Narhar Chitalkar Ramchandra

alias Ramachandra Chitalkar, C Ramchandra Source: 'Encyclopaedia of Indian Cinema', British Film Institute, 1999 (By Ashish Rajadhyaksha and Paul Willemen)

Composer born in Putnatambe, Maharashtra. Best known as C.Ramachandra but also signed his name as Annasaheb (Bahadur Pratap, Matwale, Madadgaar), Ram Chitalkar (Sukhi Jeevan, Badla, Mr Jhatpat, Bahadur, Dosti), Shyamoo (Yeh Hai Duniya). Often sang and acted in Marathi films under the name R.N.Chitalkar. Music student under Vinayakbua Patwardhan at Gandharva Mahavidyalaya music school. Joined films playing the lead in Y.V.Rao's flop, Naganand. Then bit roles at Minerva Movietone (Saeed-e-Havas, Atma Tarang). Became Harmonium accompanyist for Minerva composers Bindu Khan and Habib Khan. Debut as music director in Tamil films with Jayakkodi and Vanamohini. Broke through as composer in Master Bhagwan's Sukhi Jeevan, establishing a long-term association that culminated with the musical megahit Albela. Influenced by Benny Goodman, he introduced e.g. the alto sax in combination with guitar and harmonica, also whistling in one of his most famous songs, Aana meri jaan Sunday ke Sunday in Shehnai. Used a bongo, oboe, trumpet, clarinet and sax combination for Shola Jo Bhadke in Albela. Shin Shinaki Boobla Boo featured him singing the title song with Lata Mangeshkar assimilating some rock rhythms. Introduced scat singing for Ina mina dika in Aasha. Worked on Marathi, Telugu, Tamil and Bhojpuri films. Briefly turned producer with New Sai Prod. in 1953 (Jhanjhar, Lehren, Duniya Gol Hai). To overcome a fallow period in the late 60s, he relaunched himself as music director, producer and actor in successful Marathi films: Dhananjay, Gharkul. Autobiography published in 1977.