The music of SANJOG, MANMAUJI and ANPADH in early 60s followed by a blockbuster year in 1964 with JAHANARA, GAZAL, HAQEEQAT, WOH KAUN THI and in 1966 with MERA SAAYA, Madanji had set high expectations for himself. At the same time, he had to adapt to the different styles of films being made in late 60s with requirement of modern and western arrangements that were being used by others, especially the younger new composers who were emerging and attaining success. And yet he retained his signature style based on the situational demands of a film.

HEER RAANJHA was the second film of Chetan Anand in which Madanji teamed with Kaifi Azmi. A film totally based on poetry, including the dialogue form... a rare feat by Kaifi Azmi Saab. Madanji had to come up with a score to match, based on Punjabi folk, yet have his own style of some emotional unforgettable songs.

The Rafi Saab song ‘Yeh Duniya Yeh Mehfil’ was Madanji’s pride… he worked carefully with arranger Sonikji, to create such varied, yet effective interludes which are remembered to this day. In the link below we hear Madanji speaking about this song.

Click here to Listen to the Audio

With the traditional HEER as the obvious base for the Doli situation, he created a much-appreciated song, with situational arrangements and antras freshly composed by him, so difficult to sing and yet so effective. At the recording of this song by Lataji, many had tears in their eyes with the impact of her rendition.

Lataji’s solo ‘Do Dil Toote’, is seeped in emotion, yet the popular ‘Milo Na Tum To’ is a catchy and enjoyable melody. ‘Meri Duniya Mein Tum Aayi’ was an experimental song in which he made Rafi Saab and Lataji sing in soft whispers... the male part romantic and husky... the female part shy and restrained. The romantic solo by Rafi Saab, ‘Tere Kooche Mein’ was deleted from the film after one week and thus a good visual clip is not available.

The score of HEER RANJHA, won Madanji much appreciation from his fraternity... in particular, S.D. Burman complimented him by saying only he could have done this!