The Magic Named ‘Ravi’

     

“Chalo Ek Baar Phirse Ajanabi Ban Jaaye Ham Dono……..”

The true music lovers must have guessed about which music director I am going to talk. He is so popular for his music that he can never be any Ajanabi (An unknown one)

Such so many sweet melodies are created by music director Ravi. Though his full name is Ravi Shankar Sharma, he is known as Ravi.

Ravi was born on 3rd March 1926 at Delhi. He was strongly attracted towards music from childhood itself and hence at the age of 23 he left his job of electrician and came to Mumbai to try his luck. In fact he wanted to be a singer in film industry.

Initially he served as Tabla player in Filmistan. Then he was one of the chorus singers in Zanak Zanak Paayal Baaje movie under music director Sachin Da. While singing in chorus for Vande Mataram song in Anandmath movie, Hemant Kumar saw this young man and took him as his assistant.

As an assistant of Hemant Kumar, Ravi worked for movies like Shart, Samrat, Jagruti, Nagin, etc. It is to be noted that music director of super hit film Naagin was Hemant Kumar but Ravi and Kalyanji had given music for the most popular song Man Dole Tera Tan Dole. The tremendously popular music piece of lute (A folk music instrument played by snake charmer known as been) in the starting of song was prepared by Ravi on harmonium. It is said that when Hemant Da received award for this film, he handed over the trophy to Ravi and said you also have a great contribution in this. Considering these qualities of creativity, Hemant Da encouraged Ravi to undertake independent projects.     

Ravi is known as successful music director but he has also written songs for some films. Very few people know this. For the first time, Ravi worked as music director for movie Vachan by Rajendra Goyal. He also wrote two songs for this film. More interestingly he also sang a duet song in this film with Asha Bhosale. 

The lullaby Chanda Mama Door ke, Pohe Pakaye Choor ke from Vachan is still popular.  Ravi had once shared a memory related with one more song of this film Ek Paisa De De O Babu.

Those were the days when he was struggling in film industry. One late night he was going from Goregaon to Marine lines and had a nap in local train and woke up directly at Churchgate. He caught a tram to return back but saw the conductor and step out from running tram as he had no money for the ticket. He went on walking towards Marine lines. On the way he saw some people enjoying tea in that cold night. He was also hungry and felt like having tea, but unfortunately he had no money. At that time the song Ek Paisa De De Babu, Teri Jeb Rahe Na Khali emerged in his mind and he used that song in Vachan. This song was very popular at that time and was being used by every beggar. It was the turning point for Ravi and then he never looked back.

He went on providing music to films one after another and people went on appreciating all songs from Waqt, Nagin, Anuradha, Ek Phool Do Maali, Tower House, Bharosa, Aadami Aur Insaan and the list goes on.

The starting note and words Oy Oy Oy Oy from super hit song Oh Meri Joharajabi from Waqt is unforgettable with the naughty look by Balraj Sahani to his wife in that movie. The words of Sahir, music by Ravi, voice of Manna Dey and great actor Balraj Sahani on screen, everything has taken the song at apex quality level. It will not be improper if we consider it as one of the finest creations of Ravi.

Many times it happens that only two to three songs of a film get popularity, but Ravi is one of those fewest music directors who achieved tremendous success with every song popular from every film. The reason behind this was his simple tunes and wise & excellent use of Indian instruments like Flute, Sarod, Sitar, Santoor, Shehnaee. With his frank and jolly nature he became favourite for all director producers.   

The period when Ravi gave music to films is considered as golden era of Hindi films. There were best music directors like Naushad, Roshan, Madanmohan, C. Ramchandra, Sachin Da, O. P. Naiyyar, Khayyam at that time. But in spite of this, Ravi made his own place in industry. He worked with almost all great and popular lyricists and gave great quality tunes for the songs of Sahir, Shakeel Badayuni, Rajendra Krishna, Majarooh Sultanpuri, Asad Bhopali, Hasan Kamal.

But his songs with Sahir, Shakeel Badayuni and Rajendra Krishna proved to be more popular. Sahir and Ravi pair has given many excellent songs.

Oh Meri Joharajabi and Ham Jab Simat ke Aap ki Baahon Me Aa Gaye from Waqt

Chalo Ek Baar Phir Se Ajanabi Ban Jaaye Ham Dono and Aap Aaye To Khayal  E Dil E Nashad Aaya from Gumrah

Na Moonh Chhupa ke Jio Na Sar Jhuka ke Jio from Hamraz

Choo Lene Do Najuk Hothon Ko from Kajal

Dekha Hai Jindagi Ko Kuchh Itana Qareeb Se from EK Mahal Ho Sapano ka

Itani Haseen Itani Jawaan Raat Kya Kare from Aaj Aur Kal, all these are the great gifts to music lovers from this pair.

