Extraordinary rendition

Savere Savere8217; and 8216;Chhupo Na Chhupo Na Woh Pyari Sajaniyan8217;, sway to the lilting melody of 8216;Madbhari Rut Jawani Hai8217; and 8216;Aayi Bahar Aaj Aayi Bahar8217;, and march to the martial beat of 8216;Pran Chahe Nain Na Chahe8217;. Whenever I did well in an exam, 8216;Aaj Apni Mehnaton Ka Mujhko Samra Mil Gaya8217; would echo constantly in my mind!

Pankaj Mullick grew up in a musical environment as his father, Monimohan Mullick, was very fond of music and used to invite musicians to sing and play at his house. Pankaj then met the Tagore family and was fascinated by the great poet8217;s work, and won his approval to turn the poems into music. Steeped in tradition, he was also a great innovator and introduced the tabla and other instruments which were till then taboo in Rabindra Sangeet.

Among his other pioneering feats were the introduction of western instruments and playback singing in Indian films. He was the founder of the concept of 8216;tonga song8217; with his immortal 8216;Piya Milan Ko Jana8217;. He directed and composed the biggest hits of K.L.Saigal such as 8216;Soja Rajkumari8217;, 8216;Main Kya Janoo Kya Jadoo Hai8217;, 8216;Ai Katibe Taqdeer8217;, 8216;Do Naina Matware8217; and the Devdas hit song 8216;Balam Aye Baso More Man Main8217;.

In films like 8216;Kapal Kundala8217;, 8216;Nartaki8217; and 8216;Doctor8217;, he was not only the music director, composer and singer but the actor as well.

Among the many honours that he won were the Dada Saheb Phalke award in 1973 and the Padma Shri in 1970. Pandit Nehru requested him to sing and record 8216;Jana Gana Mana8217; in a style that set the standard for the singing of the national anthem. At the TV launch in India he was invited to sing the inaugural song on Doordarshan in Delhi.

He may have passed away but his music will live forever.