With many melodious songs like Seene Mein Jalan, Saanjh Dhale Gagan Tale and Megha Re Megha Re over the last three decades, Suresh Wadkar has delighted the audiences the world over. He was also the star attraction of the recently concluded musical event ‘Laxmikant- Pyarelal- Ek Pyar Ka Nagma Hai’ that was staged in Hotel Renaissance, Dubai.
During his stay in Dubai, amidst his busy schedule and constantly ringing mobile, I managed to snatch some precious moments with him. The way he speaks is just like the way he sings- soft, soothing and cultured. Speaking in his mother tongue Marathi, Wadkar spoke at length about his career and changing scenario in Hindi film music. These are excerpts of the interview.
Tell us about your entry into film-music.
In the seventies, there used to be a prestigious music competition- ‘Film Sangeet Sammelan’ organized by Sursingar Sansad and attended by young singers from all over India. Eminent judges like Ravindra Jain, Jaidev, Hridaynath Mangeshkar, Sudhir Phadke, Shivkumar Sharma and Harprasad Chourasia awarded me the ‘Madan Mohan Award’ in that competition. While announcing the winners, composer Ravindra Jain also announced on the stage that he would be giving me the first break as playback singer. True to his words, he then gave me my first film- song – Vrushti Pade Taapur Tipur in the Rajshri Production’s film Paheli. That year was 1977.
How was the initial experience in film-industry?
Initially I worked with composer Jaidev- who was a very good friend of my guru Pt. Jiyalal Vasant. I was assisting him in his music and learning more about the process of song-making and recording. Then I got occasional songs like Jeejaji Jeejaji but the opportunities were few and far between. This situation changed for the better thanks to Lata- didi.
Kesariya Balam