Ashok Krishnarao Jagtap
Ashok Krishnarao Jagtap is an Indian musician, violinist and film musician associated with the golden era of Indian film music. He was born and brought up in Baroda, now Vadodara, Gujarat, on 29 July 1941.
He completed a degree course at Music College, now known as the Faculty of Performing Arts, and learned Western musical notation from Edward Daniel Francis, a well-known clarinet player and bandmaster of a police band.
With a strong interest in film music, Jagtap started his own local orchestra, Opera Music Centre, in 1963. The orchestra became well known across Gujarat, and he trained many students in Western music. Some of his students later joined the film industry and established careers in music.
In 1965, he moved to Mumbai to pursue a career as a film musician. He began his professional career with music directors Kalyanji–Anandji and subsequently worked with many prominent music directors of the golden era of Indian film music as an Extra Special Grade violinist.
According to the information provided, Jagtap has played violin on more than 10,000 songs. He has primarily performed in group violin sections and has also worked as a song violinist. He also arranged several songs of the late music director Ravindra Jain.
Jagtap served as President of the Cine Musicians Association for several years and worked on committees of the Western India Film Federation. He was also honoured by music director Pyarelal on behalf of the Cine Musicians Association.
He later authored a book based on his experience of approximately 50 years in the golden era of film music. The book is also available in Gujarati, and a Marathi translation is in progress according to the information provided.
Jagtap is now enjoying retired life.
Early Life
Ashok Krishnarao Jagtap was born and brought up in Baroda, now Vadodara, Gujarat, India.
His date of birth is 29 July 1941.
From an early stage of his life, he developed a strong interest in music, particularly film music. His musical education and training in Western notation later supported his professional work as a violinist and film musician.
Education and Musical Training
Ashok Krishnarao Jagtap completed a degree course at Music College, which is now known as the Faculty of Performing Arts.
He learned Western musical notation from Edward Daniel Francis, described as a well-known clarinet player and bandmaster of a police band.
His formal musical education and training in Western notation provided a foundation for his later work in orchestral performances and film-music recordings.
Opera Music Centre
Because of his strong interest in film music and musical performance, Ashok Krishnarao Jagtap started his own local orchestra named Opera Music Centre in 1963.
The orchestra became well known across Gujarat.
Jagtap also used Opera Music Centre as a platform for teaching and training students in Western music. Many students received musical training through the organization, and some later joined the film industry and established names for themselves.
The establishment of Opera Music Centre was an important early milestone in Jagtap's musical journey before he moved to Mumbai.
Move to Mumbai
In 1965, Ashok Krishnarao Jagtap left Gujarat and moved to Mumbai to pursue professional opportunities in the Mumbai film industry as a musician.
His move marked the beginning of his long association with professional film-music recording.
He started his professional career with music directors Kalyanji–Anandji.
Following his initial work, he gradually established professional associations with several other leading music directors of the golden era of Indian film music.
Film Music Career
Ashok Krishnarao Jagtap worked as an Extra Special Grade violinist in the Indian film industry.
His professional work primarily involved violin performances for film-music recordings. He worked mostly in group violin sections and also frequently performed as a song violinist.
Throughout his career, he worked with numerous prominent music directors, including:
- Kalyanji–Anandji
- Naushad
- O. P. Nayyar
- Salil Chowdhury
- Shankar–Jaikishan
- Laxmikant–Pyarelal
- Madan Mohan
- Ravindra Jain
- Anu Malik
- Bappi Lahiri
- And many other prominent music directors
According to the information provided, he has played violin on more than 10,000 songs during his professional career.
His work forms part of the extensive contribution made by session musicians and instrumentalists to Indian film music.
Extra Special Grade Violinist
Ashok Krishnarao Jagtap is specifically described as an Extra Special Grade Violinist in the film industry.
His work included performing in group violin sections, individual song violin parts and other instrumental assignments required for film-music recordings.
The Extra Special Grade designation forms an important part of his professional identity and reflects the level at which he worked as a violinist in the film industry.
Work with Prominent Music Directors
During his long career, Jagtap worked with several generations of prominent Indian music directors.
His professional associations included music directors from the golden era as well as later periods of Hindi film music.
Among the prominent names associated with his career are:
- Kalyanji–Anandji
- Naushad
- O. P. Nayyar
- Salil Chowdhury
- Shankar–Jaikishan
- Laxmikant–Pyarelal
- Madan Mohan
- Ravindra Jain
- Anu Malik
- Bappi Lahiri
He also worked with many other musicians and music directors throughout his career.
Work with Ravindra Jain
Ashok Krishnarao Jagtap worked with the late music director Ravindra Jain.
In addition to his work as a violinist, Jagtap also arranged several songs associated with Ravindra Jain.
His work therefore included both instrumental performance and musical arrangement.
Cine Musicians Association
Ashok Krishnarao Jagtap served as President of the Cine Musicians Association for several years.
During his tenure, he participated in professional activities connected with musicians working in the Indian film industry.
His role as President formed part of his wider contribution to the professional community of cine musicians.
Western India Film Federation
Ashok Krishnarao Jagtap also worked on several committees of the Western India Film Federation.
His committee involvement represented another aspect of his professional participation in the Indian film-industry community.
Honour by Pyarelal
Ashok Krishnarao Jagtap was honoured by music director Pyarelal on behalf of the Cine Musicians Association.
The honour recognized his contribution and long-standing professional work as a film musician and violinist.
Published Work
Ashok Krishnarao Jagtap authored a book based on his experience of approximately 50 years in the golden era of film music.
The book carries the same name as the subject of his experiences and documents his memories, observations and experiences from his long career in the Indian film-music industry.
The book was written by Jagtap as an independent work and represents his personal account of his professional journey.
A Gujarati edition of the book is available. According to the information provided, a Marathi translation is currently in progress.
Musical Contributions
Throughout his career, Ashok Krishnarao Jagtap contributed to Indian film music through:
- Extra Special Grade violin performance
- Group violin performance
- Song violin performance
- Film music recording
- Musical arrangement
- Orchestra performance
- Western music
- Training students in Western music
- Mentoring musicians
His career demonstrates the role of professional violinists and session musicians in the creation and recording of Indian film music.
Professional Journey
LegacyAshok Krishnarao Jagtap's professional journey spans several decades of Indian film music. His career as an Extra Special Grade violinist brought him into association with numerous prominent music directors and film-music professionals. His contribution includes playing violin on more than 10,000 songs, performing in group violin sections and as a song violinist, arranging songs, training students in Western music and participating in professional organizations representing film musicians. His book documenting his experience of approximately 50 years in the golden era of film music provides a personal record of his professional journey. RetirementAfter several decades of professional involvement in the Indian film-music industry, Ashok Krishnarao Jagtap is now enjoying retired life. His professional career included work as an Extra Special Grade violinist, film musician, orchestra founder, music arranger, music trainer and professional association representative. Personal Details
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