'''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 [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ayodhyecha_Raja|Ayodhyecha Raja]] and [[Amar Jyoti]]. Music director at [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rajkamal|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]]