Face of Nation : If we can pretty much select one thing out of popular film culture that is a joy for all, it’s the music. Majority of people who have seen a particular film will remember the songs and it’s a great reflection of the film or a desire to watch the film again. How scenes come alive, how tension increases, how resolutions are arrived at, how feelings are finally consoled and standard methods that are formulated to arouse suspense, can all be attributed to the magic and use of music.
Filmmakers have used the rich tradition of music in India in their films to elevate their product and to achieve climactic turns of feelings that a two hour show must have. Vishal Bhardwaj, filmmaker and musician from Western UP, is a known composer among them and also one who gives sensation and excitement through music that makes his films memorable.
In one of his interviews, Bhardwaj revealed how his late father, a poet, was the one who brought the influence of music in his life while he was growing up. Bhardwaj also recalled how his left hand in music is strong because he played mandolin when he was young. He later combined all of poetry and music he had learnt when he started making films. Growing up, Bhardwaj was self-admittedly also caught up in a battle between making cricket or Bollywood his profession, efforts in each direction not going consciously unnoticed. Good fate, he claimed, cricket did not stick for long.
Bhardwaj started composing music in films like Chachi 420 (1997), Satya (1998) among others which made him a sound source in the industry. With direction, he carved a niche by using music as a thematic tool to drive narrative and characters. Bhardwaj is also celebrating his 54th birthday today. So lets take a look at his films where music created a world for itself, manipulated the viewer’s emotions and helped them immerse into the story.
