Hindi film songs are a National passion throughout India. Perhaps Hindi film music is one link that binds a variety of Indians, speaking different languages, practicing different religions, belonging to different ethnic groups together and serves as a common linkage between people of Indian origin…Indian Diaspora spread all over the world. Ever since the films became’talkie’in 40s, millions of film songs have been composed, and are listened to everyday by Indians all over the world.
In addition to India, Indian film music is popular all over South Asia, Saarc, Mid east, and parts of Africa. Bollywood has given birth to a music industry of its own which has not only contributed richly to our cultural landscape, but also has produced a great number of talented artistes: lyricists, singers, musicians and above all composers who in bollywood lingo are known as Music Directors.
Following 5 Music directors have made significant contribution to the Hindi film music industry and are my choice of Top 5.
Naushad: The Bheeshma pitamaha of hinid film music, joined film industry in 30s and in his over 60 years of association with hinid films, has composed music for 66 films. Naushad was the first trailblazer who heralded a new era with his first major hit’Ratan’ in 1944. His music in films like Baiju Bawra, Mughal e azam, Andaz, Kohinoor, Mother India, Gunga Jamuna, Mere Mehboob and Ram aur Shyam(1967) is unforgettable. Naushad used Hindustani classical music as the dominant base for his music. He also managed to persuade top stalwarts, classical vocalists like Pt.D V Paluskar, Ustad Amir Khan, and Ustad Bade Ghulam Ali Khan to sing for his films. Naushad’s contribution is great, and till date he remains an icon, an inspiration, and a symbol of greatness of Indian music.
Shanker-Jaikishen: This duo exploded on Hindi film scene early 50s, and changed the scenario for ever, A new format, a new grammar, a newstyle and trend was started by SJ thus became a benchmark for many a composers to follow till Anu Malik. SJ composed music for a phenomenal 179 films! Some of their best music was from Awaara, Chor chori, Shree 420, anari, Dil apna aur preet parayee, Hariyali aur rasta, Asli Nakli, Junglee, Professor, Jab pyar kismse hota hai, Sasural, Sangam, Raj Kumar, and to Mera naam joker.
O P Nayyar: A true rebel, and another trailblazer who set the box office afire with his superbly popular, distinctively styled music from 1952 to 1993. His music from Tumsa nahin dekha, Naya daur, Mere sanam, Kashmir ki kali, Phir wohi dil, Sawan ki ghata, Kismat etc. still remains popular and unbeatable.
R D Burman: 1961 to 1994. Composed music for nearly 50 films. Very unconventional, experimental, and totally a new style which was very different from the established norms. This immensely talented son of great s D Burman, carved out a niche for himself. His music in Bhoot bangla(1965) got noticed, and then came Teesri Manzil in 1966, there was no looking back for Pancham. A string of hits followed one after another, Aandhi, Kati patang, Amar prem, Sholay, Mehbooba, Izazat, Yadon ki barat, Hum kisise kum nahin, Hare rama hare krishna, Khushboo, Kinara, Parichay, Jawani diwani, Sagar and his last hit 1942 a love story came after his death. A great talent was snatched away too early.
A R Rehman: Another great composer with a new stylem western music fused with Hindustani and Carnatic styles of Indian classical music for the first time ever. ARR has set a new trend which every musician is trying to ape. With Roja he created a new sound. Rangeela, Bombay, Dilse, Taal, and Lagaan have created new records scaling new peaks.
Other 5 great composers who eminently qualify to be included in the top 10 are: Madan Mohan, Roshan, S D Burman, C Ramchandra, and Laxmikant Pyarelal.