The history of Saregama, a celebrated record label that has played an instrumental role in shaping India’s music industry from its humble beginnings through to becoming an iconic cultural figure today. Join me as I explore Saregama’s incredible past – its milestones, legendary artists, and lasting contributions to world of music!
1. The Origins of Saregama
In the early 1900s, music underwent dramatic change with the advent of gramophone technology, revolutionizing how people experienced and consumed it. A visionary Indian entrepreneur named Hemendra Mohan Bose recognized recorded music’s immense potential and initiated what later became Saregama Records.
Hemendra Mohan Bose was a prominent businessman and music enthusiast who established The Gramophone Company of India in Calcutta (now Kolkata) in 1901, inspired by Emile Berliner’s gramophone technology. This innovative venture brought recorded music into Indian households during an era when live performances were the primary way of enjoying music; listening to pre-recorded sounds proved both intriguing and alluring to many listeners.
At first, The Gramophone Company of India focused on importing and distributing international recordings, introducing India’s people to the musical sounds from all corners of the globe. This early venture laid the groundwork for Saregama’s future endeavors in Indian music industry.
As recorded music became more and more popular, so too did The Gramophone Company of India’s ambitions. Recognizing the rich heritage and diversity of Indian classical music, The Gramophone Company of India began working closely with renowned classical musicians to record their performances – marking a major turning point in its journey as it transitioned towards promoting and preserving it through recorded sound media.
Early recordings showcased the mastery of legendary artists such as Ustad Bismillah Khan, Pandit Ravi Shankar and Ustad Vilayat Khan – not only did these recordings capture the essence of Indian classical music but they also helped it reach an ever-wider audience by transcending time and space limitations. Through the Gramophone, music lovers could now enjoy soul-stirring ragas and intricate taals at any time they chose, thus opening a new chapter in Indian musical history.
The Gramophone Company of India continued to expand their catalog, recording folk music from different regions in India to show its rich cultural tapestry and preserve traditional folk songs while making them accessible for people from diverse backgrounds to appreciate their beauty and significance.
Over time, the company’s dedication to recording and distributing Indian music led it to be known as Saregama. The name combines four notes from Indian classical music’s scale that represent melody and rhythm as the foundation of melody and rhythm; its origin symbolizes its mission of celebrating artistic traditions within India.
Saregama marked a new era for Indian music when it launched as an independent label in 1936. Their early efforts laid the groundwork for future endeavors and established them as one of the pioneers of recorded music. Saregama would go on to influence generations after themselves through shaping Indian music through recordings.
2. The Golden Era of Indian Music
Saregama quickly evolved, becoming an integral component of what has come to be known as the “Golden Era” of Indian music spanning from 1940s-1960s. During this era, remarkable talent, creativity, and innovation came together in breathtaking harmony, producing timeless melodies still revered today.
Saregama played an instrumental role in supporting and developing some of India’s greatest music directors and playback singers during this era, such as S.D. Burman, Naushad, Shankar-Jaikishan, and Roshan who revolutionized film music through their unique compositions and arrangements.
S.D. Burman is widely acclaimed as the architect of India’s Golden Era film music era with his soulful melodies and innovative exploration of different genres, captivating audiences worldwide with their compositions that displayed Indian music’s versatility. Saregama’s partnership with S.D. Burman led to timeless classics like
“Mera Sundar Sapna Beet Gaya” from Do Bigha Zamin and “Yeh Dil Na Hota Bechara” from Jewel Thief among many others!
Naushad, another legendary music director, brought grandeur and classical elegance to film music with his compositions that combined Indian classical ragas with orchestral arrangements to produce an unmatched sonic experience. Saregama collaborated with Naushad in creating unforgettable melodies such as
“Mere Mehboob Tujhe” from “Mere Mehboob” and “Pyar Kiya To Darna Kya” from “Mughal-E-Azam.”
Shankar-Jaikishan were an energetic duo that brought youthful vibrancy and elements of Western music into Indian film scores, popularizing Western instruments in Indian film scores for films like Awaara and Don. Saregama collaborated with them, producing evergreen hits like “Awaara Hoon” from Awaara and “Yeh Mera Dil” from Don.
Roshan made a name for himself during this era with his soulful melodies and poetic compositions, becoming a prominent artist at Saregama and giving rise to timeless gems such as “Jo Wada Kiya Woh” from “Taj Mahal” and “Bichhde Hue Pardesi” from “Barsaat Ki Raat.”
Saregama played a pivotal role in supporting extraordinary playback singers who became the voices behind iconic Golden Era songs such as Lata Mangeshkar, Asha Bhosle, Mohammed Rafi, Kishore Kumar and Mukesh to name just a few. Their names would grace Saregama’s extensive catalog.
