Ashok Krishnarao Jagtap
Ashok Krishnarao Jagtap is an Indian musician, violinist and film musician associated with the golden era of Indian film music. Born on 29 July 1941 in Baroda, now known as Vadodara, Gujarat, he moved to Mumbai in 1965 to pursue a professional career in the film industry.
Over a career spanning several decades, Ashok Krishnarao Jagtap played violin on more than 10,000 songs and worked with numerous prominent music directors and playback singers. He is described as a Violinist in Extra Special Grade in the film industry.
He also founded Opera Music Centre, worked as a music arranger and documented his experiences of the golden era of Indian film music in his book Golden Era of Indian Music.
Early Life
Ashok Krishnarao Jagtap was born on 29 July 1941 in Baroda (Vadodara), Gujarat, India.
He developed an interest in music during his early years and received musical training that helped him develop skills in both Indian musical traditions and Western musical notation.
Education and Musical Training
Ashok Krishnarao Jagtap completed a degree course at Music College, now known as the Faculty of Performing Arts, with a specialization in violin performance.
He also learned Western staff notation from Edward Daniel Francis, described as a clarinet player and bandmaster associated with the State Reserve Police band.
His combination of violin training and knowledge of Western notation enabled him to perform in orchestral sections as well as individual song-violin roles.
Opera Music Centre
In 1963, Ashok Krishnarao Jagtap founded Opera Music Centre, a local orchestra in Gujarat.
The orchestra became associated with Western music performances and training. Through Opera Music Centre, Jagtap trained students in Western music, with some subsequently pursuing careers in the Indian film and music industry.
His work with the orchestra reflected his interest in musical education, orchestral performance and the development of young musicians.
Move to Mumbai
In 1965, Ashok Krishnarao Jagtap moved to Mumbai to pursue a professional career in the Indian film industry.
His entry into the Mumbai film-music industry was facilitated through his connection with musician Sumantraj, a flutist and founder of the Cine Musicians Association.
Following an audition on violin, Jagtap was encouraged to pursue opportunities in Mumbai. He was subsequently introduced to Kalyanji of Kalyanji–Anandji, which led to his early professional film-music recording work.
Film Music Career
Ashok Krishnarao Jagtap worked primarily as a Violinist in Extra Special Grade in the Indian film industry.
His professional work included performing in:
- Group violin sections
- Song violin sections
- Solo violin passages
- Orchestral recordings
- Film music recordings
- Musical arrangements
According to the submitted profile, he played violin on more than 10,000 songs during his professional career.
He worked with numerous prominent music directors associated with the golden era and later periods of Indian film music, including:
- Kalyanji–Anandji
- Naushad
- O. P. Nayyar
- Salil Chowdhury
- Shankar–Jaikishan
- Laxmikant–Pyarelal
- Madan Mohan
- S. D. Burman
- R. D. Burman
- Ravindra Jain
- Anu Malik
- Bappi Lahiri
- A. R. Rahman
- Himesh Reshammiya
His professional work also included playing behind prominent playback singers such as Lata Mangeshkar, Asha Bhosle, Mukesh and Mohammed Rafi.
Work with Ravindra Jain
Ashok Krishnarao Jagtap also worked with music director Ravindra Jain.
In addition to performing as a violinist, he arranged songs for Ravindra Jain, contributing to the musical arrangement and recording process.
Professional Grade
Ashok Krishnarao Jagtap is described as a Violinist in Extra Special Grade working in the Indian film industry.
The designation reflects his professional standing as a violinist involved in film music recordings and orchestral performances.
His work as a session violinist involved collaboration with music directors, playback singers, arrangers and other instrumentalists during film-song recordings.
Cine Musicians Association
Ashok Krishnarao Jagtap has been associated with professional organizations representing musicians working in the Indian film industry.
The Cine Musicians Association was founded by his mentor Sumantraj, a flutist associated with the Mumbai film-music community.
Jagtap participated in professional activities concerning musicians, including auditions and membership-related responsibilities.
He was also associated with the Western India Cine Employees Union and committees connected with the film-industry workforce.
