Best known for the music of V. Sahntaram’s Sehra and Geet Gaya Patharon Ne, Ramlal, also known as Ramlal Heerapanna, was an Indian music director and instrumentalist. Despite being a very capable musician, Ramlal remain underrated and grossly underutilized in Hindi cinema.
Early Life and Career
Ramlal Choudhary was born in Banaras (Varanasi), Uttar Pradesh, in 1921. He came from a family with a musical inclination, influenced by the city’s rich cultural heritage. Ramlal’s musical training began in childhood. He learned the shehnai and the flute. Both the instruments later defined his style.
Ramlal started as an assistant to music director Ram Ganguly in Prithvi Theatre. He worked with Ganguly in Raj Kapoor’s Aag (1948). He played the flute and shehnai parts for songs such as “Zinda Hoon Is Tarah” and “Dekh Chand Ki Ore.”
His first break as an independent composer came in 1950 with “Taangawala,” produced by P.L. Santoshi, though the film remained incomplete. It was a big setback for him, as his career as a musician came to a standstill.
He continues to work as an instrumentalist in films, helping music directors achieve success. He first worked with V. Shantaram in Dahej (1950). Shantaram was impressed by his craft and offered him a job in Rajkamal Kala Mandir. He worked with V. Shantaram in films like Amar Bhoopali (1951), Teen Batti Char Raasta (1953), Surang (1953), Subah Ka Tara (1954), Navrang (1959), and many more.
Some of his other films where he played include Parineeta (1953) and Goonj Uthi Shehnai (1959), and many more. Interestingly, he did not get credit for Goonj Uthi Shehnai.
Ramlal – The Music Director
In 1956, he gets the chance to make music for Husn Banu starring Shakila, and Mahipal. The film has songs like “Pyar Karne Ka Aaya Zamana” and “Mujhse Nazren Milaana Sambhaal Ke,” sung by Asha Bhosle. Suman Kalyanpur sang the soulful “Hum Tumhare Hain Talabgar Tumhen Kya Maloom.” Asha also sang the religious song “Ya Nabi Salaam Alaika.”
The same years he worked on Chitra, and Manhar Desai starrer Naqab Posh. The film has some rare gems like Asha Bhosle’s “Ae Raat Tere Sathi Hain Chand Aur Taare” and “O Dilwale Apna Bana Le.” He then worked on Babubhai Mistry’s Naglok (1957). The film has songs like “Jo Sab Ko Nachaye Khel Rachaye,” and “Hey Shivshankar Hey Pralayankar,” sung by Lata Mangeshkar
All these films were small and did not get much attention at the office. The songs, although they were excellent, failed to get the success he desired. There were not many offers, and once again he remained unknown. After three years, Babubhai Mistry again gave him the chance to make music in his mythological film Maya Machhendra. The film had Rafi-Lata’s playful “Run Jhun Jhun Paayal Jhanke,” a beautiful little song worthy of more love. Lata sang “Aaya Re Mere Mann Ka Chand” and “Jab Se Naina Yeh Lade Hain.” It also has Rafi’s powerful “Aaj Yahaan Kyon Andhkaar Hai.”
After Maya Machhendra, he again waits for three years to get his next film. There is a little-known film, “Raj Mahal,” where he gave the music. The film has songs like Daas Main Hoon Guru Priya Jinki Suni Baani, Raat Gungunati Hai Zindagi Sajaati Hai, Chhaya Mere Dil Mein Kaisa Pyar Hai, and Kahan Chale O Ho Ji.
Ramlal The Musical Genius
But the next film he got was V. Shantaram’s Sehra (1963). It was a dream come true, and Ramlal grabbed it with both hands. He mesmerized the music lovers with his beautiful songs infused with classical ragas and folk flavors. Above all was “Pankh Hote To Ud Aati Re,” sung by Lata Mangeshkar with a striking aalap and a rare use of jal tarang. The film also has Mohammad Rafi and Lata’s haunting “Taqdeer Ka Fasana,” playful “Ja Ja Jare Tujhe Hum Jaan Gaye,” and the classical “Tum To Pyar Ho Sajna.” He used Hemant Kumar‘s voice for the philosophical Naa Ghar Tera Naa Ghar Mera. Rafi also sang Lagi Mast Nazar Ki Kataar with great energy.
The film’s music blends folk and classical elements with popular Hindi film music. V. Shantaram, who always had a great eye and admiration for music and dance, was so happy with Ramlal that he decided to use him for his next.
V. Shantaram’s next was Geet Gaaya Pattharon Ne (1964), starring his daughter Rajshree and Jitendra. The film has a haunting background score, and the same sounds are used in its songs too. The two songs “Geet Gaaya Pattharon Ne” by
Asha Bhosle, Mahendra Kapoor and “Tere Khayalon Me Ham,” Asha Bhosle stood out in the album. Both have the stamp of V. Shantaram and had the characteristic echo in them. The film also has “Saanson Ke Taar Par” by Kishori Amonkar, a more classical rendition of Geet Gaaya Pattharon Ne. He also used CH Atma‘s voice for two rare songs, “Mandve Tale Garib Ke Do Phool Khil Rahe Hain” and “Ek Pal Jo Mila Hai Tujh Ko.” His use of shehnai and flute stands out in the film.
Personal Life
Ramlal’s career faced a setback due to a contract with V. Shantaram, restricting outside work. A misunderstanding with Shantaram reportedly halted further projects, limiting his filmography.
Ramlal married Rita Choudhary, a kind woman recalled by family friends. They had a daughter, Sangeeta. The family lived in Mumbai, where Ramlal focused on music. Ramlal ji passed away on July 4, 2010, unsung and forgotten.
Ramlal on IMDB
