Music legend who died unsung
The film on Anthony Gonsalves, which stole the show during the recent MIFF, made cinema buffs aware of the rich contribution of this composer and arranger, writes Rajendra Rajan

Think of the song ‘My Name is Anthony Gonsalves’ from Manmohan Desai’s 1977 classic, Amar Akbar Anthony. The song composed by Laxmikant Pyarelal for this film was a tribute to the music maestro, Anthony Gonsalves, who passed away in Goa recently. It was a sheer coincidence that the 58-minute documentary featuring the journey of Anthony Gonsalves was screened at MIFF-2012 at Mumbai last week after the death of great music legend. Anthony Gonsalves — Music Legend took the audience by a surprise as most of the film buffs were not aware of the rich contribution of this music composer and arranger, which was instrumental in producing melodies in Hindi cinema.

The film overshadowed many other award-winning films at the festival. The film portrays and chronicles the life and creativity of Anthony Gonsalves through his long interviews, interviews of leading music directors, coupled with numerous song sequences arranged by him.

Anthony Gonsalves joined Kardar studios in 1943 as a violinist at the age of 16. He was trained by his father, who was the choir master in a Goan church. He soon moved over to Bombay Talkies. After that, there was no looking back. He worked with renowned music composers of his era viz: Anil Viswas, C. Ramachandra, Shyam Sunder, Naushaad, Khayaam, Madan Mohan, SD Burman etc. Soon he was promoted as an arranger with his background in western music. He introduced western orchestra to Hindi film songs. He also composed introduction and interludes of the songs. “Mausam hai rangeen”, “Barkha bahar aai”, “Tumahre bulane ko jee chahata hai”, “Aaja ri nindiya aa ja”, “Aayega aane wala aayega”, “Mausam hai Ashikana Ae dil kahin se unko doond lana”, “Ae dil mujhe bata de” were some of his hit songs. All these songs weaved into the documentary take the music lovers to the hitherto unknown world of immense creative talent of Anthony Gonsalves, who tastefully decorated his each song.

His songs reflect the versatility of the artist who mastered the art and acumen of bringing vast variety in popular melodies. His heart-throbbing tunes struck an emotional chord with music lovers. Today, when Anthony Gonsalves is no more, lovers of Hindi cinema wonder how this music legend remained unsung. Though, he could easily have become independent music director, he drew solace in cherishing his creativity behind the scenes. He is remembered for his musical arrangements in Mahal, Naya Daur, Dillagi, Pyasa, Paakizah to name a few films.

Not many would know that when Laxmikant-Pyarelal were composing the music for Manmohan Desai’s super hit film Amar Akbar Anthony, it was Pyarelal who suggested to Desai that Amitabh Bachchan’s character be renamed from Anthony Fernandes to Anthony Gonsalves and the song should begin from his name itself. Of course, the song went on to become a household number. 

Says Pyarelal in the film, “When I was 14 year old, I went to Anthony and told him I wanted to learn music from him, even though my father was also a musician. I learnt Indian and western classical instruments from him for many years but he never took any fees from me”. 

Even R. D. Burman learned music from Anthony. He composed and arranged music for nearly 400 movies and 2000 songs between 1943 and 1965. The documentary film on Anthony Gonsalves has been produced by Shrikant Joshi and Mrinalni Joshi, renowned music research scholars of Goa. Director Ashok Rane is a Professor of cinema and a film critic.