The Maestros Called Laxmikant Pyarelal

Hindi film music took a wonderful turn in the 60s. Rightly called the golden era, it had all the stalwarts giving their best. With all the best music served one after the other it was difficult to decide which one of them will win the race. Though it wasn’t a rat race in those times, the competition was still there and it was a healthy one. Instead of putting the opponents down, the artists encouraged each other to bring out the best. Beginning of the 60s also saw entries of some new but young and dynamic music directors.

Laxmikant Pyarelal was one such name. Why I call it as one name? They worked so in tune with each other that they were considered as one person by people for many years. Fondly called as LP or Laxmi Pyare, the duo were passionate about music since childhood. Their passion for music made an impression on music lovers from the beginning. Who can forget the foot tapping rhythm of Hansta hua noorani chehra…?

But Parasmani (1963) wasn’t the first film of this duo. Their first film as independent composers was Hum, Tum aur Woh which was later shelved. They had signed few more films which did not see the daylight. And then came Parasmani. After that there was no looking back. It was Laxmikant who forced Pyarelal ji to stay back and compose music as a duo. Both had lot of things in common, the best being music.

For Pyarelal ji, the journey from being a solo violin player to becoming one of the most sought after composer wasn’t a cake walk. Born on 3rd Sep 1940, Pyarelal ji lost his mother at a tender age. His father had passion for music and hence all the siblings including Pyarelal ji are well versed with music. He started learning violin at the age of 8 and at the age of 10 he was already working at Ranjit Studio, Bombay. It was here that he met his partner Laxmikant, who was a mandolin player in the orchestra.

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Pyarelal ji’s first recording for a song (as the part of orchestra) was from Jogan (1950) when he was just 10 years old. As a violinist he was a fan of Yehudi Menuhin. He used to practice violin for at least 7-8 hrs a day. He dreamt of making his own symphony orchestra and settling abroad. But fate had something else in store and their fans must be surely thanking for it.

Not many know that the first song for which LP played together in the orchestra was a Marathi song – Tinhi sanja sakhya milaalya!! It was after that they became assistants to legendary composers like S D Burman and Kalyan ji Anand ji. Though Pyarelal ji individually played violin for Shankar Jaikishan, LP never assisted them.

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The journey which began with Parasmani proved to be enthralling and enriching not only for the composers themselves but also for the music lovers. They soon proved that success can become a habit if there’s passion involved in whatever work you do. Their songs had gripping rhythm and were backed by melody. They proved their versatility in the first 2 years of their career.

Take a look at their filmography of the first 2 years of the work. After Parasmani, a fiction they gave music to Harishchandra Taramati (1963), a historical film. The song Jagat bhar ki roshni ke liye rendered by Hemant Kumar…still gives goosebumps.

Along came Sati Savitri and Sant Dnyaneshwar in 1964. These films dealt with mythology and spirituality respectively. Though the movies are long forgotten, the songs are still making waves.
Next in their bag was a science fiction. Mr. X in Bombay (1964). The movie which sealed a long term partnership of Anand Bakshi and LP to create some magic in future. Mere Mehboob qayamat hogi is just a glimpse of what they had in store for future together.

1964 was to be written in golden letters for LP. It was the year of their Dosti. A film which was breaking all the records, collecting accolades and trophies. The composer duo was not only appreciated for this but they also won their first Filmfare award. The award which boosted their career and placed them on the top of the list of composers. Because Dosti came out as winners putting behind Woh Kaun Thi and Sangam.

In the year next, they were giving music to films like Shreeman Funtoosh, Hum Sab Ustad Hain, Lootera, Aaya Toofan and Boxer. These films did not do well at the box office but till date are known for the songs. Laxmikant Pyarelal had become a brand name in just 2 years of their work. It was the result of their collectiv effort, hard work, dedication and passion. The tree of success had just been planted and it was already bearing sweetest fruits. The musical tree which became giant over the years had its roots deeply set in the initial 2 years itself. And don’t they say stronger the roots, sweeter the fruits. Laxmikant Pyarelal have proved it to be true.