1957), Sujata(1959),Bandini(1963), Meri Surat Teri Aakhen(1962),Tere Ggar Ke Samne(1963), Teen Devian (1965), Devdas(1955), House No.44(1955) to name a few. And this list will go on. The music for his less known films like Miss India(1957), Jyoti (1969), Dr. Vidya(1962), Kaise Kahoon(1964), Naujawan(1951) are simply breath taking.Guide, Aradhana and Abhimaan will get place in top 5 Hindi musical ever. His contributions to the songs with Kishore Kumar, Mohd. Rafi, Hemant Kumar. Lata Mangeshkar, Asha Bhosle and Geeta Dutt are better than any one else in hindi film industry.
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best music directors of old generation
1) R.D. Burman
2)sankar jaikrishan
3)S.D. Burman
4)nausad
5)L.P
BEST MUSIC DIRECTOR NEW GENERATION
1)Nadeem shravan
2)Jatin Lalit
3)Anu malik
4)Anand Milind
5)A.R. Rahman
A.R. Rahman will regarded as a most over hypd music director in the history of indian music
THANKS
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it is pathetic that most of u deny the fact that rahman is greatest……now he has become the measuring scale for greatness in film music……..now what is left is pre rahman era—-rahman era—post rahman era in film music…..This how indian film music is considered…….Each and every one of the new music directors in south follow rahman and ilayaraja raja….in north they follow rahamn and rd burman……but after some days………they follow only rahman……he revolutionized indian film music……..all u idiots…..slumdog music was apt to the movie and its bgm and soundtrack was new to west …….it was best among all that nominated………listen to its total soundtrack not jus one song ……..when elephant walks dogs bark watching it….u people are like that……..more over all the other MDs couldn’t pass their language barriers properly and do well there……only rahman could do it…..he belong to indian film music industry ( not south not north)not like others…..please dont compare rahman with old sick people who have suppressed new talented singers in the industry and gave all the songs to the same singers again and again………dont u think that new singers were not available at that time……the way in which rahman gives credit to his fellow musicians, non of the other MDs have given…..they suppressed them and their talent…..can u tell one reason y? ilayaraja is out of business..after rahman entry ……..one idiot has written that he heard dilli 6 music and couldn’t remember any song except one…..re idiot…music illiterate ….dilli 6 is the filmfare winner of the years inspite the movie is flop…….rahman is global icon he has got larger than life image…….he stated his own music school KM and his motive behind is not commercial, it is perfectly for the upliftment of the indian film music to reach global audiance………non of the other MDs dared to do this kind of things……they confined them to their music……..and have not entered other styles……he mixed carnatic indian western..he is the perfect picture of india…….on independence day and republic day ….along with old patriotic songs, after 1997 rahmans vandematram became a new national anthem……i hear it every 10 min in all the tvs in all regional channels and national channels……background would be his music………most of the tv programmes his musical pieces are used….so many interviews……there were many movies on bhagat singh….but rahman made difference with his music……….he gave a new composition to rang de basanthi chola…….his music for rang de basanthi was un imaginable…..lagaan…beyond description……..technology is available….and one has to utilize it properly……and he is the master who taught indian film music industry about it…..ragas compositions rhythm patterns wee already there ……but his sound was different……….each movie was differently composed…..no repetition………fresh instrumentation ………fresh voices…….dont compare him with others…..others were great in only one aspect …..when u take it overall……..he is unique……..and only one……….
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The greatest music composer of India is Rabindranath Tagore. His creation only withstood the time.AR Rahaman can only be regarded as a good music composer in film industry. Does his song reflects iiternal truth, beauty,peace?
Does it reflect our daily life,subtle moments of life,little little feelings wich can only be expressed by lyrics. Does Rahaman has language along with lyrics which has ocean like depth filled with deep internal meaning? No probably not.
What Tagore created was unique. Anyway Tagore composed largest number of songs ever. I think next decade or two will forget Rahaman but Tagore will remain for ever.
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i thnk. ARR is the best. arr is famous all over the world & he makes a new type in music & it’s hugely popular but all selected the common way . his fock composition is unforgotable. and finaly his music matche with film hem
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Rahman is a over rated much hyped musician. Tell me which song of his has stood the test of time. He may have won many a awards for his various compositions but very few of them are outstanding. Secondly, his compositions (most of them ) have very little shelf life. They remain popular for a very small period of time and then forgotten for ever. Take for example songs of Delhi 6, then Jai-ho for which he won an oscar the list is pretty long. No doubt he is a talented and gifted musician but his compositions have very short life. Comparatively, R.D. Burman’s music compositions are still remembered. 80% of the remix songs are based on Burman’s composition even after two decades of his death.
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I dont consider Rahman as the greatest Hindi film music composer of India, that honour goes to Naushad, followed by RD Burman but Rahman can definitely be considered as the greatest musical talent these world has ever seen period . because his music excels in all styles and genres even north, south, world music no other can replicate his kind of music. His music is appreciated even internationally. He was doing international projects even before his slumdog fame and is also the most famous Indian and the only one that has done more international projects with international music artists than any other Indian musical talent he has certainly taking Indian music on International level. whereas the shelf life of his songs is concerned Roja, Bombay, Dil se, Rangeela, Lagaan, Rang de basanti and many tamil films like Iruvar, Sangamam, Puthiya mugam,Gentleman, Indian, Kundakonden , Kannathil mutthamittal these are the soundtracks which never will be forgotten they have gone down in history some of his soundtracks are considered worlds best like Roja , Bombay ,Lagaan just have a look at his wikipedia you people will know You will also find so many instances when his music has been copied by international artists
Dont judge musical talent based on only their bollywood repertoire Indian music has to expand and the people like rahman have to be appreciated and respected for what have done to indian music and their achievements rather than comparing them with others and passing judgements Indian musical talent has to appeciated internationally it is not just rahmans duty to do it but every musical talent has to strive for that but as far as i can see there is only Rahman all the way whose music has been taken seriously internationally
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Most people know that ar rahman converted to islam and also the story of his sisters illness but most dont know that his mother was muslim before marriage so after his fathers death rahmans inclination towards is natural so blaming rahman converting to islam is very unfair.
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If you rate Rahman as greatest, that means you have not heard Anil Biswas, Khemchndra Prakash, Naushad ,Hemantda, Khayyam, Roshan, S.D. and R.D Burman, O.P. Nayyar, Ilayarajaa, Shankar-Jaikishen, vasant deasi etc.
Rahman is no doubt very good; Greatest, ? No way.Because he got an oscar doesn’t make him the ‘greatest’;Naushad and Ilayrajaa come close to being the greatest.
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Every Music Composers are the best in their own league.Considering ARR or RD or Naushad or anyone else..as the Greatest would be the foolest thing to do from our side.Each of them have given good music in some of the movies and bad music in some other movies.There is not even a Single MD who’s all songs are a Hit…For me, RDB,Kalyanji-Anandji,Nadeem-Shraavan and ARR are all time favourites.they will always remain my favourites…This favourite list may increase.Every body will have their own favourites…..So for me No one is the Greatest….
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Deep inside their heart everybody agrees that ARR is the greatest composer not just in India otherwise they would not have been visiting these blog and commenting, but some of them just dont want to accept these fact they just want to keep lying to themselves and others. ARR is indeed greatest composer ever no doubt about that I think even comparing him to others is stupidity he is one of a kind.
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In the universe of music all these musicians are stars and
it is pointless to rate who is the brigerther than other. The
composer whose music makes you dance , touch your heart is the best
.
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music of the golden era is marvelous all the music directors of the golden era has given supreb music music directors like naushad s.d burmon roshan c.ramchandra salil chowdhary madan mohan ravi,o.p nayyar, khayam and chitragupta have given very good tunes. but i want to mention the work of one music director duo of the golden era whose contribution to the film music is great till date the name of those nusic director duo is shankar jaikishan this name is still popular all over the world they have ruled the music world for two decades from 1950 to 1970 till the death of music wizard jaikishan only at the age of 42 during the above tanure this duo have given mind blowing and heart touching music that is why songs like awaz deke; bedardi balma rasik balma o basanti, e mere dil kahin aur chal,ehsan tera hoha,tum mughe u bhoola na paoge, jane kahan gaye wo din, ruk ja raat, yeih sham ki tanhaiyan, aaja re ab mera dil, mughe tum se kuch bhi na chahiye,and many many more heart touching songs are still popular even after 50 years. the reason is that they were having lot of varities. most of their films are musical hits many have celebrated jublees. in fact both shankar and jakishan were very much talented they have also given numberless mind blowing and foot tapping tunes like jan pehchan ho from the movie gumnaam tum se acha kun hai from the film janwar aajkal tere mere pyar ke charche from the film brahmchari aa gale lag ja from april phool aai aai aa suku suku from junglee jiya o jiya from jab pyar kisi se hota hai cheda mere dil ne tarana from asali naqli aaja re aa zara from love in tokiyo dil tera iwana title song and many many more super hits.in fact if jaikishan would not have passed away so earlier they would have ruled the music for the coming years shankar jaikishan remained beyond comparison during their tanure,even the music of laxmikant pyrelal and kalyanji anandji was very popular lp gave first musical superhit film parasmani in 1963 after that he gave another superhit film dosti in 1964 songs of dosti like janewalo zara, chahunga main tughe, rahi manwa, and mera to jo bhi kadam hai were very popular even todate the composition style of sj and lp was very same even with the music of ka lp have given more hits some are sawan ka mahina badi mastani hai, mast baharon ka, je hum tum chori se, mere dushman, ek hasina thi, darde dil, teri rab ne bana di jodi koyal bole, pather ke sanam hum tum ek kamre main, ek duje ke liye and many many more hits as the list is very long now if we see kalyanji anandji their contribution in giving the hit music is supreb songs like kasme wade, phool tumhe bheja hai, chandan sa badan, chand si mahbooba, main to ek khawab hoon, ek tu na mila, peete peete kabhi kabhi. chod de sari duniya, aap jaisa koi, laila o laila yeih sama and one more song which i want to listen again and again is tumhe yad hoga kabhi hum miley the mind blowing sexophone there are more and more superhitsfrom kalyanji anandji in fact all these three music directors duo have given a treasure of music so instead of making any criticism about these music directors one should have a word of appriciation beacause all the music directors of golden era has given soulful music.
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I fully agree with the above post. SJ were undoubtedly great but I consider Kalyanji Anandji music equally good and they have really worked hard in composing soe of very lilting music . At the time of their entry in film music there were already stalwarts like Naushad, C ramchandran, Madan Mohan, Shankaer Jaikishan, OP Nayyar, Ravi, SD and many other talented musc directors were ruling the film music. It was very tough to make a place. KA have composed very good music and made a mark in hindi film music. They successfully competed with LP and RD in 1970’s and even in 1980’s in Disco era also they were quite active. However, they were highly underrated sometimes overshadowed by greats of Golden era and later by LP & RD but the new generation has recognised their talent though through the current music directors copied some of their songs first SRK’s DON followed by some other movies recently. I also rate music director Ravi a very talented. But unfortunately, media only promotes RD Burman and LP in old music directors and never highlights the contribution of Shankar Jaikishan, Madan Mohan, Kalyanji Anandji, OP Nayyar, Ravi and other music composers for their great contribution.
Prakash
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Folks listen to paana ke tamanna hai from heera paana and rehmans jai ho,and find the common notes and you will think again. How many music directors have movies inspired on them . Pancham passed 16 years ago but still you find him every day in some remix or add . Dum Maro Dum ,what else you want to comment on cult followed md. Rehman is good but his music still needs to stand the test of time. Lastly forget the movie blue, Tal s number Tal sey tal milayoo is a adaptation of SJ Ag na lag jayee . However that does not make Rehman an ordinary composer ,but certainly not a class of the older lot namely a phenomena called Pancham.
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Most of the lowlives in the comments page are either 1) jealous, 2)region- or religion bigoted 3) haven’t listened to most of his songs from 1992. 4) deaf or have no taste in music.. Coz I still can’t understand that after listening to all songs, how can someone deny he is not the greatest.. “ARR IS DEFINITELY THE GREATEST MUSIC PRODIGY OF ALL TIME” .. If u haven’t listened to ALL of songs, u don’t have the right to criticise. But I’m sure ARR doesn’t give a damn what u think..
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Mr Rudra,
I feel we can call undoubtedly ARR as the best music directors of modern Bollywood music (post 2000) but we can n’t call him a great MD forget ALL TIME GREATEST MD. Baring a few number of songs, his songs are dull and sounding the same tunes. Thay may be for a cas but not for masses. If your statement is true then why in India people admire Naushad, Mohd Rafi and Dilip Kumar equally who are all Muslims. Can n’t you find a simle difference of melody and consistency among Shankar Jaikishan, OP nayyar, kalyanji Anandji, SD Burman,RDB,LP and your favroutie ARR. Over that most of songs sung by himself or south signers just waste of time.
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In old times there were so many great composers like RD SD MM LP SC and many more but shankar jaikishan still managed to get 9 filmfares compared to that time its equal to 50 filmfare awards today. If they didnt get the award they always had a nomination. God if you kept Jaikishan alive for 10 more years there probably wouldnt be a composer named AR rahman. He still be in his house trying to copy RD and SJ making remixes.
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A R Rahman bought ‘Slumdog’ Oscars: Ismail Darbar
http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-06-07/news-and-interviews/29625776_1_music-composer-political-party-devdas
I have said this 1,000 times and will say it again that Rahman has bought the Oscar. Yeh kisse ko to ab khatam karne main hi acha hai. Rahman knows what I am talking about and he has got the message. Rahman is not a great music composer, he is a good sound designer. And secondly, there is nothing in the world today which can’t be bought. So people know who is talking the truth and who is not.
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Laxmikant Pyarelal are the best MD’s of Millenium, ruled from 1963 to 1998, feat unparalled. Example; Tezaab, Ram Lakha, Khalnayak, Karma, Sargam, Dosti, Prem Rog, Karz, Ek duje ke liye….etc list is endless.
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Laxmikant Pyarelal were one of the most overrated MDs of bollywood. . LP have never ruled film music during 1963 to 1970. This period belonged to Shankar Jaikishan and SDB. Of course, they made their present felt during that period. Baring their few initail movies, their music was mediocre and it is an insult of other great music directors of goledn era by ranking LP as MD of milienium. They and Bappi Lahiri ruined film msuic in entire decade of 1980. Their music during entire decade of 1990’0 lacked quality and melody. We can at best call them one of the most commercially successful MDs.
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do u mean sargam,ek duje ke liye,Prem rog,Hero, Pyar jhukta nahin.Mr India, Nagina, Meri Jung, Aasha, Arpan, Gumrah, Ram Lakhan, Saudagaar, Hum, Narsimha the list is endless lacks quality. HAHAHAHAHA.take Sur sangam,Utsav,Karz hahaha so many Flukes.Listen to Pyasa Sawan.too.Boss feel the depth in their Music.
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RD, at one point, had overtaken the formidable team of Laxmikant-Pyarelal. But he let himself be beaten back by vastly inferior talents in the 80s, while Laxmikant-Pyarelal fought back like tigers. In retrospect, it can therefore be said that RD faltered at the crucial moment, LP didn’t
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How can one compare LP & RD ?
By numbers , LP is much bigger than RD , no doubt.
However , the difference between them is the difference between Economy Class and First Class travel in an Airplane.
