Husnlal Bhagatram are considered to be the first pair of music directors in Indian Film Industry, way back in 1944. It is said that the concept of music directors duo started with them. They served the bollywood in the era of Naushad, Anil Biswas and C. Ramachandra. They trained famous music director Shankar of Shankar Jaikishan.
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Husnlal & Bhagatram were the first Hindi film music directors to work as a duo. Bhagatram was an ace harmonium player and Husnlal was an accomplished violinist and a good classical singer. They were younger brothers of the famous composer of the 40's, Pandit Amarnath, and both worked as his assistants.
In 1944, the duo got their first break in the film Chand. The song, 'Do Dilon Ko Yeh Duniya' sung by Manju, was their very first hit. Husnlal - Bhagatram popularised Punjabi folk music, and featured its lilt and rhythm in their music compositions. In the late 1940s, they became the most celebrated composers with the success of films like Pyar Ki Jeet and Badi Bahen.
Their song, 'Ek Dil Ke Tukde Hazaar Huye' (Pyar Ki Jeet) sung by Mohammed Rafi brought in a new era of sad songs. They took a lot of pains to make sure this song was an instant hit. They also composed the famous song "Suno Suno Ai Duniya Walo, Bapu Ki Yeh Amar Kahani", sung by Rafi.
They worked with highly acclaimed lyricists like Shewan Rizvi, Aarzu Lucknavi, Brajendra Gaud, Kaif Irfani, Sarshar Sailani, Nakshab Jarachavi, Qamar Jalalabadi, Asad Bhopali, Rajendar Krishan and Mulk Raj Bhakri. Besides Rafi, Husnlal - Bhagatram worked with famous playback singers like Ameerbai Karnataki, Suraiyya, Shamshad Begum, Zohrabai Ambala, Lata Mangeshkar, Geeta Dutt, Suman Kalyanpur, and Kishore Kumar.
The duo parted ways by the late sixties. Husnlal left for Delhi and Bhagatram stayed on in Bombay. Today, Husnlal's family resides in Delhi, and Bhagatram's younger son Ashok Sharma is a noted sitar player with Doordarshan.
The duo was born in Village Kahma, District Jalandhar, Punjab.
Husnlal & Bhagatram became the first music director who worked as a pair. They got their first break in the film 'Chand' in 1944. They gave their first hit with 'Do dilon ko yeh duniya milne bhi nahin deti..' sung by Manju.
Films to their credits include:
Songs: