ARITRO GHOSH
MUSIC OF THE LESSER
PRIVILEGED HEROES
It’s usually said that when he takes
something away from you, something
else is given back in return. There are
many historical people who, while
suffering from certain disabilities,
have given us more than what most of
us “general” individuals couldn’t. Let’s
talk about some of them.
Music is such a field, wherein the past
and present is witness to how names
like Stevie Wonder, Ray Charles,
George Shearing and so on. In India,
we even have witnessed the famous
lyricist and singer, Ravindra Jain,
who helped lay the path for classical
musicians of the present. Alongside his
contemporaries, like Pandit Bhimsen
Joshi and Jagjit Singh, he contributed
heavily to the world of Indian classical
music. Having built his career as a
talented composer, he has contributed
to several Bollywood films including
Saudagar, Chor Machaye Shor,
Chitchor and several more. Having
worked with the great Raj Kapoor
in Ankhiyon ke Jharoken Se, he
ultimately went on to compose for other
classic hindi films with the Kapoors.
He was an example as a composer,
always showing strict dedication
and devotion to every taal which
he was trying to create. Apart from
bollywood, he’s left a mark in other
cultures as well; having sung songs for
Telegu, Oriya, Bhojpuri, Rajasthani,
as well as Haryanvi films. He has also
contributed to Bengali films like Pati
Param Raja and Bhalobeshe Radha.
Another cherished name is of Sri
Mohan Chandrashekharan, a violinist
who has performed various duets and
given fantastic memories to the field of
Carnatic music. Having lost his sight
at a very early age, he found his solace
in a violin; and thus gave us all the
privilege to listen to his heart.
Some of the most prominent names
in musical history however are Ray
Charles, Stevie Wonder, and Art
Tatum. They are still considered icons
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of their own specific genres of music;
especially Art Tatum, whose skills as
a jazz pianist inspire people to forego
with their own love for piano.
In the world of blues, there was none
who could make Why Did You Away
the classic that it is today. Largely
influenced by the great Nat King
Cole, there were few at that time so
influential, who could bring out the
soul of soul music like a visual of
temptation. The bass of his voice was
one of unique style; much like Frank
Sinatra, who's voice had a rhythm
generations still remember. As Sinatra
once said, that he was the only true
genius in the world of show business;
having had a career spreading multiple
genres, and having records spanning
decades of fame even after he's gone.
Stevie Wonder, the most talented of
his generation and considered to be
a child prodigy, gave over thirty top
ten hits and has been placed in the
Guiness Book for having won the
most Grammys till date for his music,
which is a whopping 25 among 74
nominations. Stevie Wonder, though
one of the greatest living R&B blues
icons today. The You Are the Sunshine
of My Life singer, no matter how many
records he’s sold, was and always has
been a very simple man. He believed
that just because a person lacks eyes
doesn’t mean he lacks the vision. His
vision was what Clarence Paul saw in
him, and gave him the name “Little
Stevie Wonder”, before signing him
to Motown, and then becoming his
mentor. To this day, Sunset is one of
their most beautiful collaborations.
Superstition, one of Wonder’s most
famous songs was fully improvised
during the album session for Talking
Book. Stevie Wonder had told Jeff Beck
to keep playing the drums while he
created most of the song on the spot; he
even made the famous riff.