Pankaj Mullick: Pioneer of Indian film music
The Hindu
Composer-singer Pankaj Mullick has many firsts to his credit
How historical forces come together in the life of an individual can be a fascinating story. And how, in turn, these individuals shape history, can be equally intriguing. The life journey of Pankaj Mullick — the pioneer of Indian film music — is an extraordinary one. He was born in 1905 into a middle-class family. He underwent training in dhrupad, khayal and tappa forms of Hindustani music. This period in his life was like anyone else’s who lived under those circumstances and in that time. Then, Mullick came to meet Dinendranath Tagore, nephew of poet Rabindranath Tagore, who was also the arranger of his songs. This association turned Mullick towards Rabindra Sangeet, and it became a lifelong passion. He not only gained expertise in this form, which blends classical and folk, but also brought it to the public realm. Tagore was so impressed by Mullick’s ability to compose and sing that he summoned the young boy and expressed his admiration. In fact, Mullick was the first to introduce tabla accompaniment for Rabindra Sangeet.More Related News