The fact that :
95% of remix is done of RD Songs.
Almost all heros , when they turned producers chose RD (the best) for their films or for Launching their sons:
Jeetendra – Parichay (was co-produced by Jiteendras Brother)
Deven Verna – Bada Kabutar
Shammi Kapoor – Manoranjan
Amjad Khan : Police Ke Peeche Police
Rajesh Khanna – Alag Alag , Jai Shiv Shankar,
Sanjay Dutt – Rocky
Kumar Gaurav – Love Story
Sunny Deol – Betaab
RD’s music dominating – Retro Music on FM stations
is clear indication of the class of RD.
Anil Biswas , in one of the interview’s had said that if RD was not his junior in age, he would have touched his feet.!!!
Salilda too has rated him , along side SD & himself.
In my view, NO MUSIC DIRECTOR in hindi cinema has had such good understanding of :
Melody
Rhythm
Sounds
Recording techniques
Man Management
Different Genres of Music.
Ever wondered why do we see so many musical programs based on RD’s Music.
Even titles of teleserials/ Films borrow words from RD songs:
Bade Acche Lagte hai
Kuch to Log Kahenge
Kya Hua Tera Vada
Bachna Ae Haseeno.
Even SD was not as complete a music director as RD.
ARR , LP as far far behind.
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LP is Economy Class: Shor, Piya ka ghar, Roti kapda aur makan, shagird, aaye din bahar ke,Mera Gaon mera desh, Milan, Main Tulasi tere, Daag, Hathi mere saathi, Do Raaste and many many…… Just refer LP wikipedia.Chill dude. RD inly depended on KK but LP used singers as per situations.
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Dear Santosh,
I do ‘t accept LP as all time great also. Their music was overall good but not great as Shankar jaikishan, Madan Mohan, Naushad or even RD. The music of films you have counted during 1980’s only Prem Rog and Utsav can be rated high rest all are ok. you will have to take into consideration the fact that during 1980’s there was no competition to LP except RDB. RD Burman may have done less movies yet I will rate the music of Sanam Teri kasam, Betaab, Love Story Sagar, Parinda, 1942 a Love story.higher,Arth than so called long list of LP’s movies.So it will be hype to call them MD of the millenium.May be we can call call them MDs of 1980’s. LP had strong backing of producers and directors and Lata Ji also had a soft corner for them that was the reason they survided on top for so long,
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Dear Pankaj,
I differ with you also. RDB was also a media hype. It is true that RBD was highly talented music director but he was not as exceptional as media represent. RDB’s tenure as a top MD was very short i.e. early 1970’s during Rajesh Khanna rise. RDB lacked consistency.I think you know that before RDB we had music directors like C Ramchandra, Shankar Jaikishan and OP Nayyar who in my opnion extremely talented and masters of melody,rhythm, instrumentaion and ragaa.But still I would rate RDB much higher then mediocre LP.
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u mean music of Hero, Pyar jhukta nahin, Karz, Ek duje ke liye, Pyasa sawan, Karma, Meri Jung, Tezaab, Ram Lakhan,Eshwar, sur sangam etc was mediocre. They were the 1st choice of Subhash Ghai, Manmohan desai, Manoj kumar, Raj khsola etc.
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Dear friend, why are you counting LP’s music of 1980′ when I have already said that in 1980′ s LP were top MD as there was no competition except Bappi Lahiri, even Bappi outplayed LP some times. But the music they gave barring a few can n’t match the class of SJ,MM,RDB,SDB etc. then how one can call LP as the MDs of millenium, As far as directors you named are concerned, there are many directors like Nasir Hussain, Prakash Mehra, Gulshan rai, Yash Chopra, Firoz Khan, Vijay Anand who used other MDs like Kalyanji Anandji, RDB and the music was very popular. The music of Ram Lakahn, Tezaab, karma, etc. was music for masses specially young generation. that way music of Don, Mukaddar Ka Sikandar,Ham Kisi Se Kam nahi, Lawaaris, Tridev, Jaambaaz etc. was more popular.
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i give up. LP went on 37 years succesfully beacause of Lata mangeshkars charity, they had very less talent, badly adjusted with time. Nominated for highest time 25 times, won seven awards etc etc. you r right they were mediocre.
Plz dont insult Bappi as he had god movies namak halal, sharabi, disco dancer etcc.
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Nadeem-Shravan and Shankar-Jaikishan. Are above all music composers in India. Ar Rahman is all time shit a much over-hyped and over-rated composer. His music is absoluty shit.so is RDB he is also a shit. No can come close N-S,S-J…take my words .listen to the songs of Shankar-Jaikishan and nadeem-shravan first .before commenting anyone .and you will agree with me. i bet you all agree with me.
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Adam
I agree with you. Nadeem Sarwan emerged and salvaged the bollywood music from the highly mediocre music of LP in 1990’s. The songs of Ashique, Sadak, Sajan etc were good. But They are accused of lifting tunes from elsewhere no comparison between SJ and NS.
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certainly a.r.rahman the greatest ever composer of this two decades in the world itself…
Ilayaraja born music maestro has composed over 4500 songs(898 movies) in tamil,telugu,malayalam,kannada,hindi..the songs of ilayaraja are ever green and superb and he deserves atleast 30 oscars for his compositions but due to his arrogance and boastfulness he incurred displeasure of us…
I do not listen more burman’s music but i would say burman,MSV,ilayaraj,naushad,k.v.mahadevan, and other legends are only next to the great a.r.rahman sir…
A.r.rahman is the icon of india and he united india with his music what no other legends did this…
A.r.rahman played patriotic,devotional,classics,jazz,western,hindustani,folks,sensations and the list goes on from india to japan to america,middleeast he has contributed more than other legends…
Many of my gulf,malaysian friends are enjoying a.r.rahman’s music…
And moreover he is a philanthrophist,socialactivist and down to earth personality…
A.r.rahman deserves both oscars and nobel peace prize…
Just listen to his film scores like muthu,muthalvan,vinnai thandi varuvaya,indian,kadhalan,karuthama and so and so many to add crown to a.r.rahman’s compositions…
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No way. A R Rehman may be technically better than other music directors of present times. But he is certainly nowhere near to Kalyanji anandji, Laxmi Pyare and RDb alone leave other stalwarts of golden age. Bollywoood music is nor just AR REhman and Illayaraja. Just know about Naushad, Manadan Mohan, Shankaer jaikishan, Roshan, ravi, OP nayyar and the list goes on. These are the masters who tought music to us.However, your personal views on AR Rehman are well respected.
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I am surprised that you all are comparing L.P with R.D.L.P started with parasmani dosti etc and reached to a position of being best ever composers in india.Their work with rajkapoor,Raj khosla,Manmohan desai,Manoj kumar.J.P.Dutta,K.Vishwanath , V.shantaram, and others is enough to say about.Kishor da best song like mere mahboob kayamat hogi,mere dil men aaj kya hai,yeh jiwan hai,,Pankaj udhas’s chitthi ayi hai,reshma’s lambi judai,mehndi hasan’s mai atma and endless list with lataji,mukesh and rafi came through them.
Their composition is 100 times better in club song aa jane jaan than a same manner loud and ugly but superhit song Monika o my darling.They established standards with sur sangam,satyam shivam sunderam,bhairvi,utsav,sant gyaneshwar which left far behind R.D.
Even today in a oscar winning movie like slumdog ARR copied a song from choli ke peeche kya hai.What it indicates?
RDD music with Gulzar for movies like ghar and izzazt is highly inspired with madan mohan(mausam),hemant kumar(khamoshi),and his own legend father S.DBurman.
R.D always lifted and copied tunes from italian english south african (shalimar)and mid east(indrajeet and so many others) composers which due to lack of knowledge of listners we always appreciated R.D.
