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Journalism of Courage
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 composer’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, Pyarelal’s foundation in the field was laid by his father, Ramprasad Sharma, who taught him both Indian Classical and Western music. “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,” says Pyarelal.
Reminiscing about how he would come to sit on his bench at 7.45 a.m. for a nine o’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. “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.”
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. “By 16 years of age we had started to get noticed and Parasmani gave us a stature from where we never looked back”.
Replying to the query whether pairing up is an advantage or a disadvantage in the music world, Pyarelal was of the opinion that it’s both. “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,” 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. “Many people criticised our Choli Ke Peeche Kya Hai, but it suited the scene where the actor is shown as a rogue,”explained the veteran composer.
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. “And finally with all the talent and music sense in the world, there is one more quality that is indispensable to success – being a good human being. That will sustain you during the times that your music may not,” concluded the living legend of the music world and the recipient of such note-worthy success.
