Oct 22, 2008 03:08 PM
2578 Views
This purports to be a critique of Salil Choudhury's life's work.
Salil Choudhury was a genius and that is an understatement.Born in a tea garden in Assam, he learnt to play the flute as a kid.However his greatest influence was his father's collection of western music records.He later relocated to Calcutta.His first major hit was "Kone Ek Gayer Bodhu..." sung by Hemanta Mukherjee.It was the first non-Tagore, non-classical record to sell well.Indeed Chouhury's forte became the "adhunik" song.He experimented with all genres borrowing heavily from western classical traditions.Most of his great songs were sung by Lata Mangeshkar. He later travelled to Mumbai where he worked with Bimal Roy.Some of his finest tunes were made in the Mumbai phase.
I think he was at his best in the Sadhna-starrer 'Parakh'(1960).We all know about "O Sajna...".But the more melodious track was certainly "Mila Hai Kisi Ka Jhumka.".Indeed melody was his strength.Despite being influenced by the west no composer has made better use of melody than Salil Choudhury.Look at the songs he has created.Each is certainly a masterpiece.Thus we have "Rajnigandha Phool Tumhare", "Aaja Re Pardesi", "Bichua", "Zindagi Kaise Yeh Paheli Hai", "Jaaneman Jaaneman" and so on.Not to forget his contribution down south.Malayalam cinema regards him as their greatest composer-thats what the websites tell me.His great success down south was "Chemmeen".Its sad that he did not get his due in his lifetime.
