Overview
Ravi (1926–2012), born Ravi Shankar Sharma, was an Indian music composer who worked primarily in Hindi cinema during the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s, and later in Malayalam cinema during the 1980s and 1990s under the name Bombay Ravi. Known for his melodious compositions rooted in classical and folk idioms, he scored music for several commercially and critically successful films and is regarded as one of the prominent music directors of the golden era of Hindi film music.
Key facts
| Full name | Ravi Shankar Sharma |
|---|---|
| Known as | Ravi; Bombay Ravi (in Malayalam cinema) |
| Born | 3 March 1926, Delhi |
| Died | 7 March 2012, Mumbai |
| Occupation | Music composer, music director |
| Years active | 1950s–2000s |
| Industries | Hindi cinema, Malayalam cinema |
| Notable awards | Filmfare Award for Best Music Director; National Film Award for Best Music Direction |
Background
Ravi was born in Delhi in 1926. He had no formal training in classical music in his early years and learned music largely on his own, initially singing bhajans. He moved to Bombay (now Mumbai) in the early 1950s in search of work in the film industry. He briefly assisted composer Hemant Kumar before establishing himself as an independent music director.
Career
Hindi cinema
Ravi made his debut as an independent music director with Vachan (1955), which featured the popular lullaby "Chanda mama door ke" sung by Asha Bhosle. The success of the film established him as a composer of accessible, melodic songs. Through the late 1950s and 1960s he composed for a range of social, devotional and family dramas.
His notable Hindi film scores include Chaudhvin Ka Chand (1960), Gharana (1961), China Town (1962), Kaajal (1965), Khaandaan (1965), Do Badan (1966), Humraaz (1967), Aankhen (1968) and Nikaah (1982). He was associated with directors and producers such as Guru Dutt, B. R. Chopra and Ravi Chopra.
Ravi worked extensively with playback singers Mohammed Rafi, Asha Bhosle, Lata Mangeshkar, Mahendra Kapoor and Manna Dey. Among his memorable songs are "Chaudhvin ka chand ho", "Babul ki duayen leti ja", "Aage bhi jaane na tu", "Lo aa gayi unki yaad", "Tumhari nazar kyon khafa ho gayi", "Neele gagan ke tale" and "Dil ke armaan aansuon mein bah gaye".
Malayalam cinema as Bombay Ravi
After a period of relative inactivity in Hindi films during the late 1970s, Ravi was introduced to Malayalam cinema by director Hariharan and writer M. T. Vasudevan Nair. Adopting the screen name Bombay Ravi, he composed for several acclaimed Malayalam films from the mid-1980s onwards, including Panchagni (1986), Nakhakshathangal (1986), Vaishali (1988), Oru Vadakkan Veeragatha (1989), Sargam (1992) and Parinayam (1994). His Malayalam compositions, often built on Hindustani ragas, were widely praised for their lyrical and classical character.
Awards and recognition
- Filmfare Award for Best Music Director for Gharana (1962) and Khaandaan (1966).
- National Film Award for Best Music Direction for the Malayalam film Sargam (1992).
- Kerala State Film Award for Best Music Director for his work in Malayalam cinema.
Style and significance
Ravi's compositions are noted for their simple yet distinctive melodies, restrained orchestration and strong vocal lines that suited the storytelling traditions of Indian cinema. He drew on bhajans, ghazals, qawwalis and folk tunes, and was particularly effective at writing songs for family and social dramas. His later Malayalam work demonstrated a more pronounced classical sensibility, contributing to the musical identity of a significant phase of Malayalam art-house and middle cinema.
Personal life
Ravi lived in Mumbai for most of his working life. His son, Aditya Sharma, also worked in film music. Ravi died in Mumbai on 7 March 2012, a few days after his 86th birthday.