Shanti Kumar Desai


Shanti Kumar Desai also credited as Shanti Kumar, was an Indian music director who gave music to Hindi films between 1934 -1964.

Personal life

He was born to a Gujarati family in Amreli in Saurashtra, Gujarat, India. His mother is Kunwarben and father is Shri Pritamlal Desai. He married Shantagauri Kanakiya. He died on 6 January 1986, survived by five children, 2 sons and 3 daughters and grandchildren.

Career

He learned music early and gave concerts to the royal families of that time. During the 3rd decade of the 20th century, he came to Mumbai and took a job of a broadcaster in HMV. He was exposed to composition and music arrangement for Indian Cinema. He became a disciple of Shri Aman Ali Khan.
Initially he gave music to a theater group in Bhangwadi area of Mumbai. He got his first break in the movie Navbharat from Victory Pictures in 1934. He worked with veteran singers of that time including Johrabai Ambawali, Rajkumari, Ameerbai Karnataki, Sardar Akhtar and Pinakin Shah. He composed for around 40 movies.
He was also known as a harmonium player. In that era, music used harmonium and tabla only.

Filmography

FilmYear
Nav Bharat1934
Taqdeer1935
Qatil Katar1935
Magic Horse1935
Zan Mureed1936
Jawahar - e - hind1937
Punarjanam1938
Sharif Daku1938
Ghunghatwali1938
Devbala1938
Chhote Sarkar1938
Imandar1939
Fikdu Fituri 1939
Suhagan1940
Pyaar1940
Anjam1940
Jadu Nagri1940
Prabhat1941
Torpedo1941
Meri Khwahish1941
Desire1941
Meri Duniya1942
Swapna1942
Naukar1943
Fashion1943
Duhai1943
Collegian1944
Kismatwala1944
Dhanwan1946
Shah - E - Misar1946
Ek Din Ka Sultan1945
Gaurav1947
Ghar Ki Bahu1947
Amar Asha1947
Sati Vijaya1948
Ek Din Ka Sultan1949
Lav Kush1951
Tere Dwar Khade Bhagwan1964