MUMBAI: Filmmaker Yash Chopra released a book on late composer Madan Mohan in Mumbai.
The book was launched at a musical show held in memory of the late composer. Said Chopra, “I have been an admirer of Madanji’s music but did not get the opportunity to work with him in his lifetime. It is indeed miraculous that my film Veer-Zaara could use his unused melodie 30 years after his demise, as the soundtrack. It was almost as if he had left behind a tune for every conceivable situation in my film.”
The function featured 30 songs from the repertoire of Madan Mohan, rendered by singers. The hits sung on the occasion included Aapki Nazaron Ne Samjha, Hum Pyaar Mein Jalnewalon Ko, Lag Ja Gale, Tum Jo Mil Gayo Ho, Kaun Aaya Mere Man Ke Dware, Phir Wohi Shaam, Jhumka Gira Re, Dil Dhoondhta Hai and various others including Tere Liye from Veer-Zaara.
Approximately 40 musicians formed the orchestra that featured only acoustic instruments without electronics – to recreate the sound of the golden era of music.
The book titled, Ultimate Melodies, has been written and compiled by Vishwas Nerurkar and Bishwanath Chatterjee. It features write-ups on the legend by Yash Chopra, Gulzar, Manna Dey, Sadhana, Bhupinder Singh, and Madan Mohan’s family members. The book also documents various facets of Madan Mohan’s life, and all the songs and films for which he composed. It is a journey through his career spanning 25 years, which was cut short by his untimely demise at the age of 51.
Madan Mohan’s elder son and Yash Raj Films’ CEO Sanjeev Kohli said, “It is our privilege that 32 years after the demise of our father, he is being honoured by his fans through this book that will further perpetuate his memory and melodies. With Veer-Zaara, the younger generation got more familiar with his compositions, and through this book, his admirers will learn so much more about their favourite composer.”
Madan Mohan composed for over a 100 films during his career, and won several posthumous awards for the music in Yash Chopra’s film Veer-Zaara, including an IIFA Award.
