Shantanu Moitra
| Shantanu Moitra | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born |
22 January 1968[1] Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India |
| Occupation | composer, film score composer |
| Years active | 1995–present |
| Website | Official website |
Shantanu Moitra (born 22 January 1968) is an Indian music director who has composed music for the Hindi film industry, and is most known for his score in films Parineeta (2005), Hazaaron Khwaishein Aisi (2005), Lage Raho Munnabhai (2006) and 3 Idiots (2009), and private albums, Mann ke Manjeere and Ab ke Saawan sung by Shubha Mudgal. In 2014, he received the National Film Award for Best Music Direction (Background Score) for Na Bangaaru Talli.[2]
Early life and education
He was born in Lucknow, where his father came from a Bengali musical family. He was very young when he moved to Delhi with his family, where initially he lived in Patel Nagar in West Delhi, and studied at Springdales School, Pusa Road, where he was the leader and singer of the band, and in 1982, the band created history of sorts by hosting the school's first rock show. "What was even better was receiving an award in school for my contribution to music at a time when my school, Springdales in Delhi, didn't usually give awards for music. When I look back now, I think the award instilled huge confidence in me," he said.[3]
Meanwhile, they also received musical training, from urban-folk singer, Sushmit Bose, a Springdales alumnus, who would occasionally drop in and teach them. Later he moved to Chittaranjan Park in South Delhi.[4][5]
He studied at Deshbandhu College, Kalkaji, Delhi University and has a degree in Economics.[1][6]
Career
Moitra started his career as a client servicing executive at an ad agency, while music remained a hobby. He started composing music for advertising jingles accidentally, when he was asked to compose a jingle at the last minute by Pradeep Sarkar, then the Creative Head of the agency, the jingle was "Bole mere lips. I love Uncle Chipps" for the chips brand named Uncle Chipps, which became an instant hit, and he later composed several jingles for Pradeep Sarkar, and several advertising brands.[6][7]
This led to composing music for Indipop albums that were hits including Ab ke Saawan, Mann ke Manjeere: an album of women's dreams for Breakthrough, and Sapna Dekha Hai Maine (2003) for Shubha Mudgal.
Moitra shifted to Mumbai in 2002, when he started working for Sudhir Mishra's Hazaaron Khwaishein Aisi, his first signed film,[8] and soon formed team with lyricist Swanand Kirkire, starting with the song, "Bawara Mann..". Even before Parineeta was made, he had created a song called Raath Hamari To, sung by Chitra, which Vidhu Vinod Chopra the producer of Parineeta heard, and subsequently on his recommendation, he received Parineeta (2005) directed by Pradeep Sarkar and later Eklavya: The Royal Guard directed by Chopra himself.[9][10][11]
Moitra composed music in a few films, but gained recognition with his music in Parineeta (2005). His music was critically acclaimed and he received a nomination for the Filmfare Best Music Director Award. That same year he won the Filmfare RD Burman Award for New Music Talent. In 2009, he composed score for his first Bengali film, Antaheen.[12]
He continues to compose ad jingles, and recently won a Bronze Lion in Cannes in the category of best music for a Happydent advertisement.
In Coochbehar, a city of West Bengal there is the first "Shantanu Moitra – Our Inspiration" club/society. This club/society is maintained by some college students.
Awards
- National Film Award for Best Music Direction (Background Score) -Na Bangaaru Talli (2013)[13][14]
Personal life
He is married to Sarada Moitra and the couple have a son named Shubham.[9]
Filmography
As a music director
| Year | Film | Other Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 2002 | Pyaar Ki Dhun | |
| Leela | ||
| 2005 | Hazaaron Khwaishein Aisi | |
| Parineeta | Filmfare RD Burman Award for New Music Talent | |
| Yahaan | ||
| 7½ Phere | ||
| Kal: Yesterday and Tomorrow | ||
| 2006 | Lage Raho Munna Bhai | |
| 2007 | Khoya Khoya Chand | |
| Eklavya: The Royal Guard | ||
| Laaga Chunari Mein Daag | ||
| 2008 | Welcome to Sajjanpur | |
| 2009 | Antaheen | Bengali film |
| Phir Kabhi | ||
| 3 Idiots | ||
| 2010 | Well Done Abba | |
| Raajneeti | One song, "Ishq Barse" | |
| 2012 | Coke Studio 2 | Season 2 Episodes 7 |
| Chakravyuh | ||
| Krishna Aur Kans | ||
| Shoebite | ||
| Paanch Adhyay | Bengali Film | |
| Aparajita Tumi | Bengali Film | |
| 2013 | Inkaar | |
| Madras Cafe | ||
| A Little Lost | ||
| Afterglow | ||
| Ente | Malayalam Film | |
| Naa Bangaaru Talli | Telugu Film | |
| 2014 | Buno Haansh | Bengali Film |
| Bobby Jasoos | Hindi film | |
| Mardaani | Hindi film | |
| PK | Hindi film | |
| 2016 | Wazir | Hindi film |
| Pink | Hindi film | |
| Gulzar in conversation with Tagore | Hindi music album | |
As a playback singer
| Year | Film | Song Name | Composer | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | 3 Idiots | Behti Hawa Sa Tha Woh | Shantanu Moitra | |
| 2013 | Inkaar | Maula Tu Malik Hai | Shantanu Moitra | |
As a background score composer
| Year | Film | Other Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 2009 | 3 Idiots | With Sanjay Wanderkar & Atul Raninga Won IIFA Award for Best Background Score |
| 2013 | Ente | Malayalam Film |
| Na Bangaaru Talli | Won National Film Award for Best Music Direction (Best Background Score) | |
References
- 1 2 Hindustan Times, Brunch,5 August 2012, p. 22.
- ↑ "Naa Bangaru Talli" wins three national awards – Telugu Movie News
- ↑ http://www.telegraphindia.com/1111225/jsp/graphiti/story_14923722.jsp#.UPfV2x2PEfQ
- ↑ Sharing Notes: Musician Shantanu Moitra can claim credit for having popularised rock in his school Indian Express, 10 July 2004.
- ↑ Shantanu Moitra, before Parineeta Rediff.com, 3 September 2007.
- 1 2 Thank an ad crisis for Parineeta's music Rediff.com, 9 June 2005.
- ↑ Shantanu Moitra on remixes IndiaFM, 10 August 2006.
- ↑ Melody: Tracing the history of Hindi film music from 1931 Screen, 2005.
- 1 2 Bohemian Rhapsody: Parineeta’s success hasn’t changed music composer Shantanu Moitra’s pace or lifestyle Indian Express, 7 August 2005.
- ↑ The man and his music: Shantanu Moitra talks about composing music for the upcoming film, “Laga Chunari Mein Daag” The Hindu, 5 October 2007.
- ↑ ...But for everything I had to impress Vidhu Vinod Chopra first... musicindiaonline.com.
- ↑ It's a dream debut: Shantanu Moitra: The Parineeta composer talks about his first Bengali film Buzz18, 12 January 2009.
- ↑ "61st National Film Awards" (PDF). Directorate of Film Festivals. 16 April 2014. Retrieved 16 April 2014.
- ↑ "Naa Bangaru Talli" wins three national awards – Telugu Movie News
National Film Award Winner Shantanu Moitra Travels down Memory Lanes of CR Park
External links
- Shantanu Moitra, Official website
- Shantanu Moitra at the Internet Movie Database
- Shantanu Moitra News Article