Shravan Kumar Biography

Shravan Rathod born on 13th November 1954, is a renowned singer, composer and Indian musician of the 1980s and 1990s. During his childhood, he had attended a recording of Kalyanji-Anandji, which had inspired him to become a music composer later in his life. He learnt Tabla when he was only 5 years of age and at the age of 7 he began giving live performances.

Family

Shravan Kumar is the son of Pandit Chhaturbhuj Rathod who was a playback singer, music director and percussionist. He was married to his former wife and has 3 children Sanjeev Kumar and Darshan Rathod.

They both work in Bollywood industry as the Duo of “Sanjeev-Darshan” His brother Roop Kumar Rathod and Vinod Rathod are also a Music Director and Playback singers in Bollywood.

Career

Shravan Kumar started his music direction along with Nadeem Akhtar both were known as one of the most successful music directors of Bollywood during 1990s and 2000s.

Shravan Kumar and Nadeem have the strong reliance of Hindustani music in their compositions and were the only composers during the 1990s and 2000s who relied heavily on three particular instruments the Bansuri, the sitar and the Shehnai in almost all of their songs.

By using these instruments in a modern way without disconnecting them from their original value, their contribution is unique compared to some rising music directors evolving a new music style beginning in the mid-1990s.

The association of Nadeem Saifi Ashfaq and Shravan dates back to 1973 when they met each other at a function. Shravan Kumar and Nadeem’s first film assignment was Dangal, a Bhojpuri movie in 1973 (released in 1975).

Their first Hindi movie assignment was ‘’Maine Jeena Seekh Liya’’in 1981 sung by Amit kumar.

In 1989, Shravan Kumar three big movies were released: Ilaaka, Hisaab Khoon Ka and Lashkar.

In 1985, the duo composed music for a commercial project called Star Ten. Ten Hindi actors (Mithun, Jackie Shroff, Anil Kapoor, Sachin, Danny, Vijendra, Sulakshana Pandit, etc.) sang some songs with lyrics by Anwar Saagar.

• Anil Kapoor, Vajaita Pandit – Bar Bar Telephone
• Jackie Shroff – Kashmir Se Kaniya Kumar
• Yunh Dhoop Mein – Danny, Kalapna
• Kal Bas Ke Intizar – Shailendra Singh
• Aaj Ki Raat Na Ghar – Vijayndra, Kajal Kiran
• Disco Ki Bimari Ayee – Sachin & Chorus
• Angoori Paani Chhad Gaya – Mithun Chakraborty

Shravan Kumar‘s breakthrough soundtrack album was Aashiqui (1990), which sold 20 million units in India (which was the highest selling copies of that era) and became the best-selling Bollywood soundtrack album of all time.

Nadeem – Shravan Kunar were also behind many of the other best-selling Bollywood soundtrack albums of the 1990s. Their success helped establish the music label T-Series.

The specialty that the duo possesses is that all of their works have done majorly using three particular Hindustani instruments, namely, the Shehnai, the sitar and the Bansuri. Their songs were sung by many singers but mostly by the Ever Green Trio – Alka Yagnik, Udit Naryan and Kumar Sanu.

When Pardes soundtrack was released, the tracks had different varieties of songs “I Love My India” and “Meri Mehbooba”.

Love songs “Do Dil Mil Rahe Hain“

Dissolving Career

In 2005, Shravan Kumar and Nadeem decided to part ways. As it is noticed the irony of this duo and the film they had worked last. The Film they had worked last was named “Dosti” and then this iconic duo decided to part their ways as a result it was their last movie together. Nadeem started his own perfume and bag company and was also involved in solo compositions.

Shravan Kumar was uninterested in continuing with his music, and instead focused on the music careers of his sons (Sanjeev–Darshan) and movie production.

Another reason cited is probably the growing distance between the two. In an interview, Nadeem stated that there wasn’t any conflict between him and Shravan.

In late 2013 it was announced that the duo would work together again on the sequel of Deewana but they later split due to personal conflicts again as a result of which Nadeem decided to return as a solo composer for Ishq Forever in 2015.

Comeback of Nadeem(only)

In the year 2016, Nadeem Saifi-Akhtar made his comeback with lyricist Sameer (lyricist) in the film Ishq Forever. He has split with his partner Shravan and worked on the film as a solo composer.

The film features ten songs. In the year 2017 to continue his musical carrier in the film Ek Haseena Thi Ek Deewana Tha as a solo composer and film is produced and directed by Suneel Darshan.

Collaboration

Shravan along with Nadeem has collaborated with many singers for their movies –

• Kumar Sanu – Aap Ki Yaadein , Jo Pyar Kar Gaye, Teri Mohobbat Mein, Raatein Hain Iqrar ki, Teri Judaai Mein, Yeh Baharein Yeh Nazarein.
• Anuradha Paudwal – Aap se Acchi Aapki Yaadein Hain, Chahe Dunia, Chahe Toofan, Qayamat Aa Jaye, Pal Din Mahine Kayi Saal Hogaye.
• Kavita Krishnamurthy – Paas Reh Kar Bhi Koi Paas Na Ho.
• Alka Yagnik – Tumse Mili Thi College Me, Meri Tamanna Hain Me Amitabh, Hawa Ne Ye Paigham, Khuda Aap Ko Nazar, Pyaar Hua Hain Abhi, Ye Koi Baat Nahi, Aapki Soorat Pe, Tujhko Ghazal Kahoon.
• Sonu Nigam – Hum The Tum The, Ishq Na Mange, Aye Dil Ye Batein,
• Sunidhi Chauhan – O Jaane jaan

Awards

Nadeem and Shravan Kumar had won hearts and soul of millions of people of the country with their remarkable music production.

By the theme and type of music they used to produce it was beautiful enough to leave a mark on the critics who are responsible to choose who the awards should be given.

• Filmfare Best Music Director Award – Aashiqui 1991
• Filmfare Best Music Director Award – Saajan 1992
• Filmfare Best Music Director Award – Deewana 1993
• Special Award London for “Raja” – Raja 1996
• Filmfare Best Music Director Award – Raja Hindustani 1997
• Star Screen Best Music Director Award – Raja Hindustani 1997
• Star Screen Best Music Director Award – Pardes 1998
• Zee Cine Best Music Director – Raaz.