L.P having very good classical and western knowledge can be said THE BEST EVER COMPOSERS OF INDIA,as some times Jubin mehta ,Naushadji and Raj kapoor said in past.
I have a huge collection of english,spanish,russian and indian songs and I found them best.Only a fool or a person not having much knowledge can compare them.
regards
anurag
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Who says LP have not lifted tunes from elsewhere. For Raj Kapoor most of the songs of Bobby were already made by Shankar Jaikishan whcih were retained in the Movie. The underrated Ravindra jain has given more melodious music than LP in RTGM and Heena for Raj Kapoor. LP were not even 10% of shankar jaikishan ig compare to RK’s movies Awara, Sangam,Mera Naam Joker, Ji desh main Ganga Behti etc. . How many of their movies are comparable with RD’s Amar Prem, Teesri Manjil, Kati Patang, Anamika and others and similarly kalyanji’s Anandji’s, Jab Jab Phool Khile, Saraswati Chand, Safar, Blackmail, Kora kagaj, Mukaddar Ka Sikandar, Qurbani etc. Music experts held LP responsible for downfall of bollywood music post 1980’s. Just because they did 600 movies, they can not be called greater then RD or KA. They lifted tune from kalyanji Anandji;s Sunheri Nagin in Nagina. An articles says that they used to pay to bandmasters to play their tunes and they used to fix Radio Cylone to keep their songs in top 10. Otherwise any idiot will tell that songs of Arradhna by great SDB were much more superior than mediocre songs of do raste, whcih had its songs on top charts of Radio Cylone. The fact remains that genious directors like Yash Chopra, Shakti Samantha,BR Chopra,narender Bedi never repeated LP.Even after doing 600 plus movies(mostly 1980’0 and 1990’0 era having no competition and no superior quality of music) they are not all time great like SJ, MM and SDB etc.
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I am surprised about your funny stories about Bobby,that tunes were already composed by SJ.I have never heard and read anywhere it even I have read that how Rajji changed there earlier choices of R.D.B and KA.Raj kAPOOR always appreciated and cheered duos for their excellent music in bobby and after that satyam shivam and prem rog.The duos were better and more melodious than legends during 60s and 70s like shagird,jeene ki raah,dosti parasmani,sant gyaneshawar,sati savitri,jal bin macchali nritya bin bijli, mr x and lot of b and c grade movies but ignored,Their duets like hum tum yug yug se ,ek pyar ka nagma hai,dhere dhere bol koi sun na le ,mehboob mere were more melodious than SJs and others.
raj kapoor ,raj khosla,manoj kumar,J.P dutta,L.V prasad,Manmahan desai tara chand barjatya ramanand sagar ,jOm prakashwere more genious than said directors and they always worked and repeated them,kISHOR da best mr x ,uphar,imtihan,daag,dost are with them.Shor,roti kapra aur makan,naseeb,kartvya,anurodh,loafer,satyakam,mere humdum mere dost,inteqam,asha,arpan,sargam,utsav,milan khilona,taqdir,piya ka ghar,anita izzat,gahrai,naam,jawad sanjog,gulami,pathar ke sanam and lot of movies with subhash ghai are more melodious than your mentioned name of RDB and ka.If yash chopra didn’t repeated him after daag so does it means that music of Daag was inferior?They were costliest composers that time so every one care about his budget.They were fine in 80s with sanjod,pyaar jhukta nahi and hero,mr india type movies.till date most of the old tunes of duos are popular that they are being rendered in marriages and functions by changing words.You can feel them in root level. This is big achievement.
They are composers of masses and classes of both and best till date 100 times better than Sdb,RDB ,KA AND OTHERS. SJ are equally great and I will not compare both duos because best album till date shree 420 and awara are through them.
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Hello. I do n’t want to contest words war. Your knowledge is very limited and biased. Bobby was conceived by raaj Kapoor long before and most of the tunes were already composed by SJ.This is the fact revealed by close associates of RK. Yash Chopra’s Kabhi Kabhi was initially was supposed to be composed by LP which was later on composed by Khayyam Saab and see the result. Tara Chand Barjatya/rajshi switched over to Ravindra Jain who composed exceptionally good music for all their movies that world knows. Ramanand Sagar worked with SJ,Ravi, KA and LP. I would rate music of non LP movies like Aaarju, Geet, Aanken better than madeocre songs Charas of LP. manoj Kumar;s Upkaar and Purab Paschim had evergreen music appreciated by generations. manmohan Desai’s Chalia, Bluffmaster and Scahha jhuta songs are remembered till this date. though you may have liking for LP that I respect even I enjoyed their music in 1980’s but It’s pathetic to call LP 100 times better than greats of golden era, who had monopoly in 1980’s due to south movies. . I am listening LP’s music since 1975 and in my time I enjoyed their music in 1980’s but in 1990’s they were pathetic. In 1970’s all PL,RDB and KA were equally popular of their own right.
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@anurag gupta
Please read Raju Bharatan’s classic “Journey down melody lane”. He recounts the story of how LP were reduced to becoming arrangers for Bobby. All the tunes were composed by SJ and RK decided the tunes, LP only arranged the music. Bharatan recounts how LP lamented before their patron Lata who consoled them saying that is how RK studios works and ‘Saheb’ is the one who calls the shots.
In fact Sun Saiba Sun from Ram Teri Ganga was SJ’s tune, Ravindra Jain got the credit, but tune belonged to SJ.
And I agree with your last line that one cannot compare the greats. All the legends SJ, OPN, SDB, RDB, LP have contributed equally to Indian music. Some may be more popular and more famous, but it is diffuclt to say that one is greater than the other.
And by the way to call AR Rahman the greatest ever is a sick joke!! He is good no doubt and has done to Indian film music what Pancham did in the 60s and 70s – but he can never be the best, in fact it is sacrilege to even compare him with RDB, SDB and others.
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Moreover I would like to say that whatever I had said in my posting that is based on what i have read on various articles on the web or elsewhere. I would not like to add the names. But LP got initial popularity due to Lata singing for them.because Lata and SJ had cold war between 1965 to 1975. Untimely death of Jaikishan which broke SJ combination contributed immensely in their rise. LP got initial break due to Kanlyanji Bhai recommended them to Babubhai Mistry for Parasmai but what they did to KA by taking away their trusted banners. like manoj Kumar, Manmohan Desai and Subhash Ghai who owe a great amount of success due to KA music in their initial movies when nobody knew them. LP’s best work like dosti, Sagird had a great support of Majrooh Sultanpuri who wrote timeless songs in those movies. In fact only 1980’s decade LP dominated on the strength of their own but that too the quality of music was not too great. the true music lovers rate Kalyanji Anandji melody higher than LP specially in sings of Mukesh and duets of rafi lata, rafi Asha and Lata Mukesh.lp were miles behind from sdb, sj and madan mohan in tunes, melody and arrangements.
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ilayara is a versatile composer in the world
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The great composer AR Rahman only…
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i am 20years old and i say………………undoubtly SJ, SDB, PANCHAM, LP are far better than ar rehman. though i like ar’s music. and for LP i can say they are also good but sj was better than them in any genre .they are highly favoured by lata and with jais death they gained a lot.if sj s jodi was intact i am sure “BOBBY ” would have gone to them and other RK projects. many of sj’s house composers move to lp after jai’s demise
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FIRST AR IS NOT A COMPOSER ONLY MUSIC (DIR). IR IS FAST BUT AR IS SLO…………………………………………..W HE ONLY KNOWS WHEN WILL HE FINISH SONG.FOR THAT REASON ONLY HE WENT TO BOLLYWOOD BECAUSE THEY ONLY TAKE MOVIE MORE THAN ONE YEAR. HE CAN WORK SLOWLY.HE NEVER SUITABLE FOR SOUTH INDUSTRIES FAST. (HE WANT TO IMPROVE HIS SPEED AND DO GOOD LOW BUDGET MOVIES) I LIKE IR MUSIC AND AR GOOD character.
