Shiv Dayal Batish

Shiv Dayal Batish (also known as S.D. Batish, Master Ramesh, Nirmal Kumar, Pandit Shiv Dayal Batish; 14 December 1914 – 29 July 2006) was an Indian musician born in Patiala, India^[1] to a Brahmin family. He died in Santa Cruz, California, USA where he had lived since 1970.

Career

Shiv Dayal Batish was a composer, playback singer and music director for Hindi and Punjabi Film music. S. D. broadcast his first radio program in 1936, from the studios of All India Radio, Delhi.^[2] Even today, his songs are broadcast from All India Radio and TV. A simple search for Batish on YouTube will result in numerous videos of his old songs. Pandit Batish showed mastery and deep understanding over the various vocal and instrumental styles of North Indian music. He not only sang these genres but also composed profusely within them creating memorable works that have been sung by such luminaries as Lata Mangeshkar, Asha Bhonsle, Geeta Dutt, Mohammad Rafi, Talat Mahmood and Manna Dey. He has scored music for a number of early Bollywood movies such as Betab, Bahu Beti, Toofan, Harjeet, Tipu Sultan, Ham Bhi Kuch Kam Nahin, Amar Keertan, and Zalim Tera Jawab Naheen. Some of his hit songs are, Pagadi Sambhal Jatta, Khamosh Nigahen, and Aakhen Kehe Gayi Dil Ki Baat.^[3]

Shiv Dayal Batish moved to the United Kingdom in 1964. While playing at a festival in Wales, Cardiff, he impressed Lord Fenner Brockway, who then helped him immigrate to U.K.^[4]

He recorded a number of songs for the BBC where he became a regular radio and television artist. He wrote the words, composed the music, and sang the theme song "Nai Zindagi Naya Jivan"^[5] ("New Birth, New Life") to the BBC television show Apna Hi Ghar Samajhiye ("Make Yourself at Home"), a cornerstone of early South Asian programming.^[1] He had the honor of being the first musician featured when the Asian programs in Britain started back in 1965!

Movie Credit as Playback Singer

Bhai Jaan (1945)"Aa hosh mein aa" Barsaat Ki Raat (1960) "Na To Karvaan Ki Talash Hai" S. D. Batish, Mohammad Rafi, Sudha Malhotra, Asha Bhosle, Manna Dey, Chorus "Yeh Hai Ishq Ishq" S. D. Batish, Mohammad Rafi, Sudha Malhotra, Asha Bhosle, Manna Dey, Chorus Also an un-credited Assistant MD. as the MD Roshan was in hospital due to heart and he handed the job to S.D. Batish who rehearsed all the singers and taught them their parts.

Private Works

Books

• Ragopedia, V. 1 - Exotic Scales of North India (Book)^[6]
• Ragopedia Cassette - Accompaniment tape to Ragopedia V. 1 (Book)^[6]
• Ragopedia V. 2, Exotic Scales of South India (Book)^[6]
• First 10 Thaat Raga Chalans - (Text and Cassettes package)
• Raga Chalans V. 1 (A-C) - Expansions for all the ragas from A to C as given in the Ragopedia V. 1 (Book)
• Raga Chalans V. 2 (D-I) - Expansions for all the ragas from D to I as given in the Ragopedia V. 1 (Book)
• Raga Chalans V. 3 (J-K) - Expansions for all the ragas from J to K as given in the Ragopedia V. 1 (Book)
• Raga Chalans V. 4 (L-M) - Expansions for all the ragas from L to M as given in the Ragopedia V. 1 (Book)
• Raga Chalans V. 5 (N-R) - Expansions for all the ragas from N to R as given in the Ragopedia V. 1 (Book)
• Raga Chalans V. 6 (S) - Expansions for all the ragas under S as given in the Ragopedia V. 1 (Book)
• Raga Chalans V. 7 (T-Y plus some rare ragas) - Expansions for all the ragas from T to Y plus a collection of rare ragas not previously listed in the Ragopedia V. 1 (Book)
• Rasik Raga Lakshan Manjari V. 1 - History and Theory of North Indian Music with Lakshan Geets (introductory songs written in English) for the First Ten Thaats of the North Indian classical music system written in staff and sargam notations. (Book)
• First Ten Thaat Raga Lakshan Geet - Written, composed and sung by S. D. Batish (Cassette / CD)
• Rasik Raga Lakshan Manjari V. 2 - 100 further Lakshan Geet, 10 per Thaat written in staff and sargam notations. (Book)

Audio CDs

• Om Shanti Meditation - Dilruba (Cassette/CD)
• Ram Bhajans - Hindu Devotional Songs (Cassette/CD)
• 72 Carnatic Melakarta of South India - volume 1 (Cassette/CD)
• Raga Todi - Alaap and Bhajan "Jai Jia Mahadeva" (Cassette/CD)
• Asavari Thaat Ragas Lakshan Geet (Cassette/CD)
• Bhairava Thaat Raga Lakshan Geet (Cassette/CD)
• Bhairavi Thaat Raga Lakshan Geet (Cassette/CD)
• Bilaval Thaat Raga Lakshan Geet (Cassette/CD)
• Kafi Thaat Raga Lakshan Geet (Cassette/CD)
• Kalyan Thaat Raga Lakshan Geet (Cassette/CD)
• Khammaj Thaat Raga Lakshan Geet(Cassette/CD)
• Marava Thaat Raga Lakshan Geet (Cassette/CD)
• Pooravi Thaat Raga Lakshan Geet(Cassette/CD)
• Todi Thaat Raga Lakshan Geet (Cassette/CD)

Notes

External links

• S D Batish - Personal Website Link
• S D Batish on India's SaReGaMa Label of HMV