During my child hood, I always thought that Salilda was a Malayali. Almost all the super hit songs from movies like Chemmeen was composed by Salilda. The music was mesmerising and was quite different from the contemporary malayali music directors. He composed music for around 30 malayalam movies (next after Hindi and Bengali).
In his words "I want to compose music that transcends borders"
Great carnatic musicians like Thyagaraja Bhagawatar used to create something called "mudra" in their compositions. This is just like adding salt to food which will give the taste for food and we will realise that salt is added. Also, adding salt will give variety of taste to foods. Similarlly, we can identify the song was composed by Thyagaraja Bhagawatar because of the mudra.
Salilda is perhaps the only one music director whom we can identify with the music - We will feel that "Yeah - this seems to be a Salil Chowdhury Song" This does not mean that he used the same music to every song - but salil touch on music is something very special.
Something more about Salilda
- A scorpion born on November 19, 1922
Spent his child hood in Assam Tea Gardens where his father was employed
His father was having an Anti British spirit and this inspired young Salil
Also, his father’s collection of music was another inspiraton during childhood
Before independance days - salil was deeply attracted by the communist philosphies and used to write lyrics and poems.
He was sensitive with social issues and was deeply moved by Bengal Famine, Second World War -- also associated with Indian People Theatre Organisation and the songs he composed during this period is often described as : Songs of consciousness and awakening
- After independance, Salilda emerged as a professional music composer and started associating with filmy world
Salilda was one of the rarest music composers who was very good in playing music insturments like Piano, Violin and Flute. His mastery over multi instruments added value to the music he composed over years.
Music in Hindi Films
- Do Bhiga Zameen was an adaptation from famous Bengalie Movie - Rikshshaw wala and the music in Hindi was also composed by Salilda which was a great success
- K J Yesudas - who sang many songs for Salilda gave one of the most beautiful comment "’When Salil and I sat together by the piano and heard his compositions, I was overwhelmed by a divine feeling that his music brought and I have never felt this magnitude of divinity in any other composer’s music"
- I would like to pick some of the best compositions from Salilda
a) Chemmeen - Malayalam Movie (he introduced Mannaday also in One song)
b) Madhu Mati (suahana safar aur mausam haseen - a music with variations which we hear in ballets)
c) Anand - Heart Breaking songs - even today I cry after listening to this songs
d) Choti Si Baat - Light music with lots of fun, merry making, longing for love
e) Abhayam - (background score for Malayalam movie)
f) Nellu (Another malayalam movie where he introduced Lata Mangeshkar)
g) Rajnigandha
h) Mere Apne
i) Awaz
j) Half Ticket
List is long and hence stopping here ----
Even today I used to attend Durga Puja to listen to those songs composed by Salilda.
My salute to the master genius.
Loka Samasta Sukhino Bhavantu