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ARR? Greatest?
Is this some South Indian joke?
ARR’s last memorable track was Lagaan which was decades ago.
Rahman isn’t even the current best.
Rahman is basically a musical technician who is good at using bass sounds.
Even his earlier compositions like those for Roja were initially rejected by the directors, but later accepted when Rahman added bass to his music.
You take bass away from Rahman’s music and there is very little left.
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XYZ:
A musician is one who understand music theory. Not just an instrumentalist or a singer.
Gratest musicians of all time could compose complex pieces using the best of the words, technics, instruments and technologies available to them.
To dismiss Rahman as a music technician, is to dismiss mozart as just a pianist, or dismiss Thyagaraja as a lyricist or vocalist. Their body of work shows their versatality and deep knowledge of music theory.
ARR has all qualities of timeless great. Just as so many other greats before him.
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Hmmm…..
I love both A R Rahman and S D Burman equally, but I’m going to have to go with Tansen. ;-)
Sincerley, a Westerner
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In India we just worship flamboyance. For eg Yuvraj sing gets more media attention than Rahul Dravid. In the same manner MD’s like RDB, AR Rehman gets more attention than other MD’s. As far as i m concerned, LAXMIKANT PYARELAL is the best music composer just for the simple reason that he dominated the hindi filmi music for more than 30 years. He is the Rahul Dravid in Hindi Film Music, a composer for every mood. You just have to see the Cibaka/Binaka geetmala to verify the above mentioned facts. For the record he won 7 filmfare awards (four in a row) and were nominated 25 times, a record which stands even today.
Some body has written that songs of BOBBY were composed by SJ. Just to clear the confusition, LP rejected raj kapoor’s offer to compose music for Bobby because they respected Jaikishan a lot and after much persuation by Mukesh they accepted Raaj Saab offer. Initialy Raaj Kapoor did told them to only arrange music but when he listened the tune of song Ankhiyon ko rahne do ankhiyo ke aas paas he changed his idea and hence all songs were composed by one and only LP. LP totaly dominated 80s which can be seen from below mentioned movies list
LAXMIKANT-PYARELAL…..1980
LP v/s Other Prominent Musical Hits of the Year 1980
R D Burman:- The Burning Train, Abdullah, Shaan, Kudarat, Phir Wohi Raat.
–
Khaiyyam:- Chambar Ki Ksam, Thodisi Bewafai
Kalyanji-Anandji:- Qurabani
Rajesh Roshan:- Lootmar, Yarana, Baton Baton Main
.
Ram Laxman:- Tarana ..Sultana Sultana Mera Naam Hai Sultana..
Bappi Lahiri:- Ehsan
–
Laxmikant-Pyarelal:- Dostana, Judai, Karz, Ram Balram, Bandish, Asha, Jyoti Bane Jwala, Mang Bharo Sajana, Aas Pass, Hum Paanch, Waqt Ki Deewar ..etc.
–
LAXMIKANT-PYARELAL ….1981.
LP v/s Other Prominent Musical Hits of the year 1981
–
R D Burman:- Love Story, Rocky, Kaliya, Basera, Biwi O Biwi, Angoor
Bappi Lahiri:- Arman,(Rambha Ho) and Pyara Dushman (Hari Om Hari)
Kalyanji-Anandji:- Lawaris, Katilon Ka Katil.
Usha Khanna:- Aap To Aise Na The (Tu Is Tarah Se Meri Zindagi Main)
Khaiyyam:- Unrao Jaan
Laxmikant-Pyarelal:- Ek Duje Ke Liye, Ek Hi Bhool, Kranti, Krodhi, Naseeb, Fifty Fifty, Pyasa Sawan, Ek Aur Ek Gyarah etc..
–
LAXMIKANT-PYARELAL 1982
LP v/s Other Prominent Musical Hits of the year 1982
–
RD Burman:- Sanam Teri Kasam, Shakti, Teri Kasam, Satte Pe Satta, Zamane Ko Dikhana Hai, Bemisal, Shaukin, Kalaiya, Mahan.
Ravi
:- Nikaah
Kalyanji-Anandji:- Vidhata
Rajesh Roshan:- Khuddar, Kamchor
Bappi Lahiri:- Namak Halal, Disco Dancer.
Naushad:-Dharam Kanta
Khayyam:- Baazar.
–
Laxmikant-Pyarelal:- Prem Rog, Apna Bana Lo, Desh Premi, Rajput, Deedar-E-Yaar, Raaste Pyar Ke, Ghazab, Jeevan Dhara, Mehandi Rang Layegi, Samrat etc..
–
LAXMIKANT-PYARELAL 1983
R D Burman:- Swami Dada, Aamne Samne, Betab, Masoom, Bemisal, Pukar.
Khayyam:- Raziya Sultana
Kalyanji-Anandji:- Kalakar, Vidhata
Bappi Lahiri:- Himmatwala, Justice Chaudhari, Naukar Biwi Ka.
Usha Khanna:- Sauten
Anu Malik:- Ek Jaan Hai Hum
—
Laxmikant-Pyarelal:- Hero, Arpan, Coolie, Avtaar, Woh Saat Din, Andha Kanoon, Prem Tapasya etc..
LAXMIKANT-PYARELAL 1984
LP v/s Other Prominent Musical Hits of the year 1984
–
This year too LP gave the music for as many as 15 films.
–
RD Burman:- Sunny, Anand Aur Anand, Zameen Aasman, Manzil Manzil, Jawani, Bheema, Karishmaa, Maati Mange Khoon..
–
Bhappi Lahiri:- Quaidi, Makasad, Kamyab, Tohfa, Sharabi, Kasam Paida Karanewale Ki, Kaamyab, Wanted, Haisiyat.
–
Anu Malik:- Sohini Mahiwal
Jagjit Singh:- Arth ….Tum Itana Jo Muskura Rahe Ho
–
Laxmikant-Pyarelal:- Utsav, Pyar Jhukta Nahin, Do Dilon Ki Dastan, Asha Jyoti, All Rounder, Aklmand, Inquilab, Ghar Ek Mandir.
LAXMIKANT-PYARELAL 1985
LP v/s Other Prominent Musical Hits of the Year 1985
–
This year LP gave the music for as many as 13 films.
–
R D Burman:- Sagar, Sitamgar, Zabardast, Alag Alag, Lava, Hum Nau Jawan, Ruswai, Shiva Ka Insaaf.
–
Rajesh Roshan:- Aakhir Kyon
–
Bappi Lahiri:- Giraftar, Aitbar, Mohabbat, Babu, Saheb, Patal Bhairavi
–
Ravindra Jain:- Ram Teri Ganga Maili..
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Laxmikant-Pyarelal:- Teri Meharbaniyan, Ghulami, Jawab, Meri Jung, Yadon Ki Kasam, Sarfarosh, Mera Ghar Mere Bachche, Mera Jawab
–
LAXMIKANT-PYARELAL 1986
LP v/s Other Prominent Musical Hits for the year 1986
–
R D Burman:- Jeeva, Samundar, Ek Main Aur Ek Tu
–
Kalyanji-Anandji:- Chameli Ki Shadi, Jaanbaz
–
Bappi Lahiri:- Tarzan, Suhagan.
–
Laxmikant- Pyarelal:- Karma, Nagina, Aakhri Rasta, Aag Aur Shola, Naam, Love 86, Amrit , Nache Mayuri, Aap Ke Saath, Swarg Se Sunder,
–
LAXMIKANT-PYARELAL 1987
LP v/s Other Prominent Musical Hits of the Year 1987
–
R D Burman:- Ijaazat, Apane Apane.
