On the right note

He began in an era when the world of music was not half as savvy as it is today. A time when success did not come conveniently wrapped in a ...

He began in an era when the world of music was not half as savvy as it is today. A time when success did not come conveniently wrapped in a plethora of marketing gimmicks, snazzy videos and ready made tunes from the synthesizer. When all that counted was merit, back-breaking hard work and the ability to sustain the quality of your work. Which is what Pyarelal Sharma, along with partner, the late Laxmikant, based his work on. And which is also why the duo were able to achieve the kind of success that has lasted over four decades, striking the right chord with generations of Indians.

As 58 year-old Pyarelal Sharma, walked onto the stage of Jigar 2000, supported by Raj Thackeray and with his Ik Pyaar Ka Nagma Hai playing in the background, it was time to hear yet another commendable success story that had its genesis in abject poverty, with only a will to achieve as the music composer8217;s sole asset.

Rather than putting forth his life story in the form of an inspiring lecture, the silver haired Pyarelal preferred answering questions put to him, a task entrusted to journalist Amrish Mishra. Hailing from a music-loving family, Pyarelal8217;s foundation in the field was laid by his father, Ramprasad Sharma, who taught him both Indian Classical and Western music. 8220;From eight years of age I would train on the piano and violin for seven hours a day. Economic compulsions did not permit me to study beyond Std. Seven and at 12 years of age I joined Ranjeet Studio as a musician,8221; says Pyarelal.

Reminiscing about how he would come to sit on his bench at 7.45 a.m. for a nine o8217;clock recording, just to be able to say namaste to stalwarts like S.D. Burman or Chitragupt, Pyarelal recalled how no one would even return the greeting other than Siyaram. 8220;But that was just one of the many things a struggler has to accept. However when I achieved success I made it a point to wish the musician on the bench, if greeted by him and not walk past.8221;

Soon Pyarelal found a friend in another young musician in the orchestra, Laxmikant and the two decided to team up together progressing from musicians to music arrangers to finally music composers. 8220;By 16 years of age we had started to get noticed and Parasmani gave us a stature from where we never looked back8221;.

Replying to the query whether pairing up is an advantage or a disadvantage in the music world, Pyarelal was of the opinion that it8217;s both. 8220;To have a successful partnership, one needs to have a mature outlook and not be gullible. If someone praises your partner in front of you, you should take it in the right spirit. Laxmikant and I never had any altercations or ego problems. In fact I owe my success in film music to him as he dissuaded me from settling abroad, as I was all prepared to do in 1957-58. He insisted that I would get more fame in India and thankfully I took his advice,8221; smiles Pyarelal.

Giving tips to aspiring film music composers Pyarelal emphasised on the need to have a knowledge of both Western and Indian classical music. Plus, he felt, one should have a feel of the script so that one could place the right raag or background instrument according to the scene. 8220;Many people criticised our Choli Ke Peeche Kya Hai, but it suited the scene where the actor is shown as a rogue,8221;explained the veteran composer.

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Recognising the fact that the current generation has talent, he felt that where they flounder is in wanting instant success and concentrating more on fame and money rather than the quality of their work. 8220;And finally with all the talent and music sense in the world, there is one more quality that is indispensable to success 8211; being a good human being. That will sustain you during the times that your music may not,8221; concluded the living legend of the music world and the recipient of such note-worthy success.

Sunanda Mehta

Sunanda Mehta is the Resident Editor of The Indian Express in Pune. She is a distinguished journalist, columnist, and author with over three decades of experience in the media industry. Educational background: A merit-lister in her 12 th in CBSE (5th rank in Humanities) Sunanda stood first in History in the Board for which she was awarded the Dr Tarachand Gold Medal. She is a triple-graduate with a Bachelor of Arts (History Honours) from Lady Shri Ram College, New Delhi, Bachelor of Education, Delhi University (on scholarship) and Bachelor of Communication and Journalism, University of Pune. Professional Background Role: As Resident Editor, she oversees the Pune edition of The Indian Express, managing local news coverage, investigative features, and editorial direction for the city. Author: She is an accomplished author, known for her biographies. Her notable books include: The Extraordinary Life and Death of Sunanda Pushkar published by Pan Macmillan (2019). The book was long-listed for the Atta Galatta award for nonfiction and Auther award for best debut author. Majestic Musings - Translation of poems from 100 year old Badshaian from Punjabi to English (2023) Behind the Big Screen- the untold stories of child actors published by Bloomsbury India (2024) Focus Areas: While Sunanda has reported on various subjects from civic to political to investigative and crime, her forte remains long-form human-interest stories, heritage and gender issues. Core Column: "Against All Odds" Sunanda curates and writes a signature series titled "Against All Odds," which profiles individuals who have overcome significant personal, medical, or professional challenges. Recent notable articles (2025) The Story of Dr. Harinder Dhaliwal (July 2025): A Pune AFMC topper who became a neurologist in Canada despite becoming paraplegic. Jayoo Patwardhan’s Cancer Journey (Jan 2025): How the National Film Award-winning designer defeated cancer. Partha Iyengar’s Emergency mid-air (Aug 2025): The story of how Gartner’s India head survived a massive heart attack during a long-haul flight. Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025) Her recent reportage continues to explore deep personal narratives and Pune’s socio-environmental landscape: 1. Personal Narratives & Closure "'I grieved for him 10 years after his murder, found closure to unsolved case'" (Dec 14, 2025): A poignant feature on Vineet Alurkar, son of the late Pune music legend Suresh Alurkar, and how digitizing his father’s collection helped him heal. "A 40-day journey home: how Christopher Benninger's partner gave him the gift of memories" (Nov 23, 2025): A moving tribute to the late acclaimed architect Christopher Benninger and his final trip to the US. "'After 38 years I finally met my biological mother'" (Sept 28, 2025): Chronicling the journey of an adopted daughter from Zurich searching for her roots in Pune. 2. Civic & Heritage "'Vetal Tekdi belongs to common citizens'" (Oct 20, 2025): An interview with environmental activist Dr. Sushma Date on the community-led protection of Pune’s vital green lungs. "'Military village' Apshinge recalls living through war days" (Aug 12, 2025): A report from a village in Maharashtra where nearly every household has a member in the armed forces, focusing on their legacy and current anxieties. 3. High-Profile Commentary & Investigations "Malegaon blast acquittals: 'I was expecting this verdict'" (July 31, 2025): An interview with former special public prosecutor Rohini Salian following the controversial acquittals. "Grounded, license cancelled... she decided to soar higher" (March 30, 2025): The story of Dr. Harpreet A De Singh, Air India’s first woman pilot from 1988, and her transition to leadership and meditation. Signature Style Sunanda Mehta is known for her empathetic storytelling. Unlike standard news reporting, her features often read like narrative non-fiction, focusing on the psychological and emotional resilience of her subjects. One of her articles in The Indian Express titled 'The Quality of Mercy' was converted into a film Rubaru Roshini produced by actor Aamir Khan. She is a strong advocate for Pune's heritage and environment, frequently using her platform to amplify citizen-led movements. X (Twitter): @sunandamehta and @ExpressPune ... Read More