Salil Chowdhury was born in Bengal but his childhood was spent in the tea gardens of Assam.Here, he developed his musical instincts by listening to the records in his father’s music collection.From here, he gained knowledge about western classical music.But he was also proficient in Indian traditions.
Salil Chowdhury was a genius.All indian composers past & present acknowledge his superiority.Why was he great?Well, he knew music.He knew about the symphonies of Western Classical Music.But he also knew the ragas of indian classical music.What was more he could apply this knowledge to his tunes.He composed in many indian languages but we chiefly know him for his work in Hindi, Bengali & Malayalam, He was an avowed leftist and was associated with the IPTA.He also wrote many bengali songs which were chiefly sung by Hemant Kumar.
Here are some of his most significant songs which I like:
1.O Sajna Barkha Bahar Aayi(Parakh):The composition captures the mood of the monsoons, the pitter-patter of rain, the crackle of thunder, the sheer romanticism of a dark, rainy day.
2.Chad Gayo Papi Bichua(Madhumati):This is musical wizardry at its best, the highs, the lows, the exhilaration, the melancholy.
3.Woh Ik Nigah Kya Mili(Half Ticket):Probably a western inspiration, the melody, the strength of the composition is to die for.
4.Bag Main Kali Khili(Chand Aur Suraj):Asha Bhosle sings this extremely intricate-sounding number to perfection.The ups & downs of the tune are exhilarating.
5.Mila Hai Kisika Jhumka(Parakh):A sweet song if there ever was one full of beautiful indian melody picturised on Sadhana.