Hansraj Behl (19 November 1916 – 20 May 1984) was an Indian music composer, who composed music both for Hindi and Punjabi films. Hansraj is now widely considered to be a well-respected composer who created his own trends.[1][2][3]

Early life and education

Born on 19 November 1916 in Sheikhupura (now in Punjab, Pakistan), then in British Punjab, Hansraj received his early education in music from Pandit Acharay Chiranjivilal 'Jigyasu'.[1] His father was a zamindar (landlord) in his area.[1][3]

Career

Hansraj Behl opened a music school in Anarkali Bazaar, Lahore, Punjab, British India and released a few non-film records through His Master's Voice. Hansraj, along with his younger brother Gulshan Behl and poet and film songs lyricist Verma Malik, travelled to Bombay in 1944 to pursue a career as a music director in Hindi film industry. His uncle Chunnilal Behl introduced him to the famous actor Prithviraj Kapoor. He managed to make his debut as a composer with film Pujari (1946), directed by Ardeshir Irani. He introduced the noted playback singer Asha Bhosle who made her Hindi film debut when she sang, along with Zohrabai Ambalewali, the song Saawan aaya for Hansraj Behl's film Chunariya (1948).[3][4]

In 1964, he gave music for hit Punjabi film by Padam Prakash Maheshwary titled Satluj De Kandhe, starring Balraj Sahni, Nishi, Wasti, and Mirza Musharraf. The patriotic hit, "Jahan Daal Daal Pe Sone Ki Chidiya Karti Hai Basera.." sung by Mohammed Rafi in the film Sikandar-e-Aazam (1965), starring Prithviraj Kapoor was one of his last memorable number. Hansraj Behl and Master Ghulam Haider are widely considered to be two well-respected music directors of Indian Film Industry even among the musicians.[1][3]

Death

He worked with film song lyricists like Pandit Indra Chandra, D. N. Madhok, Prem Dhawan, Verma Malik, Asad Bhopali, Qamar Jalalabadi and Naqsh Lyallpuri during his four-decade-long career and scored music for nearly 67 films.[3][1]

Hansraj Behl died of liver cancer on 20 May 1984.[1]

Filmography

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u "Hansraj Behl (music director)". Indian Cinema Heritage Foundation (Cinemaazi.com) website. Archived from the original on 19 November 2020. Retrieved 26 February 2025.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j "Filmography of Hansraj Behl". Upperstall.com website. Archived from the original on 29 July 2012. Retrieved 12 February 2023.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Ajay Deshpande (22 December 2013). "Hansraj Behl: a forgotten name". Apnaarchive website. Retrieved 22 September 2019.
  4. ^ "Asha, 70 years, 70 landmarks". Rediff.com Movies. 8 September 2003. Retrieved 22 September 2019.
Allikas: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hansraj_Behl
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