Pandit Hridaynath Mangeshkar is an illustrious music composer and singer known for his admirable works in Hindi as well as Marathi film industries. He is also recognized as `Balasaheb` in the film and music industry. He is renowned for his inclination of choosing beautiful poems for his compositions. His compositions in fact excellently bring out the true emotions and spirit of the poems. He has also been honoured with many prestigious awards and honours as recognition to his works and contributions. Pandit Hridaynath Mangeshkar has also ventured into the Indian politics and joined the political party Shiva Sena in the year 2009.
Early Life of Pandit Hridaynath Mangeshkar
Pandit Hridaynath Mangeshkar was born to Dinanath Mangeshkar, a noted theatre personality and singer, on 26th October 1937. Previously the family had their last name as Hardikar which was later changed by Deenanath to Mangeshkar. Music icons Lata Mangeshkar, Asha Bhosle, Usha Mangeshkar and Meena Khadikar are the elder sisters of Pandit Hridaynath Mangeshkar.
Career of Pandit Hridaynath Mangeshkar
Pandit Hridaynath Mangeshkar made his debut in the world of music in the year 1955 with the Marathi film Akash Ganga. Subsequently he composed music for a number of other Marathi films such as Nivdung, Umbartha, Jait Re Jait, Sansar and many more. Although he is quite selective in terms of his works, he has composed music for numerous Marathi and Hindi films. He usually composes songs with complex metres which require singers having wide range and depth to deliver a soulful rendition. He has composed Veer Savarkar`s poem `Saagara Pran Talamalala` which has received great appreciations from the music connoisseurs. In the year 1982, he released the album Dnyaneshwar Mauli featuring compositions from the notable poet of Marathi literature Sant Dnyaneshwar. The composition has been regarded as a milestone in the Marathi devotional music.
Pandit Hridaynath Mangeshkar is credited for composing several unforgettable folk songs. Koli Geets or fishermen songs composed by him are also potent in reflecting the true spirit and traditional rhythms of the fishermen belonging to the Konkan. His expertise in this genre of music has been further mirrored by the music of critically acclaimed film Jait Re Jait. His composition in the Marathi movie Nivdung has also received much acclaim. Some of his most cherished Bollywood film scores include movies like Chaani, Dhanwaan, Mashaal, Lal Salaam, Maya Memsaab and Lekin. Pandit Hridaynath Mangeshkar also owns the credit of being the first Indian composer who has composed and released two albums that featured the poems and songs of the poet-saint Sant Meerabai. The albums were titled as Meera Bhajans and Chala Vahi Des. Following this, he has also released an album named Meera Soor Kabeera which featured the works of Meerabai, Surdas and Kabir. Ghazals of Mirza Ghalib has also been released by him in the album Ghalib and the songs are voiced by Lata Mangeshkar. He has also composed music for numerous enchanting melodies sung by Asha Bhosle. He is also credited for many Marathi classic songs in collaboration with renowned Marathi poets including Suresh Bhat and Shanta Shelake which garnered huge popularity.
Achievements of Pandit Hridaynath Mangeshkar
Throughout his celebrated career Pandit Hridaynath Mangeshkar has been honoured with a number of esteemed awards. He has received the National Award from the President of India, seven Maharashtra State Awards for best vocalist and music composer and the Lata Mangeshkar Award of Maharashtra state. The title of Pandit was awarded to him by the people of Maharashtra and he received the honour from Pandit Jasraj and Pt. Bhimsen Joshi. He also received the title of BhaavGandharva from the Shankaracharya. In 2009 he was honoured with the Padmashri in 2009.
Personal Life of Pandit Hridaynath Mangeshkar
Pandit Hridaynath Mangeshkar is married to Bharati Malvankar Mangeshkar who is the daughter of famed Marathi comedy actor Damuanna Malvankar. The couple has two sons named Vaijnath and Aadinath and a daughter Radha.
