Vasant Desai Biography 
Vasant Desai was a great music director of 1950’s who has been associated with V.Shantiram’s many of the landmark movies. He has given music to Shantiram movies like -Do Aankhen Barah Haath (1953), Jhanak Jhanak Payal Baaje (1955). Other landmark movies of his career are Vijay Bhatt's Goonj Uthi Shehnai (1959) and Hrishikesh Mukherjee's Guddi (1971). It was through his songs of Guddi, the famous Indian playback singer – Vani Jairam debut singing. She is still remembered most for the songs composed by Vasant Desai – Bole re pappi haraa and Hum ko man ki shakti dena. His songs are raga based and truly classics too, that still stay above times! His name is always taken with great respect if we talk about the first era of Indian music. He is truly one among those artists who provided basement to Indian music.
He born in 1912 in a wealthy family in Sonwad village, Savantwadi state, ruled by the Bhonsale clan. He has been associated with the famous Prabhat Film Company since it started making talkies. He worked as an actor, composer and singer of the movies made by Prabhat Film Company and the movies - Dharmatma and Sant Dnyaneshwar during the era of 40’s were noted most. But during late 40’s, he broke up with the company and started working with Shantaram production company – Rajshree productions. During 1950’s, he was one among the leading composers of Bollywood music industry. However he worked on less films during 60’s and 70’s of which Yadein (single hero – Sunil Dutt), Guddi (Debut movie of Jaya Badhuri) and Achanak (his last film) need special mention.
As a composer, he has worked for a few Marati films as well. Critically well acclaimed movie – Amar Bhoopali’s name of course comes first. A few of his hit Marati songs are - Sanga Mukund kuni ha pahila, Uthi Uthi Gopala from Amar Bhoopali, Ramya hi swargahuni Lanka from Swayamwar zale Seeteche, Deh devache mandir from Preetisangam, Manuskichya shatrusange yuddha amuche suru from Chota jawan.
In 1975 he died due to a lift accident at the age of 63. A few Hindi movies need special mention – Do phool, Dr. Kotnis Ki Amar Kahani, Toofan aur diya and Sampoorna Ramayana. The bhajan – E malik tere bande hum sung by Lata is the most memorable song composed by Vasant Desai.
Published: N/A
Updated: August 23, 2013