Bappi Lahiri:- Dance Dance, Aag Hi Aag
Kalyanji-Anandji:- Imandar, Kaliyug Aur Ramayan
Anu Malik:- Insaniyat Ke Dushman
Rajesh Roshan:- Khudgarz
Amar-Utpal:- Shanshanh
Laxmikant-Pyarelal:- Mr. India, Kudarat Ka Kanoon, Aulad, Mard Ki Zaban, Sindoor, Loha, Sansaar, Nazarana.
LAXMIKANT-PYARELAL 1988
LP v/s Other Prominent Musical Hits for the Year 1988
–
Bappi Lahiri:- Hatya, Kasam,
Rajesh Roshan:- Dariya Dil, Khoon Bhari Mang, Kash
Usha Khanna:- Pyar Ki Jeet
Anu Malik:- Jeete Hai Shan Se
Uttam-Jagdish:- Waris
Ravi:- Awam
–
This year also Laxmikant-Pyarelal remined on top with super hit music of “Dayawan”, ”Tezaab”, “Eeshwar” etc. This year Laxmi-Pyare introduced Jolly Mukharjee. They also give a huge all time hit song to Alka Yagnik. Ek Do Teen .
–
Laxmikant-Pyarelal:- Eeshwar, Tezaab, Dayawan, Biwi Ho To Aisi, Ram Awatar, Gharana, Pyar Mohabbat, Pyar Ka Mandir and many more.
LAXMIKANT-PYARELAL 1989
LP v/s Other Musical Hits for the Year 1989
–
This year LP gave the music for as many as 15 films and at the same time they crossed the 400 number. Subhash Ghai’s ”Ram Lakhan” was Laxmikant-Pyarelal’s 400th film.
–
Bappi Lahiri:- Love Love Love
Kalyanji-Anandji:- Data, Tridev
Anand Milind:- Lal Dupatta Malmal Ka
Anu Malik:- Toofan
Shiv-Hari:- Chandani
Hasan Jahangir:- Hawa Hawa Ye Bata
Ram-Laxman:- Maine
Pyar Kiya..
–
Laxmikant-Pyarelal:- Ram Lakhan, Batwara, Santosh, Chalbaaz, Nigahen, Bhrashtachaar, Bade Ghar Ki Beti etc.
–
Laxmikant-Pyarelal’s ”Ram Lakhan”, Kalyanaji-Anandji’s “Tridev”, Shiv-Hari’s “Chandani” and Ram Laxman’s “Maine Pyar Kiya” were the strong contenders for the best music award. Jury decides not to give it to LP’s “Ram Lakhan” but to gave it to Ram Laxman’s “Maine Pyar Kiya”…
In 90s also they composed some super songs for movies like Saudagar, Narsimha, Hum, Khalnayak, Khuda Gawah, Deewana Mastana etc.
They also promoted many new singers like Suresh Wadekar, Nitin Mukesh, Md Aziz, Manhar Udas, Anuradha Paudwal, Kavita Krishnamurthy, to name few.
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On the birthday anniversary of RD Burman, your list only emphasises the mediocrity of LP in the mediocre 1980s. Other than Utsav did they have any other classic album.
Please don’t compare them to the lovely Dravid who gave so many classic moments. LP are like Agarkar who had longevity despite being low on talent because he got on well with the powers that be.
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There are only FOURE SUPER STAR Music Directors in Hindi Film Music,,1) Naushad 1944 – 1965, 2) Shankar-Jaikishan 1949 – 1972, 3) Laxmikant-Pyarelal 1963 – 1998 and 4) A R Rehman 1994 till date.
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cant believe sme r sayng Hamsalekha s nt one of the greats..I thnk dosnt hve basic knowledge abt Hamsa composition. .nd smebody said Anu malik nd Jatin Lalit s great …omg!!! anywY Rahman s one of the greats but nt the greatest…
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Laxmikant Pyarelal were the greatest ever…..ruled for over 30 years…..Others were far far behind….ARR cannot match LP in terms of melody. How many listen to Roja, Rangeela or Bombay today ???? ARR’s music is forgotten after you come out of the cinema hall.
and now just read this list Dosti, Parasmani, Mehboob Ki Mehendi, Haathi Mere Saathi, Farz, Shagird, Shor, Roti Kapda Aur Makaan, Uphaar, Bobby, Ek duje ke liye, Sargam, Amar Akbar Anthony, Daag, Karz, Hero, Ram Lakhan, Mr. India, Utsav, Khuda Gawah, and at least 150 more
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the quality matters not the quantity. raaj Kapoor was never happy with LP’s music. He always appreciated SJ’s music by heart on all interviews. LP fans are correct to the extent that LP were always no.1 but without any classics to their credit. Their music in later part of 1980’s and 1990’s was extra loud and completely lacked melody.They survived only due to support from Subhash Gahi and south banners.
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If lps were not rks choice ,why he repeated him three time and even after his death,his son again repeated in prem granth.LP’s compositions from parasmani,dosti,milan,bobby till their last movie was extraordinary.RD only copied madanmohan and his father sdb for most of his movies for gulzar.Kishorekumar’s first ever hit song mere mahboob qayamat hogi was his best till his last song,songs of satyam shivam sundaram,utsav or chitthi aayi hai(naam),purab na jaiyo(jawab) with pankaj udhas,lambi judai(reshma) and endless lisi with mukesh rafi are miracles.Compare loudy monika o meri darling and AAjane jaa (inteqam) and feel the difference between both.
LP was far ahead to all composers of there era.Only shanker jaikishan might be better than them in some extent.
regards
ag
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Its very difficult to argue with LP fans.Can you tell me why RK left LP and switched over to Ravindra Jain. RK had always appreciated SJ’s contribution to his movies. Even though during SJ regime.RK used other music composers but ultimately he came back to SJ.
Nobody doubts LP’s talent as a music composers it is also true that they remained No. one for most of the time of their career. But that does n’t mean they were the best music directors as LP fans claim. tunes simply means nothing. It is true that untimely death of Jaikishan had turned the events plus Lata’s dspute with Shankar is well known which gave a room to LP to rise to the occassion.In my personal view in 1960’s decade, LP music was good but still I like music of SJ’s Dil Ek Mandir and Sangam, Kalyanji Anandji,s Saraswaticnad, JJPK, SDB’s Aradhana better than LP’s hit films. LP,s music in 1990’s was over loudy.Some one has just mentioned RBD as a copy cat. Fine, but all music directors including LP, SJ,SDB and RD,OPN and likes of C Ramchandra everyone copied tunes and it is ridiculous to say that only LP produced orginal tunes. RDB can leave LP miles behind any day even in simple indian classic based songs(not copied tunes) example are Kinara, and 1942 Love Story. One has to go by the quality of songs not by quantity. Undoubtedly Kishore Kumar’s best are with RDB. But LP’s mere Mehboob is also good song. But not the best of Kishore Kumar. With this note, please leave this arguement that LP are the best and don’t undermine other great MDS.
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dear,
please tell me any clasical composition of rdb in comparison to title song of satyam shivam sundaram,dhanya bhagya(sur sangum),utsav,jal bin machhli nritya bin bijli and jyot se jyot jalate chalo(sant gyaneshwar.?Kinara has very mediocre music value and I can give you list of lot of songs like ek pyar ka nagma hai(shor) which are better than 1942 type of songs.
I am agreed with you that they were not at best in 90s even they composed few good numbers like bhairvi(national award winner songs) and few mega hits with subhashji,jp dutta and mukul anand. regards
anurag
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My analysis:
1950 & 1960’s decade- SJ were undoubtedly no.1 not only commercially but also the variety of songs they produced be it melody, classical,westanised, apt use of all the singers of their time and best orchastra till date.
SJ’s music remained a bench mark for all the music directors of their time as well as MDs thereafter till date including LP.
