Hridaynath Mangeshkar

Pandit Hridaynath Mangeshkar (Marathi pronunciation: [ɦɾud̪əjnaːt̪ʰ məŋɡeːʃkəɾ]; born 26 October 1937) is an Indian music director and occasional singer. He is the only son of musician Deenanath Mangeshkar and younger brother of Lata Mangeshkar and Asha Bhosle. He is popularly known as Balasaheb in the music and film industry. He received the Filmfare Marathi Lifetime Achievement Award for his contributions in Marathi cinema.

Career

Hridaynath debuted his music career in 1955 with the Marathi film Akash Ganga. Since then, he has composed for various Marathi films such as Sansar, Chaani, Ha Khel Savalyancha, Janaki, Jait Re Jait, Umbartha and Nivdung and a few Bollywood films; the most notable among them being Subah, Lekin... and Maya Memsaab.

Mangeshkar also composed music for the Doordarshan musical drama Phoolwanti.

Mangeshkar has also composed folk songs. Staying true to the spirit, his Koli Geets (fishermen songs) reflect the traditional rhythms of the fishermen of Konkan. His music for the critically acclaimed movie Jait Re Jait is another example of his prowess in this genre. One of his most popular works is the composition for the Marathi film Nivdung.

At one point, Hridaynath was a student of Ustad Amir Khan; however, he feels that his guru is not as timeless as his sister Lata.

Mangeshkar has been the recipient of several awards throughout his career, such as the prestigious National Award at the hands of the President of India, the Lata Mangeshkar Award of Maharashtra state, and seven Maharashtra State Awards for Best Vocalist and Music Director/Composer.

Mangeshkar was awarded the title pandit by the people of Maharashtra at the hands of Bhimsen Joshi and Jasraj. The Shankaracharya has conferred upon him the title Bhaav Gandharva.

Mangeshkar was awarded Padma Shri by the Government of India in 2009.

A few of his most memorable Hindi film scores are Harishchandra Taramati, Prarthana, Chakra, Lekin..., Maya Memsaab, Lal Salaam, Yash Chopra's Mashaal, Dhanwan and Chaani.

Mangeshkar is also the first Indian composer to compose and release two entire albums featuring the poems and songs of the poet-saint Meera, titled Chala Vahi Des and Meera Bhajans. In 2011, he composed and released an album titled Meera Soor Kabeera, featuring the works of Meera, Kabir and Surdas. He produced an album featuring the ghazals of Ghalib, titled Ghalib and sung by Lata Mangeshkar. His collaborations with Marathi poets such as Shanta Shelke and Suresh Bhat have produced many classic Marathi songs.

Mangeshkar joined the political party Shiv Sena in 2009.

Filmography

Awards 1978 (16th Maharashtra State Film Awards) – Maharashtra State Film Award for Best Music Director for Jait Re Jait. 1990 (38th National Film Awards) – National Film Award for Best Music Direction for Lekin... Official citation: For using traditional tunes and instruments creatively, with lilting melody and haunting perfection. 2009 – Padma Shri