Ravi Shankar Sharma (3 March 1926 – 7 March 2012), often referred
mononymously as Ravi, was an Indian music director who had composed music for several
Hindi
Modern Standard Hindi (, ), commonly referred to as Hindi, is the Standard language, standardised variety of the Hindustani language written in the Devanagari script. It is an official language of India, official language of the Government ...
and
Malayalam film
Malayalam cinema, also referred to as Mollywood, is a segment of Indian cinema dedicated to producing films in the Malayalam language, primarily spoken in Kerala and the Lakshadweep islands. It encompasses both the mainstream film industry ...
s.
After a successful career in
Hindi cinema
Hindi cinema, popularly known as Bollywood and formerly as Bombay cinema, is primarily produced in Mumbai. The popular term Bollywood is a portmanteau of "Bombay" (former name of Mumbai) and "Cinema of the United States, Hollywood". The in ...
, he took a hiatus in the 1970s and made a successful comeback in 1982 in the Malayalam music scene under the stage name Bombay Ravi.
Biography
Ravi was born in
Delhi
Delhi, officially the National Capital Territory (NCT) of Delhi, is a city and a union territory of India containing New Delhi, the capital of India. Straddling the Yamuna river, but spread chiefly to the west, or beyond its Bank (geography ...
on 3 March 1926. He had no formal training in
classical music
Classical music generally refers to the art music of the Western world, considered to be #Relationship to other music traditions, distinct from Western folk music or popular music traditions. It is sometimes distinguished as Western classical mu ...
; instead he learned music by listening to his father sing
bhajan
Bhajan is an Indian term for any devotional song with a religious theme or spiritual ideas, specifically among Dharmic religions, in any language. The term bhajanam (Sanskrit: भजनम्) means ''reverence'' and originates from the root w ...
s. In 1947 he went meet the famous singer
Mohammed Rafi
Mohammed Rafi (24 December 1924 – 31 July 1980) was an Indian playback singer. He is considered to have been one of the greatest and most influential singers of the Indian subcontinent. Rafi was notable for his versatility and range of voice ...
who was singing at the independence day celebration event ‘Jashn e Jamhooriat’ at the Coronation Hotel, Fatehpur, Delhi. He told Rafi that he wanted to be music director. According to Ravi,
Mohammed Rafi
Mohammed Rafi (24 December 1924 – 31 July 1980) was an Indian playback singer. He is considered to have been one of the greatest and most influential singers of the Indian subcontinent. Rafi was notable for his versatility and range of voice ...
advised him to first learn music and notation.
He taught himself to play
harmonium
The pump organ or reed organ is a type of organ that uses free reeds to generate sound, with air passing over vibrating thin metal strips mounted in a frame. Types include the pressure-based harmonium, the suction reed organ (which employs a va ...
and other classical instruments and worked as an electrician at the Post and Telegraph, Delhi,
to support his family. In 1950, he decided to shift to Bombay and become a professional singer. At first Ravi was homeless, living on the streets and sleeping on
Malad railway station at night. Later, he lived in a tin house before he became a success story.
In 1952, Ravi was discovered by
Hemant Kumar
Hemanta Mukhopadhyay (16 June 1920 – 26 September 1989), known professionally as Hemanta Mukherjee and Hemant Kumar, was an Indian music director and a playback singer who primarily sang in Bengali and Hindi, along with several other India ...
who hired him to sing backing vocals in ''
Vande Mataram
Vande Mātaram (Bengali language, Original Bengali: বন্দে মাতরম্ ''Bônde Mātôrôm'' Devanagari script: वंदे मातरम्; , Transcreation: I Bow to Thee, Mother) is a poem that was adopted as the nati ...
'' from the film ''
Anand Math'' (1952 film).
Hemant Kumar was not very familiar with
Urdu language
Urdu (; , , ) is an Indo-Aryan languages, Indo-Aryan language spoken chiefly in South Asia. It is the Languages of Pakistan, national language and ''lingua franca'' of Pakistan. In India, it is an Eighth Schedule to the Constitution of Indi ...
, so Ravi would help him out.
