Blast from the past:  These are a few of my favourite…Ravi compositions…

Ravi, also referred to as Bombay Ravi in Malayalam films, was a self-taught musician who really struggled to get a foothold in the music industry in Hindi films.  He started off doing back up vocals for Hemant Kumar in Anand Math and then slowly made his mark as composer.  His earliest films were Vachan and Albeli followed by hits like Ye raaten ye mausam from Dilli Ka Thug and Yeh Hawa ye Nadi ka kinara from Ghar Sansar. His big break came with Guru Dutt’s Chaudhvin Ka Chand in 1960 and there was no looking back! Often referred to as King of Soft Melodies, in his career spanning many years, Ravi also composed music for Malayalam films, notable among them being Nakhashatangal, Panchagni and Vaishali.  This understated and unassuming composer passed away on March 7th, leaving behind a trail of dazzling songs to remember him with.  I share with you some of my personal favourites of Ravi’s compositions! It was certainly a walk down memory lane to those days when I would tune in regularly to the Jaimala and Manchahe geet programmes on Vividh Bharathi and listen to my favourite Hindi songs!

Ye Raathen Ye Mausam - this beautiful waltz from Dilli Ka Thug will always be on top of my list.  One of the first songs that I performed on stage and even today love starting my music shows with!! The opening lines can get the audience on their feet and on to the dance floor just like that! Stylish and delightful singing by Kishore and Asha with lovely lyrics by S.H.Bihari.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4np5V2wTXwE

Yeh Hawa Ye Nadi Ka Kinara from Ghar Sansar by Manna Dey and Asha Bhosle is elegance, charm and impishness rolled into one – Indian and western beats comfortably bond. Inspired quite a few later Hindi and Tamil songs– kannale pesi pesi kollathe, etc in Tamil…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dw4bkzaw7KM

Laage Na Mora Jiya From Ghungat –Lata’s heart tugging rendition of this song in Raag Shivranjani with lyrics by Shakeel Badayuni make it unforgettable indeed.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WyQj4RM3UkM

Chaudhvin Ka Chand - from Guru Dutt’s film with the same title - undoubtedly one of the most romantic songs ever composed. This raag pahadi based classic never fails to enchant and captivate listeners of all generations –simply walks into the heart of the listener and never leaves!! No wonder that this song won Rafi and lyricist Shakeel Badayuni Filmfare awards that year!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Ud2rsMT5ng

Husn Wale Tera Jawab from Gharana – Rafi drenches this song with much love and tenderness. Picturised on Rajendra Kumar and Asha Parekh, this film won the Filmfare award for best music for Ravi.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pEdoGj4mrfk&feature=relmfu

Baar Baar Dekho from China Town has Shammi Kapoor, mustache and all, naughty and dashing, dancing and strumming his guitar as he serenades and tries to impress a petulant Shakila!  Lovely accordion and brass and percussion accompaniment and wonderful variation of rhythm and Rafi’s neat vocals are highlights of this song.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k6pYkSh2NcA

Ai Mere Dil E Naadaan from Tower House - Asad Bhopali pens an exquisitely melancholic song sung beautifully by Lata! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0QEkrZfXxwQ

Saubaar Janam Lenge from Ustaadon Ke Ustaad was a huge hit with Rafi’s evocative and haunting rendition complemented by an impressive background score.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CTprvBjARLY

Ye Khamoshiyaan Ye Tanhaaiyaan - Ye Raasten Hain Pyar Ke – featuring Sunil Dutt and the captivating Leela Naidu, this gorgeous and gentle melody by Rafi and Asha was replete with elegant orchestral score!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FVyseCfB_IY&feature=related

Yeh Wadiyan Yeh Fizaayen – Aaj Aur Kal –This fine number penned by Sahir and sung by Rafi features Sunil Dutt and Nanda. Lovely accordion and strings abound with foot-tapping rhythm throughout, which even gets the wheelchair bound Nanda to her feet at the end! (Okay, maybe it was also aided by Dutt’s proximity to the cliff-edge!!)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PVlsS7O61aQ&feature=fvst

