Rajesh Roshan: The Genius Composer, Magic, Melody, Soul Options

[princeali]

Rajesh Roshan - The Genius Composer




Friends,

I am starting this thread to upload and discuss the work and music of the very talented genius composer Rajesh Roshan.

Rajesh Roshan, the son of the legendary composer Roshan, inherited his father's musical genes. He learnt music from Faiyaz Ahmed Khan Saab and assisted the legendary Laxmikant Pyarelal for five years before he ventured out on his own. Laxmikant termed him 'The Last of the Originals'.

In my view, Rajesh Roshan was a trend-setter, he established a musical grammar that was followed by many future music directors. When he arrived on the scene, his style of music and orchestration was totally new, and he was the last composer before AR Rahman to bring something new to HFM. He had this effortless ease to his arrangements, and you could identify RR's music by his trademark style and stamp. He is one of the best MD's when it came to the fusion of the east and west and was also strong in classical music.

Among all the debutantes of the 70's, I feel Rajesh Roshan had the most freshness in his music, and was the most talented. He demonstrated consistency over a period of time, however like all music directors, had his low periods as well, but has managed to survive for over three decades. He has classic albums in all decades, be it the 70's, 80's, 90's and the current decade. I would rank Rajesh Roshan among the all time great composers, based on the excellent work he has to his credit, he is very creative, innovative and talented. He is very under-rated, and this is surprising since he is such an excellent composer. I would say he carried forward his father's legacy in a fine way.

[princeali]

Song:

Kya Mausam Hai
Film: Doosra Aadmi
Year: 1977
Singers: Kishore Kumar, Lata Mangeshkar & Mohd. Rafi
Lyrics: Majrooh Sultanpuri

Rajesh Roshan made excellent use of Lata, Kishore, Rafi and Asha. He created beautiful songs for these four singers which explored and challenged their vocals. The composer also created a few gems for Mukesh as well, besides creating great songs for many other singers.

This song from Doosra Aadmi is a triad featuring Kishore, Lata and Rafi. This is in my view, the best triad ever made in the Hindi Film Industry.

Kishore and Lata's rendition at the beginning has an earthy quality about it, and they impart just the right touch to every note. The way the instruments have been used is brilliant. The santoor leaves an impression on the listener right from the beginning of the song to the end and has been brilliantly coordinated throughout the song. RR had his own excellent way of using different instruments and could handle them with as much finesse as any top music director. One can always count on RR to give amazing arrangements, showcasing variety and different instruments. His arrangements are never straight forward and always have that element of surprise.

Kishore and Lata are excellent in their rendering and emotions before the grand entrance of Rafi. Then, when Rafi enters, he comes in riding with a storm, takes it to a higher level and then brings it back down himself. It is like a meteor dazzling across the galaxy, and he mesmerize us with his rendition and changes the whole song all-together. He also imparts just the right touch to each note, an excellent rendition. This is followed by Lata rendering a few lines with a touching violin backdrop. The violins then pick up again with the rhythm and Kishore and Lata proceed to end the song in a great way. The mood changes are beautiful to listen to all throughout the song.

Another fascinating aspect is how the rhythm changes tempo throughout the song and is in accordance with the mood. The fast percussion was excellent and the build-up music from the time Kishore ends with "Are mil jaaye behel jaaye" is once again very good. The rhythm, instruments, how the violins build up to a crescendo for Rafi's grand entry was crafted skillfully by RR.

The melody is just awesome, giving one a very relaxing feel as well as the element of goosebumps. The picturisation was also done great, Rishi, Rakhee and Shashi did very well.

[princeali]

Song:

Aina Mujhse Meri Pehli Si Surat Mangi
Singer: Talat Aziz
Film: Daddy
Year: 1991
Lyrics: Suraj Sanim

Here is a 90's gem, a very nice ghazal composition. This whole soundtrack in fact was an ace up the sleeve for RR, an all-ghazal album, showing his versatility as a composer. Rarely these days do music directors get such themes to compose for. RR entrusted all the songs of this film to Talat Aziz and it proved a great decision. The song in discussion is probably the most popular song from this album.

The introduction music is great with the violins, bell and flute setting up a nice atmosphere befor Talat enters. A nice crisp tabla has been used throughout the song with the trademark RR violins. Rajesh Roshan's violin orchestra is in a class of its own, so rich in quality, and he's always used it in the most unorthodox ways which makes it even better. He can easily conduct a western symphony with the way he handles his violins, a master composer at work. Moreover his violin use is so unique that it differs from other composers.

