Who can forget the immortal melodies in the films “Geeth Gaatha Chal” “Chor Machaye Shor” “Chitchor” “Naiyya” “Fakeera” .”Sunaina” to name a few. The man who was born blind but could see through his heart, penning lyrics for the songs he composed…yes, he is the one and only Ravindra Jain. The man who introduced Dr.K.J.Yesudas to the Hindi music lovers, the man who could create pathos (Ghungroo ki tarah) and ebullience (Le jayenge…le jayenge…dilwale dulhaniya…), earthy folk (Geeth gaata chal), classical (Jab deep jale aana, Tu jo mere sur mein) with the same ease. Who can forget the beautiful song “Husn pahadon ka” based on Pahadi raag in the film “Ram Teri Ganga Maili” The man known for his word play (Jal jo na hotha to ye jag jaatha jal in the film Geet gaatha chal and Sajna hai mujhe sanja ke liye in Saudagar), what a beauty!
Ravindra Jain was born in 1944 in the Banswara District of Rajasthan. He took his early music training under Pt.G.L.Jain, Pt.Janardhan Sharma and Pt.Nathu Ram before landing into the Hindi film industry. He is credited for bringing Dr.Yesudas and Hemlatha to the Hindi film music. He was so attached to Yesudas and fascinated by his voice that he would say he wanted to first see Yesudas’ face if he ever got his vision.
Ravindra Jain held sway over the Hindi film industry through the 70’s. Later, he did musical work for Television serials like Ramanand Sagar’s “Ramayan”, “Sri Krishna”, “Alif Laila”, Hema Malini’s “Nupur” etc.
He also composed music for ghazals in singer Suresh Wadkar’s The Morning Sun and singer Pravin Khan’s Deedar. This apart he has also written and composed many popular jain bhajans.
He never got the recognition he deserved. He was nominated several times for Filmfare but got it only in 1985.
For the hindi film music lovers, all it matters is that humming the evergreen melodies composed by this master gives them peace of mind and freshens their spirit.
Ravindra Jain ji – Saadar Pranam!
-Nag.
