Roshan (music director)
Roshan Lal Nagrath (
July 14,
1917 -
November 16,
1967), better known simply by his first name
Roshan, was a famous
Bollywood film music composer. He is the father of the actor and film director
Rakesh Roshan and music director
Rajesh Roshan, father-in-law of actress
Pinky Roshan, and grandfather of Rakesh and Pinky's son, superstar film actor
Hrithik Roshan.
Roshan was born in
Gujranwala,
Punjab,
British India (now part of
Punjab in
Pakistan). He began music lessons at a young age, and later attended Morris College of Music in
Lucknow. In the early
1940s, Roshan joined
All India Radio and worked for them as a composer.
In
1948, Roshan came to
Mumbai to find work as a Bollywood music director. He struggled until meeting
Kidar Sharma, who gave him the job of composing for his film
Neki aur Badi (
1949). While this film was a flop, Roshan emerged as a player on the Bollywood music scene with the film
Baawre Nain, released the following year.
In the early
1950s, Roshan worked extensively with singers
Mukesh and
Talat Mahmood.
Malhar,
Shisham, and
Anhonee were some of the movies that he scored during the '50s. He was not very successful commercially-speaking, yet garnered enormous respect from his colleagues. He also gave
Indeewar and
Anand Bakshi their first breaks in the industry as lyricists; these two would later become two of the most sought-after songwriters in
Mumbai in the late
1960s.
The
1960s proved to be the golden age for Roshan and his music. His remarkable ability to meld folk music with Indian classical music became his trademark and resulted in many a successful score. During this time Roshan gave the Hindi movie industry some unforgettable hits, such as
Na To Karavan Ki Talaash Hai and
Yeh Ishq Ishq Hai (
Barsaat Ki Raat,
1960),
Ab Kya Misaal Doon (
Aarti,
1962),
Jo Vada Kiya Vo Nibhana Padega and
Paao Chhoon Lene Do (
Taj Mahal,
1963),
Nigahen Milane To Ji Chahata Hai and
Laaga Chunari Mein Daagh (
Dil Hi To Hai,
1963),
Sansaar Se Bhaage Phirte Ho and
Man Re Tu Kaahe (
Chitralekha,
1964), and
Oh Re Taal Mile and
Meri Beri Ke Ber (
Anokhi Raat,
1968).
Roshan had been suffering from chronic heart trouble for over 20 years. He died of a
heart attack on
November 16,
1967 in
Bombay,
Maharashtra,
India, leaving behind a wife and two sons.
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Biography at downmelodylane.com