In this song, after the second interlude, when Talat sings the lines "Mera fan phir mujhe bazaar mein le aaya hai" there are tiny violin touches that are fantastic. Talat Aziz is excellent in this song, his rendition has depth and feeling. The lyrics by Suraj Sanim are also good. The tune is wonderful, and so is the interlude music, in the first stanza with the flute and violins, then the saxophone and sitar in the second interlude combined with the violins was nice. The flute in the last interlude gives a different expression to the song.

This gem ranks among the best songs of Talat Aziz.

[deewani]

Great thread princeali. He's one of the MDs that made some of the best songs of the 90s IMHO. In the 90s, it was that name on a soundtrack along with few others that usually coaxed me into trying the "new" stuff back then. An MD equally good at creating lovely hummable melodies as well as dance hits.

[Erum Hashmi]

Song:

Aina Mujhse Meri Pehli Si Surat Mangi
Singer: Talat Aziz
Film: Daddy
Year: 1991
Lyrics: Suraj Sanim

Here is a 90's gem, a very nice ghazal composition. This whole soundtrack in fact was an ace up the sleeve for RR, an all-ghazal album, showing his versatility as a composer. Rarely these days do music directors get such themes to compose for. RR entrusted all the songs of this film to Talat Aziz and it proved a great decision. The song in discussion is probably the most popular song from this album.

The introduction music is great with the violins, bell and flute setting up a nice atmosphere befor Talat enters. A nice crisp tabla has been used throughout the song with the trademark RR violins. Rajesh Roshan's violin orchestra is in a class of its own, so rich in quality, and he's always used it in the most unorthodox ways which makes it even better. He can easily conduct a western symphony with the way he handles his violins, a master composer at work. Moreover his violin use is so unique that it differs from other composers.

In this song, after the second interlude, when Talat sings the lines "Mera fan phir mujhe bazaar mein le aaya hai" there are tiny violin touches that are fantastic. Talat Aziz is excellent in this song, his rendition has depth and feeling. The lyrics by Suraj Sanim are also good. The tune is wonderful, and so is the interlude music, in the first stanza with the flute and violins, then the saxophone and sitar in the second interlude combined with the violins was nice. The flute in the last interlude gives a different expression to the song.

This gem ranks among the best songs of Talat Aziz.

YEAR=1991

FILM=DADDY

SONG=AAINA MUJHSE MERE HONE KI

LYRICIST=SURAJ SANIM

MUSIC=RAJESH ROSHAN

SINGER=TALAT AZIZ

RATE=128KBPS

TIME=06.22

FORMAT=MP3

[princeali]

Thanks Deewani, I agree, he was one of the best MD's of the 90's, stood out among the crowd.

Thanks Erum as well for uploading the 'Daddy' song.

[deewani]

I was going through my library and I realized he actually sang a song in Anubhav, I wonder if he did that in any other soundtracks. He also has quite a few Punjabi flavored numbers in his filmography. I also noticed that quite a few of his songs have dialogue incorporated into them, making them truly musicals and part of the story line.

Here's two from Swarag Narak 1978 MD Rajesh Roshan 160 kbps cd

Aag Lagi Hui (5:59) - Rafi

Nahin Nahin Koi Tumsa Haseen (5:49) - Asha & Kishore

[oye_sonu]

I was going through my library and I realized he actually sang a song in Anubhav, I wonder if he did that in any other soundtracks. He also has quite a few Punjabi flavored numbers in his filmography. I also noticed that quite a few of his songs have dialogue incorporated into them, making them truly musicals and part of the story line.

Here's two from Swarag Narak 1978 MD Rajesh Roshan 160 kbps cd

Aag Lagi Hui (5:59) - Rafi

Nahin Nahin Koi Tumsa Haseen (5:49) - Asha & Kishore

Ali bhai thanks for starting this thread and posting something on Rajesh roshan. few composers really need few more posts and attentions. I feel RR is one of them !


Iam told the so called dip in his career came due to some personal problems ( not right to be dicssued in forums? ). If he didnt had these problems he must ahchieved great milestones.

One more good aspect of RR was his good use of both Rafi and Kishore's voices. Infact why Rafi and kishore........he has used almost all singers in good prportion. Anwar to Amit kumar to Mohd aziz to Kumar sanu !



Deewani thanks for the above songs. and your views on RR's 90's music.

RR is very talented MD. but I feel one need to " extract" the best from him.
"bahar aane tak" had some really good music from RR. " ek pal hasna jo chaha" By Anwar was almost like a 60s song of a Rafi !. I love this song. and then the duet by Anuradha - Suresh was good as well.

