Name of Manohari Singh, who played saxophone and other instruments in more than 15,000 film songs, rings nostalgic bells in the ears of Hindustani Film Music (HMF) buffs. The maestro, around eighty and on dialysis, still plays the wind instrument with gusto transporting the audience to the golden era of film music of the last century.

Bells did ring in my ears when fellow Suryatri MD Soni called me on phone to tell me that Manohari Dada would be in Jaipur and Suryatra members could have a chance to meet the maestro. He talked to Dada and excitedly informed that the saxophonist had agreed to meet us. Accordingly we, the members of Suryatra, Soni ji, Arun Agrawal, and myself reached the hotel where Manohari Da was staying.

All our inhibitions vanished the moment Dada welcomed us in the lobby of the hotel and ushered into his room. There was such a humble and caring man which makes an artiste great human being. During entire our conversation his humbleness and humanity flew in abundance and drenched us all with his love and affection.

The old wizard was, however, “angry” over today’s film music scenario. “ Bada Gussa Aata Hai”, he remarked when the discussion skirted to the present film music. “Every thing has turned into ashes. Film music industry has finished. The ambience and atmosphere created by music directors, lyricist and singers of bygone era have vanished. There is a kind of bestiality pervading the contemporary film music”, said the soft spoken Manohari Da in anguish.

The musician who played for legendary music directors like S.D.Burman, Shankar Jaikishen, Kalyanji Anandji, Madan Mohan, O.P.Nayyar, Chitragupt and R.D.Burman felt that the music being created these days had no match to the golden era of film music. “You can’t create human feelings with electronic key boards”, he said quoting a remark of music director late Anil Biswas that today’s music can tap your feet but it can’t move your heart.

Old film music will never die. It will continue to grip the listeners in generations to come, asserted Manohari Da.

Manohari Da

Sharing nostalgic memories of the past with ‘Suryatra’ members he said he worked with old stalwarts of Kolkata like Pankaj Mullick, R. C Boral, and Kamal Dasgupta before shifting to Mumbai and also worked with new age composers Jatin - Lalit. I also played with young Anand Palwankar group who play music with key board.

Music director Salil Chowdhury brought Manahari Da to Mumbai from Kolkata and Dada got his first break as saxophonist with S. D. Burman in ‘Sitaron Se Aage’ (1958). He went on to work as Dada Burman’s arranger through ‘Teen Deviyan, ‘Guide’ till ‘Tere Mere Sapne’. His piece on saxophone in songs like Gaata Rahe Mera Dil and Din Dhal Yaye in Guide, Gaa Mere Man Gaa in Laajwanti and Ye Duniya Usi Ki Zamana Usi ka (Kashmir Ki Kali) are still raved by film music connoisseurs. Manohari Da’s added a bewitching touch to the song ‘Tumhe Yaad Hoga’ in Satta Bazar.

When asked to name a song where his wizardry was exploited to the hilt he started humming Laxmikant Pyarelal composed song ‘Main Aaya Hoon Lekar Jaam Haathon Men’ in Dev Anand-Hema Malini starrer ‘Ameer Gareeb’ saying it is the song where my saxophone has been exploited to the extreme.

Manohari Da, who composed music independently and with his colleague Basu in a few hindi films (as Basu-Manohari) besides giving music for some of his native Nepali films, felt Shankar-Jaikishen with their huge orchestra were a trend-setter for whom he remembered playing saxophone in a number of songs.

“These days I can’t move out much as for three days in a week I have to be on dialysis machine. I have stopped playing for film songs. However, I do perform on stage whenever some enthusiastic people insist and invite me.”

When Soni ji, asked him if he ever worked with any music director connected with Rajasthan he fondly remembered Daan Singh for whose super hit song ‘Wo tere Pyar Ka Gam’ in ‘My Love’ he played the wind instrument.

The legendry musician showered blessings on Suryatra members when asked to give a message for them. All music lovers are like my family members. You (Suryatris) are doing fine job. Please continlue your work.

Soni ji told him that Suryatris were passionate with cine music. Although the Suryatris are not singers but they cetainly enjoyed listening to music of Hindustani Film Music. Many of the Suryatris were great collectors of vintage music.

We returned back with great feelings and feeling fortunate to meet a man who made our lives beautiful with soulful renderings.

Long Live Manoharida!