One of the most prominent composers of Hindi cinema, Ravindra Jain was also a famous lyricist and playback singer. Jain was specially remembered for his soulful and earthy songs in films like “Saudagar,” “Chor Machaye Shor,” “Geet Gaata Chal,” “Chitchor,” “Ankhiyon ke Jharokhon,” “Nadiya ke Paar,” “Ram Teri Ganga Maili,” as well as for music in the epic serial “Ramayana.”
Early Life
Ravindra Jain was born blind on 28 February 1944 in Aligarh. He was the third child among seven brothers and one sister. His father, Pandit Indramani Jain, recognised his talent and sent him to learn music from stalwarts like G.L. Jain, Janardhan Sharma, and Nathu Ram. At a young age, Ravindra Jain began singing bhajans at temples.
Musical Journey
He started his career in 1971 with the film “Lori.” Although his first song, “Ye silsila hai pyar ka chalta hi rahega,” sung by Mohammed Rafi, was never released, he made his official debut a year later with the film “Kaanch Aur Heera,” featuring the song “Nazar Aati Nahin Manzil,” also sung by Mohammed Rafi.
Amitabh Bachchan’s Nutan & Padma Khanna starrer “Saudagar (1973)” was his breakthrough, which has songs like Manna Dey’s “Door Hain Kinara” and Asha Bhosle’s “Sajna Hai Mujhe Sajna Ke Liye.” His next big success comes in the 1974 film “Chor Machaye Shor,” where he gave the evergreen Kishore Kumar song “Ghungroo Ki Tarah.”
Ravindra Jain’s Collaboration
With Yesudas
Jain’s musical journey flourished when he crossed paths with the talented KJ Yesudas. The duo, known for their remarkable collaboration, produced a string of hits, including classics like “Gori tera gaon bada pyara,” “Aaj Se Pehle, Aaj Se Zyada,” “Jab Deep Jale Aana, Jab Shaam Dhale Aana” (Chitchor),” “Teri bholi muskaan (Babul),” “Goriya re (Naiyya),” and “Jab Deep Jale Aana (Chitchor). Ravindra Jain skilfully utilised the entire vocal range of Yesudas. Memorable tunes like this remain etched in memory.
With Hemlata
One of Ravindra Jain’s most famous and significant partnerships came with singer Hemlata, whom he mentored and helped throughout her career. The first collaboration was the 1972 film “Kaanch Ka Heera,” which started one of the most successful musician-singer partnerships of Hindi cinema.
Some of their films together include “Tapasya (1975),” “Salaakhen (1975),” “Geet Gata Chal (1975),” “Raeeszada (1976),” “Fakira (1976),” “Chitchor (1976),” “Daku Aur Mahatma (1977),” “Dulhan Wahi Jo Piya Man Bhaaye (1977),” “Paheli (1977),” “Shyam Tere Kitne Naam (1977),” “Aakhri Kasam (1978),” “Hamara Sansar (1978),” “Ankhiyon Ke Jharokhon Se (1978),” “Ladke Baap Se Badke (1979),” “Ghar Ki Laaj (1979),” “Raadha Aur Seeta (1979),” “Aatish (1979),” “Dada (1979),” “Naiyya (1979),” “Sunayana (1979),” “Insaaf Ka Tarazu (1980),” “Khwab (1980),” “Raaz (1981),” “Nadiya Ke Paar (1982),” “Meharbaani (1982),” “Sasural (1984),” “Abodh (1984),” “Piya Milan (1984),” and many more.
Some notable songs from these films include “Jab Deep Jale Aana,” “Tu Jo Mere Sur Mein Sur Milaye” (Chitchor), “Akela Chal Chala Chal (Fakira),” “Baj Jayega,” “Mahav-E-Khayal-E-Yaar Hain.,” “Khushiyan Hi Kushiyan Hon,” (Dulhan Wahi Jo Piya Man Bhaaye), “Ankhiyon Ke Jharokhon Se,” “Kai Din Se Mujhe,” “Dohavali,” (Ankhiyon Ke Jharokhon Se),” which remains an evergreen classic to this day.
Nadiya Ke Paar
Hemlata’s voice continues to echo through the annals of Indian music, reminding us of the beauty and emotion that a single voice can convey. One of Jain’s most famous works was “Nadiya Ke Paar,” which has songs like “Gunja Re Chandan,” “Jab Tak Pure Na Ho Phere Saat,” “Jogi Ji Dheere Dheere,” and “Kaun Disa Mein Leke Chala Re Batohiya.” These songs are one of the main reasons behind the mega success of the film and continue to enchant music lovers after over four decades after the release of the film.
Journey to The Top
He composed enchanting melodies for blockbuster films including Chor Machaye Shor (1974), Geet Gaata Chal (1975), Tapasya (1975), Chitchor (1976), Fakira (1976), Dulhan Wahi Jo Piya Man Bhaaye (1977), Ankhiyon Ke Jharokhon Se (1978), Dada (1978), Pati Patni Aur Woh (1979), Sunayana (1979), Ram Teri Ganga Maili (1985), Henna (1990), and Vivah (2006).
Some of her other notable songs include “Jo Raah Chuni Tune (Tapasya),” “Dil Mein Tujhe Bitha Ke,” “Chal Akekla” (Fakira), “Megha O Re Megha (Sunayana),” “Achra Mein Phulwa Lehke (Dulhan Wahi Jo Piya Man Bhaaye),” “Hum Khwab Ko Badal Denge (Khwab),” “Thande Thande Paani Se Nahana (Pati Patni Aur Woh),” “Chandra Bhaal Shobhitam (Abodh),” “Yaad Aati Rahe Shakl Bholi Teri (Lallu Ram),” “Chahe Koi Hath Jode (Sasural),” Ek Radha Ek Meera,” “Husn Pahadon Ka,” “Ram Teri Ganga Maili Ho Gayi,” “Sun Sahiba Sun,” (Ram Teri Ganga Maili), “Chitthiye,” “Der Na Ho Jaye Kahin,” “Main Hoon Khushrang Henna,” (Henna), Aye Meri Raahat-E-Jaan (Ye Aag Kab Bujhegi), “Mujhe Haq Hai,” “Do Anjaane Ajnabi,” “Milan Abhi Aadha Adhura Hai,” (Vivaah) and many more.
Later Career
Despite his blindness, the music composer enjoyed a successful career, contributing to over 120 films. His musical talent wasn’t confined to Hindi cinema; he also showcased his skills in Malayalam, Haryanvi, Gujarati, Punjabi, Bhojpuri, Telugu, Bengali, and more. Notably, he composed songs for well-known TV serials, such as Ramanand Sagar’s “Ramayan” and “Shri Krishna.”
He also composed religious albums in various Indian languages, including Bengali and Malayalam. His contribution to the arts was recognised when he was awarded the Padma Shri in 2015.
Jain’s personal life included marriage to Divya Jain, with whom he had a son named Aayushmaan. He passed away in Mumbai on 9 October 2015 due to multiple organ failure.
Ravindra Jain on IMDB