Ravi composed several hit songs and received
Filmfare
''Filmfare'' is an Indian English-language fortnightly magazine published by Worldwide Media. Acknowledged as one of India's most popular entertainment magazines, it publishes pieces involving news, interviews, photos, videos, reviews, events, ...
nominations for the following films: ''
Chaudhvin Ka Chand'' (1960), ''
Do Badan'' (1966), ''
Hamraaz'' (1967), ''
Ankhen'' (1968), and ''
Nikaah'' (1982). He won
Filmfare
''Filmfare'' is an Indian English-language fortnightly magazine published by Worldwide Media. Acknowledged as one of India's most popular entertainment magazines, it publishes pieces involving news, interviews, photos, videos, reviews, events, ...
awards for ''
Gharana
In Hindustani music (North Indian classical music), a ''gharānā'' is a system of social organisation in the Indian subcontinent, linking musicians or dancers by lineage or apprenticeship, and more importantly by adherence to a particular musi ...
'' (1961) and ''
Khandan'' (1965).
His other successful films include ''
Waqt'', ''
Neel Kamal'' and ''
Gumraah''. His songs ''Aaj mere yaar ki shaadi hai'', ''Babul ki duyaen leti ja'', ''Doli chadh ke dulhan sasural chali'' and ''Mere Yaar Bana hai Dulha'' became very popular in wedding celebrations.
Ravi was one of the music directors who shaped the career of
Asha Bhosle
Asha Bhosle (; ; born 8 September 1933) is an Indian playback singer, entrepreneur, actress and television personality who predominantly works in Indian cinema. Known for her versatility, she has been described in the media as one of the ...
with songs like ''Tora man darpan kehlaye'', ''Aage bhi jane na tu '' and ''Sun le Pukar Aai''. He was also instrumental in making
Mahendra Kapoor
Mahendra Kapoor (9 January 1934 – 27 September 2008) was an Indian playback singer. In a long career spanning decades, his repertoire included popular songs such as ''Chalo ekbaar phir se Ajnabi ban jayen hum dono'' ( Gumrah) and ''Neele Gagan ...
a popular singer in
Bollywood
Hindi cinema, popularly known as Bollywood and formerly as Bombay cinema, is primarily produced in Mumbai. The popular term Bollywood is a portmanteau of "Bombay" (former name of Mumbai) and "Cinema of the United States, Hollywood". The in ...
. After a successful career in Hindi films during the 1950s and 1960s, he took a long break after 1970 till 1982. In 1982, he gave music for the Hindi film ''
Nikaah'',
and one of the film's songs ''Dil ke armaan aansooyon main beh gaye'' sung by
Salma Agha
Salma Agha (born 29 October 1954) is a British singer and actress who worked in Pakistani and Indian films in the 1980s and the early 1990s. She is best known for her acting and singing the song "Dil ke Armaan" in the film ''Nikaah'' (1982).
...
won her the
Filmfare Best Female Playback Award.
In the 1980s, he made a comeback as a music director in
Malayalam
Malayalam (; , ) is a Dravidian languages, Dravidian language spoken in the Indian state of Kerala and the union territories of Lakshadweep and Puducherry (union territory), Puducherry (Mahé district) by the Malayali people. It is one of ...
(and some Hindi) films as Bombay Ravi. During 1986, the Malayalam director
Hariharan convinced him to make this comeback.
The first movie was ''
Panchagni''. The songs ''Saagarangale'' and ''Aa raatri maanju poyi'' (sung by
Yesudas and
Chitra) were hits. That same year, Hariharan's ''
Nakhakshathangal
''Nakhakshathangal'' () is a 1986 Indian Malayalam-language film directed by Hariharan, written by M. T. Vasudevan Nair and starring Monisha, Vineeth, and Saleema. Monisha, in her film debut, won the National Film Award for Best Actress. The f ...
'' also came out and Chithra won her second National Award for the song ''Manjalprasaadavum'' from the same film. All the songs from the Malayalam movie ''
Vaisali'' released in 1989 were super hits and Chithra won her third National Award for the song ''Indupushpam Choodi Nilkum'' from the same film. Ravi was a constant in Hariharan films and their combination is regarded as one of the best ever in Malayalam. Ravi has composed for many films produced by South Indian banners: ''Ghoonghat'', ''Gharana'' ''Grihasti'', ''Aurat'', ''Samaj ko badal dalo'' (Gemini), ''Meherban'', ''Do Kaliyan'' (AVM), ''Bharosa'', and ''Khandan'' (Vasu Films).
