Legends

Jaidev – A Sensitive Songsmith

By Deepa | August 3, 2015

Jinxed, unsung, unlucky are some of the words associated with Jaidev. True he never got due recognition inspite of 3 National awards, infact he was the first music director to get 3 National awards. Jaidev was always crisp, exhilarating and mellifluous with his tunes. Be it film or non film music, his tunes were richly textured.
Born in Kenya on 3rd August 1918, Jaidev spent a part of his childhood in Ludhiana. He eloped to Bombay to become an actor while still a teenager. Thereafter he worked as an actor in movies like Hunterwali (1935) and Frontier Mail (1936) and a few more movies under Wadia Film Company.

(Jaidev credited as an actor in Frontier Mail)

But music was initiated in him by one of his professors in Ludhiana. His real music journey began when he learnt music under the tutelage of Ustad Ali Akbar Khan with whom he later worked as an assistant in Navketan’s Aandhiyan and Humsafar. Jaidev later assisted S.D.Burman till he got an independent break in 1955 – Joru Ka Bhai. Jaidev – a name which reminds all us music lovers of the incomparable melodies. The aural ambrosias he has served, provided all that is needed for those sweet musical cravings. He had a fascination towards poems. He understood the depth of the poetry and the sensitivity around the words and set tunes accordingly. His music makes you aware of the tenderness and sensitivity of a female heart and mind. Going through his work, one would find just the right amount of flamboyance in Raat bhi hai kuch bheegi bheegi…., or deep satisfied love in Ye dil aur unki nigahon ke saaye…, devoted love in Tu chanda main chandni…, the smitten love in Tumhein dekhti hun toh lagta hai aise …., or even the commitment in Dukh aur sukh ke raaste and these songs reflect a woman’s heart. Various examples of a woman’s love. His imaginative approach towards music makes his compositions tender. He’s equally good at non film albums too. He’s someone whose music can be enjoyed without the visuals. Providing serenity and stability to one’s mind. Jaidev’s style of composing a song has always uplifted the beauty of poems. He’s also enhanced the subtle beauties of the film lyrics.
Here are a few such songs of Jaidev which bring out the feelings and emotions of a woman’s heart.
1.Hum Dono (1960)