Veteran music director Vanraj Bhatia passed away today (7th May) at his residence in South Bombay due to age-related problems. He was 93 and had not been keeping good health since some time.
Vanraj Bhatia had scored music for such films as Ankur, Manthan, Bhumika, Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro, Mohan Joshi Haazir Ho!, 36 Chowringhee Lane, Surkhiyaan, Khamosh, Pestonjee, Hip Hip Hurray and Droh Kaal. He also composed the background music for such mainstream films as Ajooba, Damini and Pardes. He composed the music for around 7,000 commercials. He scored music for TV shows such as Wagle Ki Duniya, Bharat Ek Khoj, Banegi Apni Baat and The Discovery Of India. Although he was trained in Hindustani classical music, he soon became interested in Western classical music and learnt the piano under Dr. Manek Bhagat for four years. He also studied music at the Royal Academy of Music, London.
He had won the National Film Award for the best music for television film Tamas. He was also decorated with the Padma Shri in 2012. In the last few years of his life, Bhatia had hit bad times and was surviving on pittance as he had no savings.