Hansraj Behl Biography 
Hansraj Behl was a music director of Hindi and Punjabi movies. He was born in Ambala, British Punjab on November 19, 1916 and died in the year 1984. Hansraj received his early education in music from Pandit Chunnilal. As a music director, he started his career during 1946 with the movie, Pujari and his last composition was for the movie, Insaaf Ka Khoon released in the year 1991. Legend of Indian playback singing, Asha Bhosle started her singing career under Hansraj Behl’s composition. The song was Saawan aaya for Hansraj Behl's film Chunariya (1948) for which she received 100 rupees that time.
Behl released a few music records under HMV and opened a music school at Lahore, before entering film industry. Then he moved to Mumbai to try his luck in Bollywood. After one year of struggle he got his first film Pujari, made by Ardeshir Irani, in 1946, followed by Gwaalan and Phulwaari in the same year. All these movies failed at box office and Behl’s works went unnoticed. Laakhon Mein Ek and Chheen Le Aazadi, released in 1947 were his major hits as a composer. 'Moti Chugne Gayi Re Hansi..' sung by Shamshad Begum and Mukesh, for the movie Chheen Le Aazadi became popular, marking a successful career beginning in Bollywood.
In 1948, Chunariya, Mitti Ke Khilone, Pardesi Mehmaan and Satya Narayan were released. Asha Bhosle started her singing career through Chunariya. But the most noted song was sung by her sister, Lata - 'Dil-e-Nashaad Ko Jeene Ki’. 'Sab Kuchh Lutaya Hamne Aakar Teri’ sung by Rafi and 'Haye Chanda Gaye Pardes Chakori ‘ sung by Lata placed his name among the top music directors in the decade, post independence. His noted movies include – Chunariya, Moti mahal, Dost, Milan, Bhangra, Mud Mud Ke Na Dekh, Do aakhein, Sikandar E Azam and Lal pari.
Published: N/A
Updated: January 10, 2014
