Aadesh Shrivastava : His simplicity enchanted music lovers

Best known for his melodious, romantic ballads, Aadesh Shrivastava composed for both the old and new of Bollywood- from Amitabh Bachchan, Shah Rukh Khan to Ranbir Kapoor.

Whether it was Bachchan’s heartbreaking “Baghban” number “Mai Yahan Tu Wahan”, the love anthem “Suno Na Suno Na” from Khan’s “Chalte Chalte” or the haunting “Mora Piya” from Kapoor’s “Rajneeti”, Aadesh showcased his brilliance with his clean, fresh and simple music in each of his compositions.

Besides his Bollywood career, which boasted of 100 films and several albums, Aadesh was also the only Indian artiste to have collaborated with international stars like Akon, T-Pain, Norah Jones, Soulja Boy, Wyclef Jean, Queen Latifa and Shakira.

The 51-year-old composer, who was fighting a relapsed cancer, died in the wee hours here today.

Aadesh was born in Jabalpur. His passion for music was so strong that he decided to make his career as a composer and moved to Mumbai to try his luck.

He assisted Laxmikant Pyarelal for almost a decade before taking the responsibility of a professional composer.

Aadesh got his first big break with the film “Kanyadaan” in the year 1993. Melody Queen Lata Mangeshkar sang his first song but unfortunately, the film did not release, and his work went unnoticed. His next film “Jaane Tamanna” suffered similar fate but he bounced back with “Aao Pyaar Kare” in which the song “Haathon Mein Jo” was a hit and his fortune turned.

His other films were “Salma Pe Dil Aa Gaya” and “Shastra” and the chart buster “Kya Ada Kya Jalwe Tere Paro” from the latter pulled him in the limelight. In 1998, his music in the film “Angaarey” became a hit.

Aadesh also sang a number of songs such as “Sona Sona”, “Shava Shava” featuring Bachchan, “Gustakhiyaan” and one of his career bests: “Gur Nalon Ishq Mitha”.

He won accolades for his work in “Kunwara”, “Tarkieb” and “Shikari” in the year 2000. In 2001, his success continued with Abhishek Bachchan-starrer “Bas Itna Sa Khwaab Hai”.

Other movies for which he composed music included “Rehnaa Hai Terre Dil Mein”, “Deewaanapan”, “Chalte Chatle”, “Baabul”, “Khuda Kasam” and “Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham”. He also tried his hands in playback singing and his semi classical song “Mora Piya” form 2010 movie “Raajneeti” was a huge hit.

In 2005 he appeared in a TV singing reality show as a judge and the next year he ventured into film direction with a short film on child prostitution titled “Sanaa”. He also did a cameo role in the movie “World Cupp 2011”.

Aadesh married former Bollywood actress and playback singer Vijeta Pandit, who is the sister of music composer duo Jatin-Lalit. The couple have two sons named Anivesh and Avitesh.

In December 2010 Aadesh was diagnosed with cancer.

However, after undergoing chemotherapy he resumed his work in the music industry.

Inputs by PTI