Music forms an integral part of every Indian movie.The films are aptly termed “musicals.”I have always been in awe of composers.Thinking out of the box is commendable but thinking in melodies is a gift.Composers are musical visionaries.I engage in frequent, albeit endless discussions with my musically inclined family on who the legends of the current Hindi music scene are.Although we seem to agree on the shortlisted few, there is always much debate and disagreement on their rankings.I list my favorites in order of preference.

MUSIC COMPOSERS

  1. A.R.Rahman : For me he is the undisputed king.He splashed onto the music scene with his debut hit ROJA and since then there has been no looking back for this maestro.His music transcends borders and genres-rock,pop,reggae,soft rock-all have been explored by Rahman.Every song of his has a distinct Rahman stamp that regular listeners will recognize with ease but will find difficult to put a finger on.Such is his genius.He recently composed the score for Elizabeth:The GOlden Age and also the theatre adaptation of the Lord of the RIngs Trilogy.My favorite Rahman compostion is and will always be the Bombay Theme Song*.Also,the Airtel tune is one of the best jingles I have heard.Rangeela, Taal, Dil Se,Lagaan,Guru*and most recently Jodha Akbar* are some of his masterpieces.

  2. Shankar -Ehsaan -Loy: The trio was the mastermind behind the revolutionary Dil Chahta Hai album.They sparked off a new era of fusion. All songs from their debut album became instant hits and were to a large extent also responsible for the youth-appeal of the movie.They have since gone from strength to strength belting out melodious tunes like Kal Ho Na Ho* and Maa* and chart -topping numbers such as Move your Body and Aaj Ki Raat.Their USP lies in the varied musical background of the group-Shankar’s classical vocals,Ehsaan’s western rock influence and Loy’s mastery over the Electronic Synthesizer.

  3. Vishal-Shekhar:This duo is here with a bang and is fast gaining great popularity amongst the Indian audience. They were made to collaborate as guest composers on their first film “Pyar Main Kabhi Kabhi*” and since then they have been working together.While Pyar Main.. was appreciated and well-received,it was Jhankaar Beats that brought them fame. Each song was a musical masterpiece and a true tribute to R.D.Burman. Tu Hain Aasmaan* is sure to list in the top song choices of many.They also brought the very first Hip-Hop song Right Here Right Now* to the Indian music scene, ably using the talents of Abhishek and Sunidhi.Each album aims to differentiate itself from the previous and it does so with great aplomb.Vishal and Shekhar represent the youth of India.They are the new Shankar Ehsaan Loy.Their latest offering Tashan boasts of tunes that have never been heard before and in doing so lives up to the title of the film-blazing down one’s path in style and with attitude.Both composers are exceptional singers and while Vishal has done a bit of playback and is the lead vocalist of his band Pentagram,Shekhar is more happy composing.I wish he would sing more though.His early Sa Re Ga Ma days are proof to his vocal talents.

  4. Ismail Darbar:Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam made everyone fall in love with folk music.Devdas revived classical music.The compositions Bairi Piya* and Kahe Chedd Mohe* were as rich and oppulent as Madhuri’s outfit.Velvet dipped in honey and sprinkled with rose essence-thats the imagery of Darbar’s music in my mind.Although, the movies Kisna and Tera Jadoo Chal Gaya bombed at the box office,their music continues to have a lasting impact.

  5. Himesh Reshamiyya:You can hat e him.You can love him.But you cant ignore him.This man has rocked the world of music.His sufi-esque tunes had everybody swinging their heads as if in a trance.While he may not be the best singer in the block,this man knows his music and more importantly understands audience demands.Almost every disco in the country has much to owe to “Aashiq Banaya” Reshamaiyya.Personally,his best composition so far has been Tere Naam.Lilting tunes were coupled with songs of pure passion and madness.”Heemes bhai,aap cha gaye ho” (Brother,Himesh,you have swept u s all).

  6. Jatin-Lalit:The sibling duo are along with Rahman the most experienced of those mentioned in my list and are veterans.Their style is very bollywood-ish;simple,pure,romantic,soothing and refreshing but the melodies remain embedded in our minds.Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge,Kabhi Kushi Kabhi Gham,Raju Chacha,Aankhien,Chalte Chalte,and Sarfarosh are some of their famous contributions as music directors.Hum Tum was a departure from their usual style and was catered more to young audience but it worked wonders.Sad ly,the duo split in 2005.Fanaa was their last creation together and it was a classic.Chaand Sifar ish and Mere Hath Main were the most popular songs of 2006.I hope they patch up in the future and do the music world a great favour.

While that completes the list of my favorite composers it surely doesnot end my article on the music industry.Songs would be incomplete without the singers and I will explore this aspect in another post.Having said that,it would be unfair to ignore those who laid the foundation for the Hindi film industry.No article will be complete without the mention of musical greats such as RD Burman,SD Burman,OP Nayyar,Laxmikanth Pyarelal,Mohd Rafi,Kishore Kumar,Lata Mangaeshkar,Asha Bhosle and like.We are truly indebted to them.

*Some of these songs and those belonging to the composers mentioned above can be found in the BOX-NET widget in the sidebar.Listen and enjoy!