Bhagatram (husnlal Bhagatram Fame)

Bhagatram (husnlal Bhagatram Fame) Biography

Bhagatram was a legendary music composer associated with Bollywood in the early talkies. He along with his elder brother Husnlal formed the legendary music composer duo, Husnlal – Bhagatram of Bollywood, widely recognized as the first duo composers of Bollywood. They were siblings and Husnalal was elder among the two. He was 6 years younger to Husnlal. The duo composers enjoyed peak heights in their musical career during 1940s and early 1950s. The duo also had an eldest brother, Amarnath, who was a music composer with HMV records and also a few film songs. He also composed a very few film songs. Husnlal lived during the period, 1910–1968 and Bhagatram during 1916– 29 November 1973.

Bhagatram was born in year 1916 in Kahma, Jalandhar district, Punjab. He was born as the youngest child among three brothers. He joined hands with his elder brother B Husnlal and formed Husnlal – Bhagatram duo. The brothers got early break as composers through 'Chand' – 1944 film. 'Do dilon ko yeh duniya’ sung by Manju was their first hit song as composers. Husnlal was an accomplished violinist and a classical singer, while Bhagatram was an ace harmonium player. Initially they worked as assistant to their elder brother in the early 1940s, before starting independent musical journey.

The duo popularised Punjabi folk music through film songs, and their compositions got noticed. Pyar Ki Jeet and Badi Bahen are the early musical works which earned them the celebrity status. They also helped their elder brother to complete the work of movie, Mirza Sahiban during his last years. 'Ek Dil Ke Tukde Hazaar Huye' from Pyar Ke Geet became a trendsetter among sad songs of Bollywood. The duo parted ways by the late sixties. While Husnlal moved to Delhi after that, Bhagatram settled in Mumbai with his family. The next generation also has a few musicians. His nephew Dinesh Kumar Prabhakar is also a renowned Violinist and composer.

Published: January 05, 2020

Updated: January 05, 2020