Page 32 - FEB 2022

MELODIOUS ECHOES contribution

By RAJI
Lakshmikant- Pyarelal as One

says that he is a blessing of Lord
Shiva (the Lord of all arts) who has
taken birth for the sake of Mother
Earth, denoting the fact that music
is divine, meant to heal. Befitting
words for Rafi saab indeed!
Interestingly, the harmonica portion
for this song and a couple of other
songs were played by none other
than the musical genius, R.D.
Burman! Quite frankly it’s hard
to say whether it was the melody
of the song or Rafi Saab’s honey-
soaked voice that makes this such
an endearing number.
The year was 1964. People thronged to the movie LP started their career with Kalyanji
halls to watch a low budget movie which starred Anandji as their assistant. Their first film as music
two young men who were virtually unknown, as the directors was a fantasy film called ‘Parasmani.’ Lataji
lead pair. A unique story indeed of two friends, one had discovered Lakshmikant while the latter who was
blind and one physically handicapped. There were merely ten years old played the mandolin for her in
no major female leads, or even major fight scenes a concert in Mumbai. Lakshmi Pyare met at Sureel
in the movie. The music was by a little-known duo, Klala Kendra; a music school run by the Mangeshkar
Lakshmikant Kudalkar and Pyarelal Sharma. Five of music academy for children. Getting to know of their
the six songs in the movie sung by Mohammed Rafi humble financial backgrounds LLataji recommended
became chartbusters. ‘Dosti’ went on to win several their names to several nusic directors of those times.
awards, but most importantly was instrumental in Pyarelal played the violin and was well trained in
establishing Lakshmikant- Pyarelal as one of the Western classical music. One can see their hold
leading music directors along with the likes of on Indian folk music and western notes in many of
Shankar Jaikishan and O.P. Nayyar. Mohammed Rafi their songs. Lakshmi Pyare are known for their use
and Lakshmi -Pyare both won Filmfare awards for the of instruments such as ‘Dholak’ and ‘Dafli.’ Not that
song ‘Chahoonga main tujhe.’ All the other songs these percussion instruments were not used before,
in the album like ‘Mera to jo bhi kadam hai, ‘Meri but they came to the forefront after LP. Another
dosti mera pyar’ and ‘Rahi manwa dukh ki chinta’ noteworthy factor about their music is their ability to
have great melody and lyrical content in them. But the grow and change with the music of that time. If for
song we will look at is ‘Jaane walon zara.’ The lyrics ‘Shagird’ they used rock and roll, it was disco for
are by Majrooh Sultanpuri, and the song is a plea to ‘Karz.’ Shagird had songs from their favorite singers
human beings to not look at the physically impaired Lata Mangeshkar and Mohammed Rafi. It is said that
as any different than ourselves. The beginning alaap Rafi and Lata never took any fees from LP in their
gets you right away. Soft almost like a whisper, Rafi earlier days. LP remained loyal to Rafi even when
saab starts the song. ’Jaanewalon zara mud ke dekho the latter had lost his hold in the industry. Rafi sang
mujhe... ek insaan hoon” and then he comes out full- his last song,’Tu kahin aas paas hai dost’ under LP’s
throated..., ‘main tumhari tarah.’ Aah talk of goose baton. He died 25 minutes later.
bumps! This song touches the very core of one’s
being! It is a song that has inclusion in its very core. ‘Is A lot of their older songs resemble the style of
Jahan ke liye, Dharti ma ke liye Shiv ka vardan hoon, Shankar Jaikishan. For example, one of the most
main tumhari tarah’ – these lines tell it all. The singer

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