Early 1970’s RDB was upbeat. LP being most sough after commercially but overall KA and RDB produced better songs than LP.(LP’s best Bobby).
1980’s RDB had good beggining but could not sustain longer. LP had tough competition with Bappi.LP were No.1 because of no much of competition and detriorating music quality .Ther is nothing extra ordinary from LP. However, in my opinion, in this decade their music was better than Bappi and others.
1990’s if you say LP’s music was good specially with Subhash Ghai and others as mentioned by you. That may be a personal opinion. Nadeem Sarwan, Anand Milind, Annu Malik were better than LP, though they continued getting films from their old associates.
So from no angel they were even closer to SJ in overall creaivity
now coming to RBD. RBD was blessed with extra ordinary sense of rythem and sounds which remains unmatched to this date. In addition, though he may have produced overall less number of songs with Lata, Mohd rafi in comparison to LP. But in my opinion quality wise they are superior than LP.
LP always preferred working with established singers like Lata and Rafi. Still could not produce the same result from them as Madan Mohan, SJ, Ravi, OPN etc for Rafi and SJ, MM for Lata.
Even today SJ’s popularity remains unparallel.
RDB has a huge popularity in present generations.
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dear,
Now the time is changed.All the RD fans like singer abhijeet,wife ashaji(who sings RDB’s songs in every occasion ) and few others are out of service now.Many of LP’s songs are remixed and being included in coming movies which shows the present generation interest.Songs like tyyeb ali in once upon in mumbai,chalbaaj song in ek main aur ek tu,bobby song in a ad with kareena kapoor,accha to hum chalte hain with varun dhawan is already popular.We will see dancing ranbeer kapoor on karz song,and few more songs of hero,shagird,naseeb in upcoming movies.Coming generation will see and feel their music in next one year and pyarelalji is working with jaVED ali, sonu nigam in their upcoming album.
Pyarelalji is honored with a award last year in USA and and he had run a music workshop there.The dean of university called his music the real gold.Gulzar and sonu nigam were also there.
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Analysis since 1963-
parasmani-all the songs superhit and still remembered from a c grade movie
1965-best music of year ,again a low grade movie Dosti,very melodious and popular till date
1968-best music milan,all the songs superhit
1970-best music jeene ki raah
1973-shor-ek pyar ka nagma hai,still one of the best songs of indian cinema
1974-boby and daag(nothing to say because all the songs are in air till date.
1975-very meaningful and melodious songs from roti kapra aur makan
1976-dulhan(sweet songs)
1978-best album of year’amar akbar anthoni’
1979-exceptional compositions of decade from satyam shivam sunderam,best music of year
1980-sargam(good and hit classical numbers
All above data is from filmfare awards.
I have not included shagird,pathar ke sanam,mr x in bombay,dost,imtihan,inteqam and lot more to show who was dominating film industry by quality and quantity both.LP was a fabulous combination of both.
And again i will say ,No one is near SJ till date,but after them only LP are the masters
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Most of the TOP and Musically Inclined Producers & Directors, Film Makers, Film Actors etc..have Used LAXMIKANT-PYARELAL’s music. Raj Khosla, Raj Kapoor, Manoj Kumar, Subhash Ghai, V Shantaram, Yash Chopra, Manmohan Desai, L V Prasad, J Om Prakash, Rajkumar Kohli, Mohan Kumar, K Vishwanath, Rajshri Films, and many more could be named. This list has no end but it is doubtful that any other music director has worked with as many as prominent film producers/directors and companies in the manner Laxmikant-Pyarelal have worked. More importantly for all these Film Makers Laxmikant-Pyarelal have composed the music with different flavor.
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Agreed LP after SJ overall. But busic of SJ in whol3 1960’s were supirier than LP even though LP’s songs may have been No.1 in popularity. Eg. Dil Ek Mandir(1963), Sangam 1964, Arzoo 1965 Brahmachari 1967, Mera Naam Joker, Andaaz etc.
My favroutes for 19970’s
RDB: Amar Prem, Andhhi, Mere Jeevan Saathi,Karvaan, Yaddon Ki Baraat
KAP Sachha Jhutha, Johney Mera Naam, Geet, Safar, Kora Kagaz, Black Mail, Don, Mukaddar Ka Sikandar, Purav Aur Paschim, Bairaag
LP : Bobby, Satyam Shivam Sundaram,Amar Akbar Anthony
By the mid 1970’s Film fare awards were more on lobbying ratger than pure artistic work
. KA’s Don and Mukaddar Ka Sikandar are much superior than LP’s AAA. Similarly Upkarr and Poorav Aur Pachim can leave behind Manoj Kumar’s music for his subsequent film in popularity any day.
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Laxmikant-Pyarelal and Filmfare Awards:-
Ever since Laxmikant-Pyarelal entered into the Hindi Film Music in 1963 they were nominated for the Best Music Directors almost for each and every year. There are many years in which LP were nominated for 3 or more numbers of films in a particular year. At the same time LP narrowly missed the awards too. Films like Aaye Din Bahar Ke, Intquam, Do Raste, Mera Gaon Mera Desh, Shor, Daag, Bobby, Ek Duje Ke Liye, Utsav and Sur Sangam certainly deserves the Filmfare Awards for the best music director. All together LP got 7 Filmfare Trophies, including FOUR Time in a row, for the following films.
1964:- Dosti
1967:- Milan
1969:- Jeene Ki Raah
1977:- Amar Akabar Anthony
1978:- Satyam Shivam Sundaram
1979:- Sargam
1980:- Karz
NOMINATION:
1970: Best Music Director – Do Raaste
1972: Best Music Director – Shor
1973: Best Music Director – Bobby
1973: Best Music Director – Daag: A Poem of Love
1974: Best Music Director – Roti Kapda Aur Makaan
1975: Best Music Director – Dulhan
1979: Best Music Director – Jaani Dushman
1980: Best Music Director – Aasha
1981: Best Music Director – Ek Duuje Ke Liye
1982: Best Music Director – Prem Rog
1983: Best Music Director – Hero
1985: Best Music Director – Meri Jung
1985: Best Music Director – Pyaar Jhukta Nahin
1985: Best Music Director – Sur Sangam
1988: Best Music Director – Tezaab
1989: Best Music Director – Ram Lakhan
1991: Best Music Director – Saudagar
1993: Best Music Director – Khalnayak
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dear ajay,
you are 100% right and point out all reality ,which I was trying to say since long.
Thanks for very honest comments.
anurag
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“Binaca Geet Mala” and Laxmikant-Pyarelal:-
LP have completely dominated the Weekly Countdown programme called “Binca Geet Mala”, the most popular and famous musical radio programme of it’s time. It’s first broadcast was in 1953 by Radio Ceylon and it’s host was the inimitable Ameen Sayani. The Binaca Geet Mala ranked the most popular Bollywood film songs according to sales in select shops in select cities.
In the third quarter of 1963, LP’s first ever songs Hasta Hua Nurani Chehara form Parasmani hit the “Binaca Geet Mala”. After that LP’s songs were regularly and prominently aired on “Binaca Geet Mala”. There used to be sixteen songs in each of the weekly “Binaca Geet Mala” programme, more than half the numbers of the songs were of LP. There are certain weekly Binaca Geet Mala programmes in which more than 13 out of 16 songs of LP were broadcast when LP were on right on top of their carrier. BGM used to broadcast annual (Vasrshik ) programme giving the orders of the top 32 songs of every year. In this programme also LP were having upper hand. Not only that, on an average, there used to be at least more than 15 songs used to be of LP, that too about 50 % of the songs in between top to first ten positions. The Binaca Geet Mala records shows that Laxmikant-Pyarelal have completely dominated this musical programme.
Here is the list of the songs of LP which were on top position in that particular year.
