ANIL BISWAS

Early Life and Background

  • Full Name: Anil Krishna Biswas
  • Stage Name: Anil Biswas
  • Birth Date: July 7, 1914
  • Birth Place: Barisal, British India (now in Bangladesh)
  • Nationality: Indian
  • Occupation: Music Director, Composer, Playback Singer
  • Active Years: 1935–1965

Anil Biswas, often referred to as the “Bhishma Pitamah” of Bollywood Music, was a pioneering music composer who introduced orchestration, choral effects, and melodic structures that shaped early Indian film music.

Musical Career

Early Career (1930s–1940s)

  • Started as a singer and composer for stage performances and Bengali theatre.
  • First major break in Bollywood: Dharma Ki Devi (1935).
  • Worked with Bombay Talkies and later Mehboob Khan’s production house.

Key Films and Songs

Jawani Ki Reet (1939) – Prem Nagar Mein Basoongi Ghar Main
Kismat (1943) – Door Hato Ae Duniya Walo (A patriotic song against British rule)
Roti (1942) – Roti! Roti! Roti!
Anokha Pyar (1948) – Meri Pyari Patang
Lajawab (1950) – Aaj Himalay Ki Choti Se

Golden Era (1950s–1960s)

  • Introduced classical raagas, folk music, and Western harmonies in Hindi film songs.
  • Revolutionized playback singing, guiding singers like Mukesh, Talat Mahmood, and Lata Mangeshkar.
  • Worked with top lyricists like Prem Dhawan, Sahir Ludhianvi, and Majrooh Sultanpuri.

Notable Films and Hit Songs

 Tarana (1951) – Seene Mein Sulagte Hain Arman
Aaram (1951) – Shukriya Aye Pyaar Tera Shukriya
Jalti Nishani (1952) – Aye Jane Wafa
Hamlet (1954) – Guzar Gaya Woh Zamana Kaisa

Unique Musical Style

  • First to introduce multi-layered orchestration in Bollywood.
  • Developed background scoring to enhance the emotional depth of scenes.
  • Blended Hindustani classical music with folk tunes and Western harmonies.

Later Career and Contributions

  • Shifted focus to All India Radio (AIR) and composed non-film music.
  • Became the Music Director of AIR Delhi, promoting classical and regional music.
  • Mentored young musicians and encouraged new singing talent.

Awards and Recognitions

 Sangeet Natak Akademi Award – Contribution to Indian Music
Lata Mangeshkar Award – Lifetime Achievement
Filmfare Special Award – Honored posthumously

Personal Life

  • Married to Meena Kapoor (playback singer).
  • Passionate about poetry and literature.
  • Lived a simple and intellectual life, avoiding Bollywood’s glamour.

Death and Legacy

  • Died: May 31, 2003, in New Delhi.
  • Remembered as a pioneer in Indian film music.
  • His influence is seen in later composers like Salil Chowdhury, R. D. Burman, and A. R. Rahman.

SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS : 

YOUTUBE : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hELY4ZzltaY&pp=ygUWQW5pbCBCaXN3YXMgIGludGVydmlldw%3D%3D