Manohari Singh facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Manohari Singh
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| Also known as | ManohariDa |
| Born | March 8, 1931 Kolkata, Bengal Presidency, British India |
| Origin | Indian Gorkha |
| Died | 13 July 2010 (aged 79) Mumbai, Maharashtra, India |
| Genres | Duo Composition, Classics |
| Occupation(s) | Music director, Music arranger, saxophonist |
| Instruments | Alto Saxophone, Soprano Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone, Trumpet, Flute, Piccolo, Clarinet, Mandolin, Pan Flute, Harmonium, Bansuri, Recorder |
| Years active | 1942-2010 |
Manohari Singh (born March 8, 1931 – died July 13, 2010) was a very talented Indian musician. He was best known as a saxophonist and a music director. Manohari Singh also worked as the main music arranger for the famous film composer R. D. Burman. He even composed music with Basudeb Chakraborty, and they were known as Basu-Manohari.
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Manohari Singh's Early Life and Musical Journey
Manohari Singh was born in Kolkata, India. His father and uncle were also musicians, playing in brass bands. This helped him discover music early on.
In 1942, when he was just 11 years old, Manohari joined a brass band. This band was at the Bata Shoe Company in Kolkata. He learned a lot from the band's Hungarian leader, Joseph Newman.
When Newman left the company in 1945, Manohari followed him to HMV. At HMV, he started playing music for Hindi and Bengali songs. He also played the flute and piccolo for the Calcutta Symphony Orchestra.
Manohari learned to play many instruments, including the English key flute, the clarinet, and the mandolin. He then decided to learn the saxophone so he could play in nightclubs.
Manohari Singh's Career in Film Music
In 1950, Manohari Singh started his own band. Later, in 1958, he moved to Mumbai to work in the Hindi film industry. His first big chance came in 1958. He played the saxophone for the movie Sitaron Se Aage, working with Sachin Dev Burman.
Manohari Singh played with many different music directors. But his strongest connection was with R.D. Burman. He played the saxophone in many of R. D. Burman's songs. Besides playing, Manohari Singh was also R. D. Burman's music assistant and arranger. This meant he helped put the music together.
Famous Songs and Achievements
Manohari Singh played on many popular songs. One famous song he played on was "Gaata Rahe Mera Dil." This song was from the movie Guide, composed by S.D. Burman. He also played for songs in movies like Chalte Chalte and Veer Zaara.
He even released his own album called Sax Appeal. This album featured saxophone versions of many Hindi movie songs. Manohari Singh loved his special gold-plated Selmer saxophone. He bought it in New York City in 1969 and took great care of it.
As part of the duo Basu-Manohari, he composed music for the movie Sabse Bada Rupaiya in 1976.
Awards and Recognition
Manohari Singh received special honors for his musical contributions. On March 19, 2006, he was celebrated at the Yashwantrao Chavan Natya Gruha for his 75th birthday.
He also won the "Memorable Contribution to Music Award." This award was given at the Tata Indicom Radio Mirchi Music Awards on March 27, 2009.
Passing Away
Manohari Singh passed away on July 13, 2010, in Mumbai. He died after a cardiac arrest.
Selected Film Music Work
Manohari Singh worked on music for several films, including:
- Santaan (1989) - a Nepalese Movie
- Kanyadan (1991) - a Nepalese Movie
- Sabse Bada Rupaiya (1976) - a Hindi movie (as Basu-Manohari)