Ravi's most notable work is with Chopra brothers. From Gumrah he continuously worked with
Sahir Ludhianvi, the lyricist. Waqt, Humraaz, Admi aur Insan, Dhund, Nikah and Dehleez were among his all-time hit films He was very comfortable with Sahir and gave beautiful tunes to his poetry also for Aaj aur kal, Kajal, Ankhein, Neelkamal, Do kaliyan, Amanat, Ganga tera pani amrit, and Ek mahal ho sapno ka.
Personal life
Ravi's wife Kanti, whom he married in 1946, died in 1986.
He had two daughters Veena and Chhaya and a son Ajay. His estranged son Ajay is married to
Varsha Usgaonkar
Varsha Usgaonkar (born 28 February 1968) is an Indian actress, model, singer and television personality. Referred to as the "Wonder girl of Marathi cinema," she has appeared in over 100 Marathi and Hindi films. She is regarded as one of the m ...
who is a
Marathi
Marathi may refer to:
*Marathi people, an Indo-Aryan ethnolinguistic group of Maharashtra, India
**Marathi people (Uttar Pradesh), the Marathi people in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh
*Marathi language, the Indo-Aryan language spoken by the Mar ...
and Hindi film actress. They are estranged due to a property dispute. One of his daughters was living with him and taking care of him since his wife's death.
Ravi died on 7 March 2012 in Mumbai at the age of 86.
Awards
*
Padma Shri
The Padma Shri (IAST: ''padma śrī'', lit. 'Lotus Honour'), also spelled Padma Shree, is the fourth-highest Indian honours system, civilian award of the Republic of India, after the Bharat Ratna, the Padma Vibhushan and the Padma Bhushan. In ...
Award by the
Government of India
The Government of India (ISO 15919, ISO: Bhārata Sarakāra, legally the Union Government or Union of India or the Central Government) is the national authority of the Republic of India, located in South Asia, consisting of States and union t ...
in 1971
*
National Film Award for Best Music Direction
The National Film Award for Best Music Direction (the Silver Lotus Award) is an honour presented annually at the National Film Awards by the National Film Development Corporation of India to a musician who has composed the best score for films ...
(1994), Parinayam, Sukrutham
*
Kerala State Film Award for Best Music Director (1986, 1992), Nakhakshathangal, Sargam
* Kerala State Film Award for Best Background Music (1993), Ghazal
*
Filmfare Award for Best Music Director – Malayalam for ''
Parinayam'' – 1994
*
Filmfare Award
The Filmfare Awards are annual awards that honour artistic and technical excellence in the Indian cinema.Al The Filmfare ceremony is one of the most famous film events in India. The awards were introduced by Filmfare magazine of The Time ...
for Best Music Director, (1962, 1966) in films ''
Gharana
In Hindustani music (North Indian classical music), a ''gharānā'' is a system of social organisation in the Indian subcontinent, linking musicians or dancers by lineage or apprenticeship, and more importantly by adherence to a particular musi ...
'' (1961), ''
Khandan'' (1965)
* Sanskriti Kalashree Award (2006–07), Chennai, Tamil Nadu
Filmography
Telugu
* ''Sarigamalu'' (1994)
Punjabi
* ''Sajjan Thug'' (1981)
* ''
Sassi Punnu'' (1983)
Hindi
Ravi was responsible for a number of hit tunes of Hindi film songs. His music went on to inspire later day music directors too. The opening bars of "Chanda Mama Door Ke" inspired the tune for the hit song "
Ek Do Teen" in the 1988 film ''
Tezaab
''Tezaab'' () is a 1988 Indian Hindi-language action romance film starring Anil Kapoor and Madhuri Dixit in lead roles. The film gave Dixit her first big break, making her an overnight star in addition to reaffirming Kapoor's star status, after ...
''. Ravi is reportedly quoted as saying, "Since I choose written poetry to compose, the lyricist and the composer have full freedom to write and compose."
* ''
Vachan'' (1955)
* ''
Albeli'' (1955)
* ''
Inspector
Inspector, also police inspector or inspector of police, is a police rank. The rank or position varies in seniority depending on the organization that uses it.