Lata Mangeshkar was widely revered as the Nightingale of India, becoming associated with Saregama Records as she sang melodious renditions crafted by legendary music directors to connect with millions of listeners worldwide.
Songs like “Lag Jaa Gale” from “Woh Kaun Thi” and “Tere Bina Zindagi Se” from “Aandhi” showed Lata Mangeshkar’s talent as she left an indelible mark on Indian film music history.
Asha Bhosle was revered for her extraordinary voice and unconventional singing style, breaking new ground through Saregama Records’ unique platform to explore various genres – producing memorable performances such as “Piya Tu Ab To Aaja” from Caravan and “Dum Maro Dum” from Hare Rama Hare Krishna”.
Mohammed Rafi, Kishore Kumar and Mukesh became beloved playback singers for some of Bollywood’s biggest stars during this era. Saregama collaborated with these exceptional playback singers, which resulted in multiple chart-topping songs that remain timeless to fans of music today.
Saregama led Indian music’s Golden Era, which witnessed an harmonious blend of melody, lyrics, and emotion. Their commitment to quality and talent development propelled an era that has left an indelible imprint on Indian music history; their melodies continue to evoke nostalgia among music enthusiasts of all generations today.
3. Saregama’s Foray into Film Music and Digital Transition
Saregama quickly expanded its influence in music as they ventured into film music, furthering their presence as an influential force within Indian music industry. Drawing upon their extensive catalog of classical and non-film music, they collaborated with filmmakers, music directors and lyricists to produce soundtracks which enhanced cinematic experience.
Saregama collaborated with notable music directors during the 1970s and ’80s such as R.D. Burman, Kalyanji-Anandji, Laxmikant-Pyarelal, and Bappi Lahiri who revolutionized film music through their innovative compositions – leading to chart-topping hits that became part of Indian popular culture and iconic film albums that remain iconic today.
R.D. Burman was at the vanguard of this creative movement, often being called the “Pancham Da” of Indian music. His groundbreaking compositions combining Western influences and experimental sounds with Indian traditions found their audiences’ hearts singing along. Saregama and R.D. Burman’s collaboration led to unforgettable film albums such as
Amar Prem, Yaadon Ki Baaraat and Sholay with timeless songs like “Chura Liya Hai Tumne Jo Dil Ko” and “Yeh Dosti”.
Kalyanji-Anandji, Laxmikant-Pyarelal and Bappi Lahiri each brought their unique style and contributions to Saregama’s film music repertoire. Kalyanji-Anandji became legendary through films such as Don, Muqaddar Ka Sikandar and Qurbani; Laxmikant-Pyarelal’s melodic rhythmic sensibilities resonated with masses; creating hit soundtracks for films like Karz, Hum Aapke Hain Koun and Bobby; Bappi Lahiri made history with films like Disco Dancer (Disco Dancer), Namak Halaal (Namak Halaal), and Sharabi
Saregama remains unwavering in its commitment to promoting Indian classical music even as it delved into film music. They continue to release albums featuring master composers like Ustad Bismillah Khan, Pandit Ravi Shankar, and Ustad Zakir Hussain; making the rich heritage of Indian classical music accessible and enjoyable by audiences worldwide.
Saregama responded quickly to the changing music industry landscape by accepting new formats in order to reach more listeners. They ventured into CDs and audio cassettes as easy access mediums for enjoying their favorite songs; making available Saregama’s vast catalog from all genres and eras for enjoyment by their fans.
With the rise of internet streaming platforms and digital audio players, Saregama once again reinvented itself to meet modern audiences’ demands. They developed Saregama Carvaan – their own streaming service which combined nostalgia and convenience. Carvaan, a portable digital audio player preloaded with nostalgic songs – allowing listeners to immerse themselves into an ocean of melodies at just the touch of a button!
Saregama continued its digital expansion by making its extensive catalog available on popular streaming platforms, providing music fans with easy access to diverse forms of Indian music from across genres and generations.
Saregama has long been recognized for its dedication to maintaining and expanding India’s rich musical legacy by adapting to evolving technologies and consumer preferences, remaining at the forefront of Indian music industry for over 100 years. Their rich legacy attests to their dedication in doing just that!
4. Saregama Explores Regional Music and International Collaborations
Saregama has not only contributed to Hindi film music but has also played an invaluable role in preserving India’s rich tapestry of regional music. Recognizing India’s diverse cultural landscape and striving to showcase regional musical traditions and flavors, giving audiences access to experience its beauty and diversity through Saregama recordings.
