A strange connection exists between composer Salil Chowdhary and the way music is composed in most Malayalam films now. When the Bengali composer, whose birth centenary was on Tuesday, first came to Malayalam, it was common practice for lyricists to write the lines, based on which the composer would compose the tunes.

One of the earliest times when this entire modus operandi was changed was when Chaudhary began composing his evergreen classic soundtracks. chemminAlthough there was initially considerable resistance to the idea, it was the starting point of a change, with most young composers now composing melodies first into which lyrics fit later.

Already a big name in Bengali and Hindi film music, Choudhary’s association with filmmaker Ramu Kariat through the Indian People’s Theater Association (IPTA), for whom he composed revolutionary songs, paved his way to Malayalam film music. Paved.

songs of chemmin These are identified with the coastal life of Kerala, but the musical influences of these songs are also drawn from the folk traditions of the region, from where they blend well with western orchestrations.

“Most composers weave the later parts of a song into their own distinctive style, but Salilda’s signature was on every song he composed. No matter what genre it is, we can recognize his distinctive style from the very beginning. It is not easy to have such a different identity and at the same time bring about drastic changes in it as he did. He was truly a blessing that Malayalam cinema got from Bengal,” says composer Sharreth.

As a music reality show host, he says the number of young children who still like to sing his songs is a testament to his influence.

He composed hundreds of Malayalam songs for 27 films, the melodies of which are equally beautiful and complex. Sagarme Santhamakani From madanolasavam, Oru Mukham Mathram Kannifrom me Etho Oru Swapnam, Keli Nalinam From Tulavarsham, Kadarumasam From ezhu rathrikaland solar weaponfrom me Swapnam,

His most prolific musical partnership was with ONV Kurup, with whom he sang 45 songs, followed by Vayalar Rama Varma and Sreekumaran Thampi. No Onam season passes without listening to Chaudhary’s Onam songs – Poovili Poovili Poonanamayi From Vishukkani And onappuve poove From e ganam marakkumo,

“His music was a complete revolution compared to what Malayalees had heard in his films. He had a good command of Hindustani, had assimilated the folk traditions of Bengal and was well versed in Western classical music. This combination was of great benefit to him, and the coming together of these influences is evident in his compositions,” says singer G. Venugopal says.

Salil Chowdhary with Lata Mangeshkar (Kadhali Chenkadhali, Nellu) and Manna De (Mansa Main, Chemmin) to sing in malayalam. He made his last song melodious in Malayalam Kathil Thenmazhayee In thamboli kadappuramAlmost thirty years ago, but his music still remains fresh and relevant in the Malayali cultural sphere.