Chalo Ik Baar – Gumrah which released in 1963 had some other lovely songs especially Aap aaye and In hawaon mein and tujko mera pyar pukare.  This Sunil Dutt starrer had Mahendra Kapoor singing for him and a tremendous job he did indeed!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cE5q9kst-Zc

Ai Mere Zohra Jabeen /Aage Bhi Jaane Na Tu –Waqt had an awesome line up of stars with equally remarkable music and even today, Ai mere zohara jabeen remains one of the most popular filmi qawalis composed.  Manna Dey breezes through this beguiling and terrific number.  Aage bhi jaane na tu had a nightclub setting with elegant dancing and romance in the air.  Sahir’s sparkling take on life and living for the moment was immortalized with Ravi’s beautiful melody and Asha’s outstanding rendition!  
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qfNjDPsX1VQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gM0ZnP7_cCM&feature=fvst

Tora Man Darpan – Kaajal – this aural treat in raag Darbari forms the opening credits for the film and enthralls the listener not just with the beautiful deployment of the raag but also Asha’s sweet rendition!  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c44Ah24hr9M
Choole Ne Do Naazukh – Rafi’s voice fits Raj Kumar’s inebriated persona to the hilt and this song from Kaajal is a heady mixture of romance and ardor!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WABzbLWOJiM&feature=fvst

Hey Neele Gagan Ke Tale- from Humraaz. This simple yet dazzling melody woven around raag Bhupali with Mahendra Kapoor’s trademark humming is haunting – he croons and enchants with his baritone vocals through the entire song!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8v1QWgyDFDs

Babul Ke Duaayen from Neel Kamal. Rafi’s poignant and absolutely marvelous rendition can reduce even the most hard hearted to tears in this Bidaai song which speaks of a father’s love for his daughter and his grief as he bids farewell as she leaves for her marital home.   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pABBYGFNXts

Zindagi Itefaaq Hai and Zindagi Ke Rang Kayi Re from Aadmi aur Insaan – both by Asha showcasing her versatility - the first is a sizzling number in Asha’s sultry vocals set in a night club filmed on Mumtaz and Dharmendra and Feroz Khan and the second features Saira Banu pensive and sorrowful with Asha creating the right amount of angst with her emotive vocals! Sahir’s lyrics are a treat as always!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kT5qlVYQ9RM&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f7aYshNiM1c

Dil Ke Armaan – Nikaah, a musical treat was a comeback of sorts for Ravi! This song won Salma Agha the Filmfare award for best female singer in 1982, bringing back the trend of full throated female singers to Hindi film music!  Chupke Chupke Raat Din – yet another gorgeous song from Nikaah by Ghulam Ali! 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5AV8ubNVNZg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zPd9Mwtp2A0&feature=related

Ravi entered Malayalam films in the 80’s where he was popularly known as Bombay Ravi – how effortlessly he transitioned into composing music for Malayalam films which were known for their highly classical (carnatic) and melody based content – his memorable Malayalam compositions include Panchagni, Nakhashatangal, Oru vadakkan veera katha, vaishali, vidyarambham etc!

Saagarangale and Aa Raathri Maanyu poyi from Panchagni, the former sung by K.J.Yesudas and latter by K.S.Chitra are both immensely popular even today!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O9ObtE_3XUU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R7HUFe9IwHo&feature=related
Manjal Prasaduvum from Nakhashatangal – another gem that won Chitra a national award.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RmgonD_1ju0&feature=related
Indu Pushpam Choodi Nilkum from Vaishali won Chitra yet another National Award for best female singer.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4LiYlNMVLos
Andolanam –This enchanting number by Chitra and Yesudas from Sagaram.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C9FWVEmN_co

There are so many other songs from Dharkan, Ek Phool Do Mali, Dhund, Khandaan, Do Badan; etc…the list is indeed endless!! Truly a versatile and un(der)sung hero of Indian Film Music, Ravi’s style and talent encompassed the north and south in a manner so distinct and distinguished and so musically rich and fulfilling.  May his soul be at peace and may listeners continue to be enthralled by the music he left behind for us for years to come.

I sign off with a link to a song that is considered iconic as wedding songs go – aaj meri yaar ki shaadi hai- a hit from Aadmi Sadak Ka that Ravi is credited with singing along with Rafi. 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8QyPLlH9URk

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