Mixed Bag of 10 songs which show versatility of Music Director Ravi

Success of any sort of music or the lyrics of a song can be fathomed by its being popular with common people. Eventually some songs become very popular, irrespective of the mood of the song. Many such songs which people hum or sing in their day to day life but they do not know or remember the music director of that particular song. Music Director Ravi has such connect with his audiences. He might not be a very known name or might be having lesser number of fans. But his music has certainly entered our lives in some way or the other and is there to stay with us.

Ravi Shankar Sharma, born on 3rd March 1926, liked to be called and became famous, with his mononym Ravi. He happens to be one of the most talented but underrated Music Directors in Indian Film Industry. He has left behind him a gigantic repertoire of songs which were composed in unique way. 50s-60s, which are considered as the golden era of Hindi films, had the music mines full of riches with the likes of Naushad, O P Nayyar, S D Burman, Shankar-Jaikishen to name a few. One of the lesser known music director from that era was Ravi. There are many movies with his music where almost all songs were huge hits and are popular even today. Ravi had a long career, spanning over three decades. He has given music to many long forgotten films but are known because of its music. Apart from Hindi, he also gave music to some films in Gujrati and Malayalam. He was known as “Bombay Ravi” in the Malayalam industry.
Here’s his mixed bag of songs which will surprise you with its popularity ( of the song). No matter what the mood of the song is, its melody remains intact.
1. Ae meri zohara jabeen (Waqt) –
A cult classic song, is so popular that it has been used and reused in the new age Hindi cinema. Laced with the traces of Pathani-Afghani music, this song gives goosebumps even today. Waqt is considered as the first multi starrer of Hindi film industry, which had all hit songs composed by Ravi.
https://youtu.be/Zm7vxgjrRAU

2. Chaudhavin ka chaand ho (Chaudhavin Ka Chaand) –
This Rafi solo is a dream come true for every man wooing his girl and appreciating her beauty. The immortal honey dipped song which saw first time partnership of Ravi – Shakeel Badayuni. The dreamily melodious song which epitomizes romance.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wRbBORKhGYg

3. Zindagi ittefaq hai ( Aadmi Aur Insaan) –
If you thought cabaret doesn’t sound seductive with melody, here’s a cabaret by Ravi which is sultry, seductive and melodious at the same time. A song where Ravi uses western tunes and instruments and still makes it melodious, stylish and very fashionable.
https://youtu.be/BFuVggdVwCI

4. Jab chali thandi hawa ( Do Badan) –
Missing someone in life? Which song comes to your mind impromptu? ……….mujhko ae jaan e wafa, tum yaad aaye………the lyrics which become memorable because of its music. Its delicate and pleasant at the same time. The depth of sadness can be measured even if you don’t watch the song. That’s the imapct of Ravi’s music.

5. Sab kuch luta ke hosh mein aaye ( Ek Saal) –
The song full of pathos yet doesn’t sound depressing because of its melody. This song happens to be the first from Ravi – Talat combination. Though the film Ek Saal is lesser known, but the song is certainly a favourite of the music fans. A tandem song in the film, the other version is rendered by Lata Mangeshkar.

6. C A T cat cat maane billi ( Dilli Ka Thug) –
Another film where music became a hit. All the songs from this film are well known including this riot by Kishore Kumar, aptly supported by Nutan. The song which is famous for Kishore Kumar’s jungle gym on screen. Not many know that its music was crafted by Ravi. The eternal teaser song.

7. Chanda mama door ke ( Vachan) –
Vachan (1955) is the debut of Ravi as a music director. And what a way to make a debut. Your childhood is incomplete if this song hasn’t been crooned to you as a “lori” or even as a mere entertainment.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fTJ7gqkAInY

8. Aaj mere yaar ki shaadi hai (Aadmi Sadak Ka) –
Can you imagine an Indian baraat without this song? The evergreen baraat song is a must item included at all the Indian weddings. Again a forgotten and very lesser known film but this song remains eternal till today!!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gjiDot_wzB8

9. Tora mann darpan kehelaye ( Kaajal) –
A divine creation by Ravi. The bhajan is sweetness overload. Ravi at his spiritual best with out of the world melody.
https://youtu.be/xgMv6DqpN04

10. Sansar ki har shae ka (Dhund) –
Gentle, sweet music that tells the philosophy of life and sounds haunting as well. Ravi manages to mould his music to suit the mood brilliantly. Though the background score of this song is same throughout the song, it doesn’t lose the tempo and doesn’t sound dull.

Ravi began his music career as a choir singer in the local religious hymns. He came to Bombay to become a singer, began his journey doing odd jobs including as a chorus for the famous patriotic number by Hemant Kumar “Vande Mataram” and accompanied Kalyanji Virji Shah in composing the Nagin Been. He slowly climbed the ladder of success by becoming Hemant Kumar’s assistant and then an independent music director. His music ranged from dreamily romantic to peppy, madcap to devotional numbers. For Hindi film music indusrty, Ravi is treasure trove!!!
The list of songs of this write up is complete but there are so many of Ravi’s songs still remaining which keep on lingering to your mind. Keep on adding your favourite Ravi number!!