Music Career - Marathi and Hindi Film Music

As a prolific composer, lyricist and singer, Master Krishna achieved great success in the film music world. He would not need even a harmonium or lyrics, and could create a tune based on the situation and context in the story narrated to him. He would compose in his mind and hum the tune that had formed, on the spot. Being highly creative, he would compose and offer several tune options for each song.

Such was the popularity of his film songs, that he would be requested by the audience to sing them even at his classical music concerts, and he was the first musician to present film music on the classical stage

Master Krishna would do full justice when singing popular film songs at a concert, presenting them with great innovative skills and elaborate style. The audience got to hear something different each time. He did not consider any music ‘high brow’ or ‘low brow’, and sang all kinds of music, including that of the region in which he was performing.

As many singers have experienced, his tunes seem simple enough, but are actually challenging to sing, it needs a lot of practice and understanding to bring that same grace and emotion while singing them. While it may have looked effortless while he composed a song, the small touches, the facets that he added, gave each song a unique and complex quality.

Master Krishna joined Prabhat Film Company in 1934 to compose music for the Marathi and Hindi film Dharmatma. Earlier, he had composed completely new and unique tunes for the devotional songs in the play Kanhopatra. Until that time, the practice was to use existing tunes from classical bandish compositions, traditional devotional abhang tunes, and other such sources for songs in musical plays. His path-breaking compositions for 'Kanhopatra' opened up a new era in Bhaktisangeet. For the film Dharmatma too, he took a new creative decision of composing the devotional songs based on the foundation of pure classical music. Until then, devotional songs in films were sung to the established tunes and rhythms of traditional Varkari music, popular abhangs and aartis. He composed some of the songs of Dharmatma in Bhimpalas, the raag in which the film’s singer-actor Bal Gandharva was so steeped. In this way, by using classical music to create fresh tunes, Master Krishna built a new framework for devotional music in films.

Master worked as music director in the following films:

Prabhat Films (Marathi & Hindi)

• Dharmatma (1935) (Hindi version: Dharmatma)
• Gopalkrishna (1938) (Hindi version: Gopalkrishna)
• Manus (1939) (Hindi version: Aadmi)
• Shejari (1941) (Hindi version: Padosi)
  The movie Shejari opens with a devotional bhajan 'Shri Ramache Ayodhya Nagar' sung (playback) by Master Krishna.

Prabhat Film Company released the following films only in Hindi

• Amarjyoti (1936)
• Vahaan (1937)
• Lakharani (1945)

The film Sadhvi Meerabai (1937) was based on the musical play Amritsiddhi produced by the Gandharva Natak Mandali. Master co-composed the music and also acted in the film.

Rajkamal Kalamandir

• Bhakticha Mala (1944) (Hindi version: Mali)

This was Rajkamal’s first ever Marathi film. Master Krishna was the music director for this film and sang the abhangs and songs. He also played the lead role of Sant Shiromani Savata Maharaj. For all the scenes involving working the plough, drawing water from a well with a heavy wheel, driving a bullock cart were done by Master Krishna himself, without the use of a body-double. With his deeply spiritual and devout nature, he suited the part beautifully, and did full justice to the role. The film became extremely popular soon after its release. Devotees from far away villages would travel with their families to Pune or Mumbai by bullock cart to watch this film. Rajkamal brought out a Hindi version 'Mali' so that this film could be shown all over India.

Vikas Pictures

• Meri Amanat (1947)

Master Krishna played the role of a teacher and sang in this film. Sridhar Parsekar composed the music; but Master composed music for his own songs in this film. All the songs of this film were very popular.

Films for which Master Krishna composed the music:

Atre Pictures

• Vasantsena (1942)

Although the film didn't do well commercially, all the songs, like Ala Udayala Nabhi Chandrama Ala, composed by Master Krishna, became very popular. Avid listeners would urge him to sing these songs in his concerts, and he would perform them in his own style.

Aryan Film Company

• Tai Telin (1953)

The film was a commercial success, with songs composed by Master Krishna.

Manik Studios

• Keechakavadh (1959) (Hindi version Keechakavadh)

Shatrujit Films

• Vithu Majha Lekurwala (1962)

Raja Nene Productions Chandrama Pictures

• Sant Ramdas (1949)

  Master Krishna composed the devotional music for this film directed by Raja Nene.