Saregama began their exploration of regional music with the release of albums featuring traditional folk songs and classical compositions from various states. Working alongside esteemed folk artists and classical musicians to record and present these melodies ensured these regional musical traditions received due recognition. Albums featuring folk music from Rajasthan, Punjab, Bengal and Tamil Nadu quickly became favorites among music aficionados and provided local musicians an outlet to reach wider audiences.
Saregama’s dedication to regional music extended to film as well, working closely with regional filmmakers and music directors in India to release soundtracks that celebrate different film industries’ distinctive musical styles – be they soulful melodies of Bengali cinema, energetic beats from Tamil cinema or vibrant compositions from Marathi cinema – with Saregama’s regional film music releases capturing and supporting their growth and popularity.
Saregama took an international approach, understanding the power of music to cross borders and foster meaningful connections. Working closely with international artists, Saregama fostered cultural exchange and created music with both Indian and Western influences fused together into unique fusion sounds.
One notable collaboration was on the album Legacy, in which famed Indian classical vocalist Pandit Jasraj collaborated with Grammy-winning musician and producer Ricky Kej to produce an album of traditional Indian classical music combined with contemporary sounds that earned critical acclaim and introduced Indian music to a wider global audience.
Saregama’s international collaborations were not limited to film music alone. Working closely with filmmakers and music directors worldwide, Saregama integrated Indian elements into projects while also introducing Indian musicians to new audiences – thus expanding both Indian and international music’s boundaries in equal measure. This cross-cultural exchange led to soundtracks which seamlessly blended different musical traditions resulting in innovative soundtracks which transcended borders.
Saregama extended its commitment to regional music and international collaboration through digital initiatives. Their streaming platforms and releases showcased an expansive variety of regional music from India’s rich musical tradition for global audiences to experience. Furthermore, this digital presence also allowed collaborations among artists from different parts of the world creating cross-cultural musical exchanges and creating uniquely sonic experiences.
Saregama continues to develop with each passing day, emphasizing regional music and international collaboration as a core part of its identity. Celebrating India’s cultural diversity while welcoming global musical influences has allowed this label to contribute towards growing and preserving various musical traditions while building connections across borders between artists and audiences.
5. Saregama Support of Emerging Talent, Music Education, and Social Causes
Saregama has long been recognized for their dedication to nurturing and supporting emerging talent within the music industry. They play an instrumental role in discovering and promoting promising artists while providing them with a platform to display their skills and creativity.
Saregama actively sought out talented musicians, singers and composers – from young singer-songwriters to composers – giving them opportunities to record and release their music. Through this dedication to discovering new voices came several successful careers for artists like Kishore Kumar, Asha Bhosle, Sonu Nigam, Shreya Ghoshal and Arijit Singh that started their musical journeys with Saregama before going on to stardom themselves.
Saregama recognized the significance of music education for nurturing emerging talent as well as developing deeper appreciation for music in young musicians. Therefore, the label supported several initiatives and programs aimed at providing formal training and education in music – from offering scholarships through music schools or academies, sponsoring workshops or organizing competitions to motivate aspiring musicians in pursuing their passions.
Saregama actively engaged in social causes through music, harnessing its powerful medium to raise awareness and bring about positive change. Saregama collaborated with charitable organizations, NGOs, artists and record labels to produce albums and singles dedicated to gender equality, environmental conservation and education issues – raising funds while spreading messages of social responsibility through music.
Saregama demonstrated its dedication to social causes by organizing benefit concerts and releasing compilation albums featuring well-known musicians with proceeds going directly towards supporting communities affected by natural disasters. These initiatives showcased Saregama’s belief in music’s transformative power as a healing force in human lives.
Saregama has recently turned to digital platforms as part of its effort to support emerging talent and social causes. Through contests and platforms dedicated to new talent, aspiring artists were given an opportunity to display their skill to an international audience. Saregama’s digital presence also provided greater accessibility and outreach allowing it to engage with a broad spectrum of artists while working on projects aligned with social causes.
Saregama continues to adapt and change with the changing landscape of music industry, but remains committed to nurturing emerging talent, supporting music education initiatives and supporting social causes. Offering platforms for young artists to shine as well as music education programs fostering positive change using music as a powerful force – Saregama continues to make an indelible mark on both industry and society.
Our journey through Saregama’s history brings to light its profound impact on Indian music culture. From its modest beginnings as an international record distributor to becoming an iconic cultural institution, Saregama has played an indispensable role in maintaining and advancing Indian music worldwide. Thanks to their commitment to excellence, collaboration with legendary artists, and adaption to new technologies; Saregama melodies continue to delight music fans worldwide.
Next time you find yourself humming an unforgettable melody or becoming entranced by soul-stirring Indian music, remember Saregama as an eternal source of melodies that touch our hearts and transcend time.