Dattaram Wadkar: Known for Dattaram Theka in Hindi film music

Dattaram Wadkar: Known for Dattaram Theka in Hindi film music 

Very recently, I was listening to one song from the film Ab Dilli Door Nahin which was made in 1957 and the song was Chhun Chhun Karti Aayi Chidiya. This is a children's song sung by Mohammed Rafi. Its music was composed by Dattaram Wadkar. The rhythm for this song was the genesis of dholak and so distinctive and came to be known as Dattaram Theka in the music circle of Bollywood. Many music directors remained unsung in the history of Bollywood music and Dattaram was one of them. In any time, the history of Hindi Film music will be written, the name of Dattaram cannot be forgotten. In fact, his name would be on the top as a prominent music director of Hindi films.

From Yogesh Gogwekar

Dattaram Wadkar was born in Pedne village of Goa in a poor family in 1930. His original surname was Shirodkar and not Wadkar. There are no proper details available about the change of his name from Shirodkar to Wadkar. Since he spent his childhood in Sawantwadi, he was known to be Wadkar. His musical training started from his father who was a good Tabala Player. In 1942, Dattaram along with his mother came to Mumbai to earn his bread and butter. In his earlier days, he worked as a loader in Bombay docks. After seeing his interest in Tabala playing, his mother introduced him to Pt. Pandharinath Nageshkar who ultimately becomes his formal trainer in Tabala and Dholak. He started playing Tabala and Dholak with noticeable skill. Later on, he learnt from Yashwant Kerkar and on the recommendation of Kerkar he worked with music composer Saijad Hussain for three months. Therefore, he is always thankful to his mother who insisted him to learn the musical instruments to earn his living.

Dattaram Wadkar was fond of bodybuilding and a regular visitor to Gym. In Gym, he met Shankar of Shankar Jaikishan fame who was also a regular visitor of the same Gym. Once Shankar saw the pair of Tabala and started playing it. After hearing the Tabala Playing of Shankar, Dattaram was overwhelmed and made Shankar his Guru. Shankar took him to Kapoors at Prithvi Theatre and took his as an assistant in the film Barsat. After that Dattaram assisted Shankar in 50 films-continuing till Raj Kapoor’s film Mera Naam Joker.

Dataram’s work was very much noticed when he played the Duff for the song Mera Nam Raju in Jis Deshme Ganga Behati Hai. Therefore, Raj Kapoor signed him as a music composer for the next RK Banner film Ab Dilli Door Nahin in which the song Chhun Chhun Karti Aayi Chidiya was catchy and Dattaram Theka became famous. Before this film, he became famous for rhythm player due to his contributions in music compositions for songs like Raja Ki Aayegi Barat in Aah, Ichak Dana Bichak Dana and Mud Mud Ke Na Dekh in Shree 420, Ek Bewafa Se Pyar Kiya in Awara. But his real break came in Parvarish which was made in 1958.  In this film Raj Kapoor was playing the main role. Two songs of this film Ansu Bhari hain and Masti bhara Hai Sama gave him popularity. Similarly, his composition in film Qaidi No.911 (1959) for song Pyar Bhari Ghataye was noted. He further composed nearly 15 or 16 films like Santan (1959), Shriman Satyawadi, Kala Adami (1960), Zindagi Aur Khwab, Neeli Ankhen (1962), Intezar, First love (1961), Jab Se Tumhe Dekha Hai (1963), Tarzan Comes to Delhi (1969) etc. His last film was Ek Din Aadhi Rat which was made in 1971.

Dattaram is an example of a melodically oriented composer. His music was melodious, sweet and pleasant to listen. He composes songs in all genres and those simple but attractive tunes which bring a wave of freshness.  He worked with other music directors like Laximikant Pyarelal and very much trusted man of Raj Kapoor. He worked for Bobby and later on he decided to retire and settled down in Maulinguem, Bicholim Goa. He also did the music composition for Marathi film Premachi Savali in which former Test Cricketer Sunil Gavaskar has been starred.

Such a music director who crafted hit songs for Bollywood over the decades has been forgotten in his time of need. He died on 8th June 2007 at the age of 78. I always like his music composition for the song Ansu Bhari hain Jeevan Ki Raahe which depicts a broken heart and convinces us that the ways of life are full of sorrow. This song was beautifully sung by Mukesh. Other than Mukesh’s voice, we can hear Tabala, Veena and Sarangi played by Ustad Zahoor Ahmed Khan.

Mumbai

25/06/2020