1967 Milan:-
Sawan Ka Mahina Mukesh & Lata Mangeshkar
1968 Shagird:-
Dil Bil Pyar Vyar Lata Mangeshkar
1969 Intquam:-
Kaise Rahu Chup Lata Manageshkar
1970 Do Raste:-
Bindiya Chamake Gi Lata Mangeshkar
1975 Roti Kapada Aur Makarn:-
Mehangai Mar Gai Jani Babu Quwal & Lata
1980 Sargam:-
Dafali Wale Mohammad Rafi & Lata
1984 Hero:-
Tu Mera Hero Hai Anuradha Paudwal & Manhar
1986 Sanjog:-
Yashoda Ka Nandlala Lata Mangeshkar
1987 Naam:-
Chitthi Aayi Hai Pankaj Udhas
1989 Ram Lakhan:-
My Name Is Lakhan Mohammed Aziz
1993 Khalnayak:-
Choli Ke Peeche Alka Ygnik & Ila Arun
When we talk about FINAL BINACAGeetmala songs….here is the following data..(Songs appearing in the list of Final Songs)..Just considering TOP five music directors.
174 songs ….Laxmikant-Pyarelal
133 songs … Shankar-Jaikishan
118 songs…. R D Burman
74 songs…. Kalyanji-Anandji
55 songs…. S D Burman.
So one can judge who is the TOP music directors.
Ajay
Lagos, Nigeria.
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I request all music lovers should join this group to know more about Laxmikant-Pyarelal. https://www.facebook.com/groups/laxmipyarefans/
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LP were great music Directors without any doubt. But data given by Ajay data do not prove that they were greater than masters like SJ and SDB.To become SJ one needs to be a trend setters. versitile to create magic from any singer, mastry in any style of music and mastry in creating unique impact on all instruments, direct 100pcs archestra yet melody to dominate. LP were a great fans of SJ. My utmost regards to LP also because in my student days songs of LP were on my lips all the time. RIP Laxmiji. But my first favroutes are one and only SJ.
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Pals,
First and foremost thing I want to remind abt ARR is HE MADE AN ERA IN INDIAN MUSIC, which cant be declined by anyone.. Music revolution in india happened after his entry. ARR broke the rules of indian music in brief, if you check out world’s music revolution began by 70s itself (pink floyd, ac dc and few music troops were in fame taken as eg) but in the same period we composed songs using same tabla, violin, guitar, dolak,veena, Sitar,drums( for few songs). Indian musicians were not ready to go beyond this rule,ritual and tradition of our music. They wanted to keep up their existing position and fame of glory. I bet you all ppl if you listen to indian music till 1992 you cant spot a film song or music with out tabla and violin(i got irritated sometimes wen listening to “dak kum dak kum, talam produced by tabla” ) (both instruments were used offen) frankly, ARR relieved tabla from long service to indian music. If you have deeply music listening habit try to listen Rahman’s songs then you will definitely know how dept his compositions are. The details he adds to his songs is marvelous which I admire and never seen in anyone’s music.
Recognition from the world is that ppl accepted his music and he composes in such way to reach global audience. India wont recognise a chinese or japanese song bt Rahman’s music and songs were recognised by both nations.
Finally, Rahman fame didn’t come from marketing it entirely coz of his INNOVATIVE thinking and thinking beyond the normal. Which none did so he is still shining..
-Jayarr
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if rehman is that great why people are still listening rafi , kishore,lata and asha whoes songs were composed by lp sdr rd even bhappi lahiri please stop glorifying this rehman shit atleast after jthj, dont forget the era in which he emerged we also saw some lovely non film musicians like nusrat fateh ali, aryans, daler mehandi and many more, don’t just forget legandary jagjit singh, mehdi hasan and king of pop mj was still there
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Rahman is the best of current generation in India. For me, Ilayaraja is by far the greatest I have ever listened to. If you keep Ilayaraja aside, then Rahman is definitely one of the contenders (I can easily see at least 20 contenders from different languages).
Including Ilayaraja in such comparisons is unfair to both ilayaraja and any other music composer because quality and quantity of ilayaraja’s output can easily eclipse (and drown) any other composer I have heard so far. In my opinion, it easily takes at least 5 years for anybody to sort through all the works of ilayaraja. I have started nine years back going through his works in all 5 languages (Tamil, telugu, Kannada, Malayalam and Hindi) and still not over :-)..
Even though I strongly believe that one’s musical preferences are subjective, I would like to rate compositions (for both songs and back ground scores) based on 1) Melody 2) Orchestration/Instruments/Arrangements 3) Originality 4) dynamics and unpredictability in the compositions 5) Non-monotonous and non-repetitive compositions 6) Equal importance to both vocals and instruments, and how they complement each other to take a composition into higher plane 7) How well they suit the movie and its emotions 8) Experiments within the scope of movie. 9) Number of high quality (as perceived by all these creteria) compositions.
If someone goes through ranking MDs by these criteria, I am sure ilayaraja will be either at the top or one of the best in each of them.
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But we should also credit rahman for being globally more recognizable than any past MD (including Ilayaraja). But it doesn’t mean his music is the best.
Someone here mentioned that it is Rahman who brought new instruments and new genres to Indian film music. On both counts he is wrong. He hasn’t brought anything new that wasn’t done or used by past MDs like Salil choudhary, MSV or Ilayaraja.
But he did bring new sound. His music sounded lot more crisp and clear. Also he brought rhythm to foreground, which made many people get interested (including me). His melodies may not be as good as past MDs, but were simple and definitely very effective. If I sort my favourite rahman’s compositions, most of them are built on good melody and pronounced rhythm. Actually I don’t like his works where he tries to layer too many instruments and ideas. They seem forced and I believe he doesn’t have the best skill to bring so many instruments to convey single emotion that a song is supposed to portray.
People think ilayaraja is considerd by many as greatest for his melody, which is totally false. Melody of other great MDs (including Rahman) comes close or is as good as Ilayaraja, but it is in all other departments (orchestration, dynamics, background scores and etc..) where ilayaraja is supreme.
Rahman’s background scores seem like a collage of jingles which by themselves sound good, but don’t go well each other (or in the context of movie). I like lot of his short pieces in back ground scores but they fail to move smoothly from one piece to other. When I listen to his long pieces, they either are monotonous because melody is not changing often or they don’t invoke any emotions at all. Of course there are always exceptions.
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It will be wrong to compare A R Rehman with past MDs as far as global recognition matter is concerned simply because of the global reach and communication technology and shy change in the taste of people for music. Even then, the music of Shankar jaikishan at that point of time was popular and recognised abroad with is commendable.
In my view Illayaraja is ahead of ARR.
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RD, SD etc.. there are many great musicians.. but the truth is that they were composing songs only in hindi and may be some other north indian languages.. these legends failed to make any impact in south india… on the other hand, south legends like msv, ilayaraja etc.. were composing only in south indian films and not much in hindi and other north indian films… Its only AR Rahman who was popular in both south and north india even today… Inarguably, AR Rahman is the only music director to be recognized in every part of india,.. I dont think no other music director has acheived this…. So there stands AR Rahman.. He has made his music travel all around india and now all over the world..
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Is it comparison between with LP with other music directors? Is the quality of LP music is better than SD and RD? Is the hit songs are the only criteria to become a legendary music director? When quality matters SD scored over every music director including LP and ARR. Take the instances: In the years 1951, 1957, 1959, 1963, 1965,1967, 1969, 1971, 1973 the music composed by S.D.Burman is way ahead of others. 1952 belongs to Naushad. The years 1955, 1956 and 1961 belongs to Shankar Jaikishan. The year 1962 and 1964 belongs to Madan Mohan. The year 1970 belongs to Kalyanji Anandji. From 1972,1974 and 1975 belongs to R.D. Burman. And you can’t say about the performance of the other years. After 1975 the quality of music was totally faded.
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