Ravindra Jain (28 February 1944–9 October 2015) won the Filmfare Best Music Director Award in 1985 and was born blind to well-known Sanskrit scholar and Ayurvedacharya, Pandit Indramani Jain and mother Kiran Jain and his family hail from Aligarh. He is the third child among seven brothers and a sister.
He was a well-respected figure, and considered a role model for many people, as he overcame his disability of blindness. The legendary blind musician was the “son of Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh”, named Ramgarh by Jat ruler Surajmal, and later, ‘Aligarh’, by Shia Muslim Mughal commander, Najaf Khan, thus leading it to be the seat of Aligarh Muslim University. Not without meaning thus was his first released film, Kanch Aur Heera, released on 31 July 1972.
He started singing at a very young age, reciting Jain bhajans and poetry by famous Jain poets such as Pandit Dyanantraiji, Pandit Bhdhjanji, etc. at nearby Jain Temples. It was Ravindra Jain’s parents that first decided to teach him music. Jain received basic training under Pandit G. L. Jain, Pandit Janardhan Sharma, and Pandit Nathu Ram. Jain’s entry into films was in 1960 in Calcutta. Ten years later, Prathibhushan Bhattacharya took Jain to Mumbai where Jain composed his film Kranti and Balidan. In January 1972, Jain started his film career as a composer with his first film song being recorded in Mohd. Rafi’s voice — a song that remains unreleased to this day.
Ravindra Jain is one of the most notable Hindi music directors who started his career in the early 1970s, composing for hit films such as Saudagar (1970), Chor Machaye Shor (1974), Geet Gaata Chal (1975), Chitchor (1976), Dulhan Wahi Jo Piya Man Bhaaye (1977), Paheli (1977) and Ankhiyon Ke Jharokhon Se (1978). Nadiya ke paar (1982). Along with composing music, he also wrote the lyrics for many of his famous songs. Ravindra Jain’s father died during the recording sessions of the film Saudagar, however, Jain did not leave the studio until the recordings were finalised giving utmost importance to his work.
One of his most famous songs is Akhiyon Ke Jharokhon Se from the film of the same name. Raj Kapoor, made him compose many super hit songs in movies such as Ram Teri Ganga Maili, Do Jasoos and later Henna (film), directed by Randhir Kapoor. B.R.Chopra gave him projects like Pati Patni Aur Woh (1978) and Insaf Ka Tarazu (1980) whereas Hrishikesh Mukherjee asked him to compose music for Kotwaal Saab (1977).
Ravindra Jain also composed for a few non-Hindi films including Sujatha, Sukham Sukhakaram, Aakashathinte Niram (Malayalam);Mhaarab Peehar Saasra, Kunba (Haryanvi); Chadi Jawani Budhe Nu (Punjabi); Gomti ni Shakhe, Shree Krishna Sharnam Mamah (Gujarati); Ganga se Naata ba Hamaar, Ganga Maiya Bhar de Achalwa Hamaar, Gaon Desh, Gaon aaja Pardesi, Nadiya ke teer, Piya Milan ke aas, Laagi aisi Lagan, and Jalsa ghar ki devi (Bhojpuri); Harishchandra Shaibya, Dristi (unreleased), Phoolan Devi, Bhaalodeshe Radha, Ananya, Bhanga Gara, Punorutthaan, Sesh Aghat , and Pati Param Guru (Bengali); Brahmarishi Vishwamitra (Telugu); Pardesi Chadhej jaa debi Sarva Bhuteshu (Oriya), and Educated Binani (Rajasthani).
During the 1980s and 1990s, Ravindra Jain widely composed for most mythological movies including Navaratri, Gopal Krishna, Jai Karoli Maa, Har Har Gange, Durgaa Maa, Badrinath Dham, Solah Shukrawar, Raja Harishchandra, Bolo he Chakradhari, Brahmarishi Vishwamitra in Telugu, Shanivrat Mahima and Jai Shakumbhari Maa.