Ravi has created beautiful songs with Shakeel Badayuni in the films Do Badan and Chudahavi Ka Chand. Though the songs for Chudahavi Ka Chand were written by Shakeel Badayuni, the concept to start the song with the words Chudahavi Ka Chand was of Ravi.

After success of Chudahavi Ka Chand he was invited from producers of Madras also.

During this period, he gave music for movie Waqt of B. R. Chopra. All the songs from this film got unparalleled popularity and thereafter every film of B. R. Chopra was done with Ravi. Music by Ravi has lion’s share in success of Gumrah, Hamraz, Dhund, Nikaah, Tawaayaf, etc. We see the statement ‘Karmanye Vadhikaraste Ma Phaleshu Kadachan’ in voice of Hemant Kumar at the beginning of every film of B. R. Chopra also has music by Ravi. 

Songs of Ravi with Rajendra Krishna from Nazrana, Raakhi and Bharosa also received great popularity.

Bazi Kisi Ne Pyar Ki Jitee Ya Haar Di and Bikhar Ke Zulfe Chaman Me Na Jaana from Nazarana as well as Aaj Ki Mulakaat Bas Itani and Wah Dil Kahaa Se Laau Teri Yaad Jo Bhula De are still in the minds of music lovers.

The variety in the songs of Ravi makes us surprised and amazed. He has tuned on every kind and genre of songs and most importantly all of them are so popular that no one can claim that he could not handle any particular kind of songs.

Now see, written by him and also music by him for the lullaby Chanda Mama Door ke, Pohe Pakaye Choor ke is considered as excellent till today. 

No Indian marriage can be complete without playing his song Mere Yaar Ki Shaadi Hai from the movie Aadami Sadak Ka which is sung by him with Mohammad Rafi and got fulfilled his wish to become a bollywood singer.

I doubt there is hardly any Bidaaee in Indian marriage without the song Babul Ki Duwaaye Leti Jaa from Neelkamal.

The great Kawwali Chehara Chhupa Liya Hai Kisi Ne Hijaab Me from Nikaah and Sharama Ke Kyu Sab Paradanashin Aanchal ko Sawaara Karate Hai from Chaudahavi Ka Chand sung by Lata Mangeshkar and Shamshad Begum are amazingly great and popular.

Tora Man Darpan Kahalaaye from Kajal and Darshan Do Ghanshyam Naath Mori Ankhiya Pyaasi Re from Narasi Bhagat are the very popular Bhajans.

The song compulsorily played on 26th January and 15th August Saare Jahaan Se Achchha Hindosta Hamaara, Daadi Amma Daadi Amma from Gharana, C A T Cat, Cat Maane Billi from Delhi Ka Thag with Kishor Kumar, Mere Bhaiya Mere Chanda, Mere Anamol Ratan describing holy relation of brother & sister from Kajal and what not, you just name a popular melody and it’s created by Ravi. 

The real song for beggars popular at apex level Garibo Ki Suno Wah Tumhari Sunega is also by Ravi.

His songs got tremendous popularity but it’s a fact that his some songs with very nice music are forgotten, those I would like to mention here for music lover readers. Those are

Chale Bhi Aao, Chale Bhi Aao by Lata from Ek Saal

Diwana Kah Ke Aaj Muze Phir Pukaariye by Rafi from Mulzim

Jaa Jaa Rey Chanda Teri Chandani Jalaaye by Lata from Albeli

Yah Mehfil Sitaaron Ki, Raat Yah Bahaaron Ki sung by Asha and Hemant from Arab Ka Saudagar

Pyaar Ki Duniya Lutegi Hame by Lata from movie Mehandi

Such many sweet songs are there.

Aulad Ki Khatir released in 1990 was his last movie as music director. For long 35 years from 1955 to 1990 he contributed best quality music to number of songs. He also gave music for some Malayalam and Gujarati movies and Gujarat & Kerala government honoured him for his contribution. His musical journey here ended on 7th March 2012. Though he is not with us today, he has left precious music memories behind for his fans. 

He started his journey saying

Ek Paisa De De Babu

Teri Jeb Rahe Na Khaali

Tu Roj Manaaye Diwali 

and he went after filling pockets of his music lover fans with precious gems of his melodious songs.

This great musician who taught us the philosophy to live life fully and also to consider its momentary feature will be there always in our hearts with his song

Aaage Bhi Jaane Na Tu

Pichhe Bhi Jaane Na Tu

Jo Bhi Hai Bas Yahi Ek Pal Hai