Raamlaxman, the Indian music composer who lent his tunes to popular Salman Khan-starrer films like Maine Pyaar Kiya (1989), Hum Aapke Hain Koun…! (1994) and Hum Saath Saath Hain (1999), died of a cardiac arrest at his residence in Nagpur on Saturday, reported PTI.
He was 78.
He was closely associated with Sooraj Barjatya’s Rajshri Productions and had recently received both doses of vaccination. His son, Amar Patil, told PTI, “He had taken second dose of Covid-19 vaccine, Covishield, six days ago. There was no problem at that time… But when he came home he developed weakness. His parameters were dropping. Doctors were attending at home. He passed away at around 2 am on Saturday. He had a cardiac arrest.”
Born as Vijay Patil, he started out with his orchestra, Amar, and went on to work in the Hindi and Marathi film industries. He got his big break with the 1977 film Agent Vinod.
He was part of the composer duo Raamlaxman until his partner ‘Raam’ aka Surinder died in 1976. He went on to retain the entire name.
His first film was the 1975 Marathi film Pandu Hawaldar and worked in 75 films, including Khan’s Patthar Ke Phool (1991), Humse Hai Zamana (1983), Deepak Bahry’s Humse Badhkar Kaun (1981) and Mahesh Bhatt’s Saatwan Aasmaan (1992).
Barjatya’s Maine Pyaar Kiya earned him the Filmfare Award for the Best Music Director. Songs from the film, including Dil Deewana, Kabootar Ja Ja Ja, and Aaja Shaam Hone Aayi are some of the classic hits.
Several personalities from the Hindi film industry took to social media to pay tribute to the composer.
Ram Laxman, music director of my successful films like maine pyaar kiya, patthar ke phool, hum saath saath hain, hum apke hain kaun has sadly passed away. May his soul rest in peace. Condolences to the bereaved family.
— Salman Khan (@BeingSalmanKhan) May 22, 2021
Lata Mangeshkar, with whom Patil frequently collaborated with apart from SP Balasubrahmanyam, wrote:
Mujhe abhi pata chala ki bahut guni aur lokpriya sangeetkar Ram Laxman ji (Vijay Patil) ji ka swargwas hua. Ye sunke mujhe bahut dukh hua. Wo bahut acche insaan the.Maine unke kai gaane gaaye jo bahut lokpriya hue. Main unko vinamra shraddhanjali arpan karti hun. pic.twitter.com/CAqcVTZ8jT
— Lata Mangeshkar (@mangeshkarlata) May 22, 2021
Actor Madhuri Dixit wrote, “My heartfelt condolences to the family of #RamLaxman ji Thank you for your timeless music including some of my most popular songs from HAHK. ईश्वर आप की आत्मा को शांति दे |” #RIP
The man who ruled over our airwaves in the 90's with his melodious compositions, Shri Vijay Patil, a big loss for Indian Music, My sincere condolences, Om Shanti 🙏#RamLaxman https://t.co/2iTmQWAqF6
— Nila Madhab PANDA ନୀଳମାଧବ ପଣ୍ଡା (@nilamadhabpanda) May 23, 2021