Australia
The rank of Inspector is present in all Australian police forces excep ...
'' (1956) as music assistant
* ''
Ek Saal'' (1957)
* ''
Narsi Bhagat'' (1957)
* ''
Dilli Ka Thug'' (1958)
* ''
Dulhan'' (1958)
* ''
Ghar Sansar'' (1958)
* ''
Mehndi
Mehndi () is a form of temporary skin decoration using a paste created with henna. In the West, mehndi is commonly known as henna tattoo, although it is not a permanent tattoo.
Mehndi is a popular form of body art in South Asia and resembl ...
'' (1958)
* ''
Chirag Kahan Roshni Kahan'' (1959)
* ''Jawani Ki Hawa'' (1959)
* ''Nai Raahen'' (1959)
* ''
Apna Ghar
''Apna Ghar'' is a Bollywood film. It was released in 1942.
Cast
*Shanta Apte
Shanta Apte (1916–1964) was an Indian actress-singer who worked in Marathi language, Marathi and Hindi cinema. Renowned for her roles in films like ''Duniya Na ...
'' (1960)
* ''
Chaudhvin Ka Chand'' (1960)
* ''
Ghunghat'' (1960)
* ''
Tu Nahin Aur Sahi'' (1960)
* ''Modern Girl'' (1961)
* ''
Gharana
In Hindustani music (North Indian classical music), a ''gharānā'' is a system of social organisation in the Indian subcontinent, linking musicians or dancers by lineage or apprenticeship, and more importantly by adherence to a particular musi ...
'' (1961)
* ''
Nazrana'' (1961)
* ''
Pyaar Ka Saagar'' (1961)
* ''Wanted'' (1961)
* ''Salaam Memsaheb'' (1961)
* ''
China Town
Chinatown ( zh, t=唐人街) is the catch-all name for an ethnic enclave of Chinese people located outside Greater China, most often in an urban setting. Areas known as "Chinatown" exist throughout the world, including Europe, Asia, Africa, O ...
'' (1962)
* ''
Baaje Ghungroo'' (1962)
* ''
Rakhi'' (1962)
* ''
Tower House
A tower house is a particular type of stone structure, built for defensive purposes as well as habitation. Tower houses began to appear in the Middle Ages, especially in mountainous or limited access areas, to command and defend strategic points ...
'' (1962)
* ''
Girls' Hostel'' (1962)
* ''
Isi Ka Naam Duniya Hai'' (1962)
* ''Bombay Ka Chor'' (1962)
* ''
Aaj Aur Kal'' (1963)
* ''
Gehra Daag'' (1963)
* ''
Gumrah'' (1963)
* ''Pyar Ka Bandhan'' (1963)
* ''
Nartaki'' (1963)
* ''
Ustadon Ke Ustaad'' (1963)
* ''
Yeh Rastey Hain Pyar Ke
''Yeh Rastey Hain Pyar Ke'' () is a 1963 Hindi crime drama film starring Sunil Dutt and Leela Naidu in the lead roles. This film was Sunil Dutt's debut production, directed by R.K. Nayyar, with music composed by Ravi. Dutt's favourite writer ...
'' (1963)
* ''
Bharosa'' (1963)
* ''
Mulzim'' (1963)
* ''
Pyaar Kiya To Darna Kya'' (1963)
* ''
Grahasti'' (1963)
* ''
Kaun Apna Kaun Paraya'' (1963)
* ''Door Ki Awaz'' (1964)
* ''
Shehnai
The ''shehnai'' is a type of oboe from the Indian subcontinent. It is made of wood, with a double reed at one end and a metal or wooden flared bell at the other end. It was one of the nine instruments found in the royal court. The shehnai is sim ...
