Role of music directors in Indian cinema is indispensable and one cannot image an Indian film without music and songs. Music forms an integral part of a film, hence role of music directors become extremely important. "Music expresses that which cannot be put into words and cannot remain silent"- this is how Indian cinema, too, feels about its music. The most popular aspects of Indian films are that they contain music. Ever since 1930s the trend of including song and dance has been predominant in the films. Whether a film is made in the devotional genre, romantic genre, comic genre, social dramas or others music is a highpoint of all the films. Music in Indian films is used to support the storyline. In a way it helps to spin and narrate the story more fascinatingly. As a result the role of the musicians becomes vital in the film industry.
In the initial years of the talkie era songs were recorded with synchronous sound. But with technical modifications the scenario changed. Today the musicians use a lot of musical instruments for superb effect. One of the earliest musicians in the film industry has been KL Saigal. His songs would barely be accompanied by a sarangi or tabla. But his songs are remembered for soul stirring music and commendable lyrics. the later music directors in Indian film industry include O.P. Nayyar, S.D. Burman, R.D. Burman, Illayaraja, Shanker Jaikishan, M.S.Viswanathan-Ramamurthy, Laxmikant Pyarelal, Naushad, Johnson, Anu Malik, Jatin-Lalit, A.R. Rahman, Shankar Ehsan Loy, Karthik Raja, Pritam, Vidyasagar, Vijaya Anand, Vishal-Shekhar and others.
One man amongst them who had experimented with his work and changed the way of Indian film music was RD Burman. His music set a cult and proved to be an inspiration for the later generation of musicians. Some of the films to which he provided his music are Teesri Manzil, Yaadon Ki Baraat, Hare Rama Hare Krishna, Ghar, Parichay, Masoom, Sholay, Shakti, Abhimaan, Sanam Teri Kasam, 1942: A Love Story and others.
As far as today`s composers are concerned it is AR Rahman who brought a new leash of life in Indian films. Roja, Thiruda Thiruda, Bombay, Taal, Iruvar, Dil Se, Zubeida, Lagaan, Saathiya, Swadesh, Rang de Basanti, Provoked, Guru, Anbe Aruyire, Jodha Akbar and others are some of his successful compositions.