I recall Jugal hansraj movie (???) also had one nice song by udit.........totally different from then of tht era " ghar se nikalte hi" and one one more very nice one on mayuri kang " pehle pyar ka pehla gam"
And then "mujse naraz ho"........again a reminder tune of 60s !



Regards


Sonu

[princeali]

Thanks Sonu-ji, RR is indeed under-rated and a classic composer. I wonder why the media sometime tends to forget him, when he was a trendsetter, brought something very unique and fresh to HFM, and revolutionized the music scene.

Song: Thoda Hai Thode Ki Zaroorat Hai
Singers: Lata Mangeshkar & Kishore Kumar
Film: Khatta Meetha
Year: 1977
Lyrics: Gulzar

Another outstanding duet composed by RR, the melody is excellent and so are the arrangement. RR songs usually have this flow quality about them, everything seems to gel so nicely into place, whether its the singing, music, lyrics etc. Kishore and Lata are at their best here, and sing this song beautifully. One thing about RR, is that he opened up the voices of all his singers, and fully exploited their range and skills. Gulzar's lyrics are nice and philosphical, adding to the charm of this compositon. Gulzar and RR worked in two films together, 'Khatta Meetha' and 'Swayamvar', and on both occasions they hit the right notes.

The rhythm has a combination of the tabla and madal, combined with the violins, flute, saxophone. The use of the guitar is great and effective throughout the song.

This post has been edited by princeali: Apr 7 2008, 03:55 AM

[princeali]

Song: Tumse Nahin Pehchan
Singer: Mohd. Rafi
Film: Ek Hi Raasta
Year: 1977
Lyrics: Varma Malik

Rafi had a special way of singing RR songs, just as he had a special way of singing for every composer. This is a beauty of a song, describing the relationship between two people (in this case, between a man and a child he meets in the film). RR incorporates the sound of a moving train and gives the atmosphere of being out in the open. The tune is fabulous, and Rafi's singing is excellent. Great use of the trademark RR violins, as well as the santoor and flute. The percussion is great with variations, mostly on the dholak with a side rhythm backup.

Here is RR rehearsing with Rafi-saab. Pic courtesy mohdrafi.com:

[princeali]

Song: Jab Jab Jo Jo Hona Hai
Singer: Kishore Kumar
Fim: Vishwanath
Year: 1978
Lyrics: Vitthalbhai Patel

This is a great song sung by Kishore. There are three versions, the other two are by Lata. This version has only one stanza but its still a gem. It's one of those short but sweet songs like "Chand Mera Dil" or Rafi's sad version of "Tum Bin Jaun Kahan". The arrangements are just top class, with the piano, violins, flute, guitar all making their presence felt. Kishore's rendition is excellent. Listen to the music, and you'll see a super talented, classy, master composer at work.

[princeali]

This next song is one of Lata's best latter-day gems. A beautiful song, Lata singing is excellent and RR's music is top class. Great use of the santoor, sitar, shehnai, flute, and violins. The rhythm is fantastic, it shifts throughout the song, and the tabla has been used to awesome effect. RR was always nice in melody and this song is no exception, it has a beautiful tune. A very haunting and touching song.

Here is a vinyl rip of this gem courtesy a friend:

Dheere Dheere Sun More Sajna
Singer: Lata Mangeshkar
Film: Ek Hi Raasta
Year: 1977
Lyrics: Verma Malik

[princeali]

Another beautiful Lata gem, it has a nice sentimental tune and soothing orchestration which was a trademark of RR's music. Lata takes this song to great heights. In an interview, RR said that this was an under-rated song, and that it had the melodic touch of his father, the legendary Roshan.

Ae Mast Hawa Yeh To Batla
Singer: Lata Mangeshkar
Film: Tumhari Kasam
Year: 1978
Lyrics: Anand Bakshi

[princeali]

Here is the first song Amitabh Bachchan sang in his career. It is a nice soothing children's song composed by RR.

Mere Paas Aao
Singer: Amitabh Bachchan
Film: Mr. Natwarlal
Year: 1979
Lyrics: Anand Bakshi





This post has been edited by princeali: May 19 2008, 01:38 AM

[princeali]

Here is a nice song by Preeti Sagar who shot to fame with the excellent [b[My Heart Is Beating[/b] from Julie.

Mera Naam Raja
Singer: Preeti Sagar
Film: Tumhari Kasam
Year: 1978
Lyrics: Anand Bakshi