Shanti Kumar Desai

Shanti Kumar Desai (3 March 1908 – 6 January 1986) also credited as Shanti Kumar, was an Indian music director who gave music to Hindi films between 1934 -1964.

Personal life

He was born to a Gujarati family in Amreli in Saurashtra, Bombay Presidency, India. His mother is Kunwarben and father is Shri Pritamlal Desai. He married Shantagauri Kanakiya. He died on 6 January 1986, survived by five children, 2 sons and 3 daughters and grandchildren.

Career

He learned music early and gave concerts to the royal families of that time. During the 3rd decade of the 20th century, he came to Mumbai and took a job of a broadcaster in His Master's Voice. He was exposed to composition and music arrangement for Indian Cinema. He became a disciple of Shri Aman Ali Khan.

Initially he gave music to a theater group in Bhangwadi area of Mumbai. He got his first break in the movie Navbharat from Victory Pictures in 1934. He worked with veteran singers of that time including Johrabai Ambawali, Rajkumari, Ameerbai Karnataki, Sardar Akhtar and Pinakin Shah. He composed for around 40 movies.

He was also known as a harmonium player. In that era, music used harmonium and tabla only.

Filmography

Film Year Nav Bharat 1934 Taqdeer 1935 Qatil Katar 1935 Magic Horse 1935 Zan Mureed 1936 Jawahar - e - hind 1937 Punarjanam 1938 Sharif Daku 1938 Ghunghatwali 1938 Devbala 1938 Chhote Sarkar 1938 Imandar 1939 Fankdo Fituri (Gujarati) 1939 Suhagan 1940 Pyaar 1940 Anjam 1940 Jadu Nagri 1940 Prabhat 1941 Torpedo 1941 Meri Khwahish 1941 Desire 1941 Meri Duniya 1942 Swapna 1942 Naukar 1943 Fashion 1943 Duhai 1943 Collegian 1944 Kismatwala 1944 Dhanwan 1946 Shah - E - Misar 1946 Ek Din Ka Sultan 1945 Gaurav 1947 Ghar Ki Bahu 1947 Amar Asha 1947 Sati Vijaya 1948 Ek Din Ka Sultan 1949 Lav Kush 1951 Tere Dwar Khade Bhagwan 1964