LATE PADMASHRI AVINASH VYAS (1912 – 1984)
Well known lyricist and music director of Hindi and Gujarati films, Avinash Vyas was awarded the "Padma Shri' in 1970. He has composed music for over 250 films out of which 175 are in Gujarati and most of them are silver jubilee films. Probably it is a rare phenomenon that a poet himself also composes his own music and poetry has brought him tremendous popularity in all parts of the country to such an extent that most of his songs are being hummed by millions of his fans all over the country. His unique achievement has been the writing of over 12000 (twelve thousand) lyrics and composing music for the same. He has to his credit more than ten publications of vivid poetry.
In the field of Gujarati, light music Mr. Avinash Vyas's contribution is unmatched. He has written over 125 dance ballets the most famous being Ras-Dulari Ram Shabari, Geetgovind, Parivartan, Anarkali, and Chauladevi, the last two of which featured Asha Parekh. His dance ballets have cut popularity not only in the various cities in India but also abroad.
As a music director, probably it will remain as an all India record that he has bagged highest awards for the best music director from the Government of Gujarat. He was felicitated by the Gujarat Sangeet Natak Academy with a 'Gaurav Puraskar' and in Bombay by Sur Singer-Samsad, Mr. Vyas was awarded 'Sangeet Ratna Bhushan'.
He visited the United Kingdom, the United States of America, West Germany, and Italy several times. The last two countries at the invitation of their respective Governments for a study of their folk music.
Mr. Avinash Vyas remained at the top for four decades and was loved and respected by all in the Gujarati film industry, his contribution to popularise music among Gujaratis will always be remembered. In fact he has often been described as the man who made Gujaratis sing.
Aspiring to sing, Gujarat did not have contemporary songs. The 'new' attracted the mind swinging between the changed contexts of society and the lived folk life and the 'old' was not forgotten. In such twilight, the creator Avinashbhai sang Gujarat with the sound of the melody. He wrote songs, garba, bhajans, ghazals and various occasions, situations, festivals and relationships. Paintings in ballets sometimes with intoned word, simple, smooth and melodious compositions settled in the people's hearts and played on the lips. The pink color of masti and the ocher color of devotion shines parallel in his compositions. When the feeling is expressed, he does not care or care about words. The balance created by Avinashbhai's creativity has given our music 'Gujaratiness'. Avinashbhai aims to make the audience feel happy by keeping his feet on the path of tradition and experimentation. Simple tone, simple words along with simple ideas are at the root of his immense popularity.
Avinashbhai sang wells of songs in the voice of Gujarati and the absorption of songs and music was satisfied. From dry subjects like examination or stone to delicate subjects like Nagarvel or Zanjar, these creations like Sonamhor are beyond the trust of time. Gold will always be currency. The entire musical legacy of this godfather of Gujarati smooth music, who gave Gujarat its Gujarati music, had to be accepted by the students as imperishable music.
It is necessary to say so much while paying tribute to this unique artist of Gujarat Hey town! You are bursting with sound and words!
Anyone who has taken a leaf of this imperishable nectar will surely agree with the statement. Wherever a Gujarati dwells, he is eternally immortal.
Padmashree Avinash Vyas - these three words immediately conjure up the version of a musical giant who reigned supreme over Gujarati Sugam Sangeet and film music for over seven decades. Being a unique combination of a poet and a composer, his compositions were known for the simplicity of words and tunes that struck a chord even with a common man. These ranged from res, garba, geet, bhajan, ghazal and songs based on classical raags that depicted his disenchantment with the corrupt society and politicians, a clear testimony of his versatility and musical genius. Avinash also pioneered the introduction of live music in Gujarati dance-ballets. This set of CDs/Cassettes is merely an attempt at projecting his multi-faceted musical personality embracing his more popular creations, some of which have attained the unlikely status of folksongs.
Purshottam Upadhyay - Chandu Mattani
On the List of top awards in India, Padma Shri is India's fourth highest civilian award. It is awarded to people doing exceptional work in arts, medicine, social services, science, etc. |
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