'' (1964)
* ''
Kaajal'' (1965)
* ''
Khandan'' (1965)
* ''
Waqt'' (1965)
* ''
Bahu Beti'' (1965)
* ''
Do Badan'' (1966)
* ''
Dus Lakh'' (1966)
* ''
Phool Aur Patthar'' (1966)
* ''
Sagaai'' (1966)
* ''
Yeh Zindagi Kitni Haseen Hai'' (1966)
* ''
Aurat'' (1967)
* ''
Hamraaz'' (1967)
* ''
Mehrban'' (1967)
* ''
Nai Roshni'' (1967)
* ''
Aankhen'' (1968)
* ''
Do Kaliyan'' (1968)
* ''
Gauri'' (1968)
* ''Man Ka Meet'' (1968)
* ''
Neel Kamal'' (1968)
* ''
Paisa Ya Pyaar'' (1969)
* ''
Aadmi Aur Insaan'' (1969)
* ''
Anmol Moti'' (1969)
* ''
Badi Didi'' (1969)
* ''
Doli'' (1969)
* ''
Ek Phool Do Mali'' (1969)
* ''
Samaj Ko Badal Dalo'' (1970)
* ''Chingari'' (1971)
* ''
Babul Ki Galiyaan'' (1972)
* ''
Dharkan'' (1972)
* ''Naag Panchami'' (1972)
* ''
Dhund'' (1973)
* ''
Mehmaan'' (1973)
* ''
Sone Ke Hath'' (1973)
* ''Ghatana'' (1974)
* ''
Ek Mahal Ho Sapno Ka'' (1975)
* ''Vandana'' (1975)
* ''
Amaanat'' (1977)
* ''
Aadmi Sadak Ka'' (1977)
* ''Premika'' (1980)
* ''
Nikaah'' (1982)
* ''
Aaj Ki Awaz'' (1984)
* ''Mujhe Shaktee Do'' (1984)
* ''
Hum Do Hamare Do'' (1984)
* ''
Tawaif
A ''tawaif'' () was a highly successful courtesan singer‚ dancer‚ and poet who catered to the nobility of the Indian subcontinent, particularly during the Mughal era. Many tawaifs (" nautch girls" to the British) were forced to go into pro ...
'' (1985)
* ''
Khamosh Nigahen'' (1986)
* ''
Dahleez'' (1986)
* ''
Awam'' (1987)
* ''Ghar Ka Sukh'' (1987)
* ''Meraa Suhaag'' (1987)
* ''
Ek Alag Mausam
''Ek Alag Mausam'' () (Hindi: एक अलग मौसम) is a 2003 Hindi movie directed by K. P. Sasi with Nandita Das, Anupam Kher and Rajit Kapur in the lead roles. Renuka Shahane, Arundathi Nag, Sreelatha and Sally Dynevor are in the ...
'' (2003)
Malayalam (as Bombay Ravi and Ravi Bombay)
* ''
Panchagni'' (1986)
* ''
Nakhakshathangal
''Nakhakshathangal'' () is a 1986 Indian Malayalam-language film directed by Hariharan, written by M. T. Vasudevan Nair and starring Monisha, Vineeth, and Saleema. Monisha, in her film debut, won the National Film Award for Best Actress. The f ...
'' (1986)
* ''
Vaishali'' (1988)
* ''
Oru Vadakkan Veeragatha
''Oru Vadakkan Veeragatha'' (), credited internationally as ''A Northern Story of Valor'', is a subplot of Vadakkan Pattukal, a medieval ballad from North Malabar and is often regarded as a classic in Malayalam cinema. The film won four Nation ...
'' (1989)
* ''
Vidhyarambham'' (1990)
* ''
Sargam'' (1992)
* ''
Ghazal
''Ghazal'' is a form of amatory poem or ode, originating in Arabic poetry that often deals with topics of spiritual and romantic love. It may be understood as a poetic expression of both the pain of loss, or separation from the beloved, and t ...
'' (1993)
* ''
Patheyam'' (1993)
* ''
Parinayam'' (1994)
* ''
Sukrutham'' (1994)
* ''Kalivaakku'' (not released) (1996)
* ''
Five Star Hospital'' (1997)
* ''
Manassil Oru Manjuthulli'' (2000)
* ''
Mayookham'' (2005)
Non-movie audio album (Malayalam)
* ''
Aavani Kanavukal'' (1997)
References
External links
*
An interview with ''The Hindu''Bombay Ravi at MSI (in Malayalam)
{{DEFAULTSORT:Ravi
Malayalam film score composers
Filmfare Awards winners
Kerala State Film Award winners
2012 deaths
1926 births
Filmfare Awards South winners
Hindi film score composers
Best Music Direction National Film Award winners
20th-century Indian musicians
Telugu film score composers
Recipients of the Padma Shri in arts