Pitch-perfect tale

Talking point

Veteran music composer and ace violinist Pyarelal Sharma engages Bindu Gopal Rao in his anecdotal musical journey, including his bond with Laxmikant & the latest projects...

When I get to know about my chance to chat with Pyarelal Sharma, or Pyarelal of Laxmikant-Pyarelal fame, I am naturally excited. They have composed music for more than 635 Hindi films between 1963 and 1998, and are legends in their own right. Even after the demise of Laxmikant, Pyarelal has continued to work on music and has talked on behalf of both of them.

Incidentally, Pyarelal will perform in aid of Rotary Bangalore Junction’s Total Literacy Mission today. “I am excited to be in Bengaluru. And, the organisers and I have a selection of songs based on mutual consent that we hope the audience will like,” he adds. His wife is from the city, and he is fondly called Bengaluru’s son-in-law.

Father & son

Pyarelal’s father, Pandit Ramprasad Sharma, was a renowned trumpeter who taught his son Western music. The son would go on to learn violin (from age eight) and join the film industry (at age 12). His partner, Laxmikant, and he would spend long hours at recording studios and their canteens, the time which bonded their relationship as close friends. In fact, it was Laxmikant who suggested that they work together.

In 1957, they assisted Kalyanji-Anandji and worked as music arrangers for many music directors. They debuted as music directors in the 1963-release Parasmani, a costume drama whose songs became immensely popular.

Both Mohammad Rafi and Lata Mangeshkar have sung the most number of songs in their careers for Laxmikant-Pyarelal, as has Kishore Kumar. “When we recorded with them, never did it feel like spending time with ‘legends’, but with  humble, simple human beings,” recalls the musician.

Pyarelal is also considered as India’s finest violinist. He admits that the instrument is special. “As a composer, you have to first learn the piano, but the violin’s tone is quite good. I was drawn to it because of the endless musical possibilities it allows,” shares the music maestro.

For someone whose ambition once was to become a famous Indian musician in Western music abroad, life certainly has come a full circle. He has composed two symphonies — Om Shivam (in A Minor) and Concert #2 (in D Minor). “It took me eight months to write and I was invited to compose a quartet by sine Germans, which invited appreciation.”

The legendary composer has explored facets of music. In March 2012, in Dubai, he conceived a unique experiment in front of a 5,000-strong live audience, including world musicians. A group of 20 Indian and 20 Western musicians came together for a World Music performance called Absolute India, composed and arranged by Pyarelal and conducted by Kristjan Jarvi, Permanent Guest Conductor of the London Philharmonic Orchestra. He “came up with the idea of Indian and Western musicians playing together on what is composed, written and conducted” “We reached Dubai three days in advance and all musicians, skilled in all kinds of instruments — trumpets, violin, flute — practised for eight hours daily to make the show a huge success,” he explains.

Musical tact

On why he doesn’t compose Bollywood music, he recalls Lakshmikant’s advice about the importance of upholding integrity and self-respect. “Well, Yash Chopra, Subhash Ghai and Mahesh Bhatt did show interest in my music, but nothing has materialised. And I do not chase work. In fact, I have turned down several offers. We, as a duo, have created a place in the industry that cannot be diluted. And, we have had several opportunities that others can never have... this is what I cherish the most,” he maintains.

He is naturally proud that he was part of the Symphony Orchestra of India at Mumbai’s Prithvi Theatre in November last year. “This performance featured the first performance in India of Indian Summer, a suite for string quartet, alongside performing works by Mozart and Beethoven, amongst others. At the age of 74, when I heard my name alongside these greats, I was speechless.”

The septuagenarian likes the odds that musicians have now. “Technically, things have improved for music, but it’s important to use it correctly. Everyone owns a studio and can record songs independently.” Reality shows are also perfect to showcase musical talent, minus the abundant praise showered on contestants, according to him.

Pyarelal is easy to talk to, which makes my conversation with him unstoppble. Just like his learning. “The more I learn, I realise that there is no end to musical knowledge,” he asserts. I realise in that moment the sheer genius the man Pyarelal is.

Laxmikant-Pyarelal Nite - by Pyarelal ji himself will be held today at Christ College auditorium.