Vasant Desai

Music director born in Kudal, Maharashtra. Employed at Prabhat as actor and studio-hand from 1929. Assistant to composers Tembe, Krishnarao and Bhole and actor-singer with successful solos in Ayodhyecha Raja and Amar Jyoti. Music director at Rajkamal, where he was a regular in Shantaram films for over three decades starting with Shakuntala. Best-known work mainly adapting traditional Maharashtrian musical modes of Powada and Lavni (e.g. in Lokshahir Ramjoshi and Amar Bhoopali). Made several polemical statements calling for Marathi cinema’s return to regional music traditions (e.g. Desai, 1950). Scored several mythologicals by Vijay Bhatt and Babubhai Mistri and two major Sohrab Modi films: Sheesh Mahal and Jhansi Ki Rani. Later scored for Hrishikesh Mukherjee (Ashirwad, Guddi) and Gulzar (Achanak).

FILMOGRAPHY (* act only): 1932: Ayodhyecha Raja*; 1935: Dharmatma*; 1936: Amar Jyoti*; 1937: Wahan*; 1940: Sant Dnyaneshwar*; 1942: Shobha; 1943: Aankh Ki Sharam; Mauj; Shakuntala; 1944: Parbat Pe Apna Dera; 1946: Dr Kotnis Ki Amar Kahani; Jeevan Yatra; Subhadra; 1947: Andhon Ki Duniya; Lokshahir Ramjoshi/Matwala? Shayar Ramjoshi; 1948: Mandir; Sona; 1949: Narasinh Avatar; Udhaar; Sakharpuda; Nai Taleem; 1950: Krantiveer Vasudev Balwant; Dahej; Hindustan Hamara; Sheesh Mahal; 1951: Jeevan Tara; Amar Bhoopali; Hi Majhi Lakshmi; 1952: Hyderabad Ki Nazneen; 1953: Anand Bhavan; Dhuaan; Jhansi Ki Rani; Majhi Zameen; Shyamchi Aai; 1954: Kalakaar; Savdhan; Suhagan (all 3 with C. Ramchandra); Kanchanganga; 1955: Ye Re Majhya Maglya; Jhanak Jhanak Payal Baaje; 1956: Toofan Aur Diya; 1957: Do Aankhen Barah Haath; 1958: Do Phool; Mausi; 1959: Ardhangini; Do Behnen; Goonj Uthi Shehnai; Samrat Prithviraj Chouhan; 1960: Umaji Naik; 1961: Pyar Ki Pyaas; Sampoorna Ramayan; 1962: Baap Mazha Brahmachari; 1963: Chhota Jawan; Molkarin; 1964: Swayamvar Jhale Seeteche; Rahul; Yaadein; 1965: Amar Jyoti; Bharat Milap; Iye Marathyachi Nagari/Ladki? Sahyadri Ki; And Miles To Go...; 1967: Ramrajya; 1968: Dhanya Te Santaji Dhanaji; Ashirwad; 1970: Lakshman Resha; 1971: Guddi; 1972: Grahan; 1973: Achanak; 1974: Jai Radhe Krishna; Bayano Navre Sambhala; Raja Shivachhatrapati; 1975: Rani Aur Lalpari; 1976: Shaque; Tuch Majhi Rani.

Music