Dadasaheb Phalke Award Association
During his professional involvement with cine musicians, Ashok Krishnarao Jagtap supported recommendations concerning recognition of veteran musicians.
He recommended rhythm player and music director Dattaram Wadkar for recognition in the musician category of the Dadasaheb Phalke Award.
When Dattaram Wadkar was unable to attend the awards function on 30 April 2006 due to illness, Jagtap accepted the award on his behalf.
He also supported the association's recommendation of arranger Manohari Singh for recognition in the music category.
Awards and Recognition
Ashok Krishnarao Jagtap has received recognition for his contribution to Indian film music.
According to the submitted information, he was honoured by music director Pyarelal for his professional contributions.
His long career as a violinist, arranger, mentor and professional musician represents a significant part of his contribution to Indian film music.
Published Work
Ashok Krishnarao Jagtap is the author of the book Golden Era of Indian Music.
The book was written independently by Jagtap and is a separate literary work documenting his personal experiences, memories and observations from the golden era of Indian film music. The book is not presented as a publication of the Cine Musicians Association.
The book contains accounts and anecdotes from his professional journey and discusses his experiences with prominent personalities from Indian music and cinema, including:
- Shankar–Jaikishan
- Khayyam
- Manohari Singh
- Mukesh
- Mohammed Rafi
- Kishore Kumar
- O. P. Nayyar
- Kalyanji–Anandji
- Madan Mohan
The book contains 48 chapters and also includes a photo gallery and personal recollections from his career.
A Gujarati edition is available, and a Marathi translation has also been completed according to the submitted information.
Musical Contributions
Ashok Krishnarao Jagtap's professional contributions include:
- Violin performance
- Film music recording
- Group violin performance
- Song violin performance
- Solo violin passages
- Western music
- Musical arrangement
- Orchestra performance
- Training students in Western music
- Mentoring musicians
- Professional activities within the film-music industry
His career illustrates the contribution of professional session musicians and instrumentalists to Indian film music recordings.
Professional Journey
| Year / Period | Professional Milestone |
|---|---|
| 1941 | Born in Baroda, Gujarat |
| 1963 | Founded Opera Music Centre in Gujarat |
| 1963 onwards | Trained students in Western music and performed with the orchestra |
| 1965 | Moved to Mumbai to pursue a professional career in film music |
| 1965 onwards | Began professional recording work and subsequently worked with prominent music directors |
| Career | Worked as a Violinist in Extra Special Grade in the film industry |
| Career | Played violin on more than 10,000 songs |
| Career | Worked as a violinist and music arranger |
| Career | Participated in professional activities concerning cine musicians |
| Later years | Authored the book Golden Era of Indian Music |
Legacy
Ashok Krishnarao Jagtap's career spans several decades of Indian film music, beginning with his professional journey in the 1960s.
His contributions as a Violinist in Extra Special Grade, session musician, arranger, orchestra founder, music trainer and mentor form an important part of his musical journey.
His book Golden Era of Indian Music provides a personal account of musicians, music directors, playback singers and recording practices associated with the golden era of Indian film music.
Retirement
After several decades of professional involvement in Indian film music, Ashok Krishnarao Jagtap is enjoying retired life.
His professional journey includes extensive experience as a violinist, film musician, orchestra performer, arranger and mentor.
Personal Details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Ashok Krishnarao Jagtap |
| Date of Birth | 29 July 1941 |
| Birthplace | Baroda (now Vadodara), Gujarat, India |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Profession | Musician, Violinist and Film Musician |
| Professional Grade | Violinist in Extra Special Grade |
| Education | Degree course at Music College, now Faculty of Performing Arts |
| Musical Training | Western musical notation |
| Teacher | Edward Daniel Francis |
| Orchestra | Opera Music Centre |
| Mumbai Career | Began in 1965 |
| Songs Played | More than 10,000 |
| Book | Golden Era of Indian Music |
| Residence | Mulund East, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India |
Contact Information
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Name | Ashok Krishnarao Jagtap |
| Address | A/803 Sheth Residency Park, Near Tarun Utkarsh School, Gavanpada, Mulund East, Mumbai – 400081, Maharashtra, India |
| Mobile | 9820548475 |
| Alternate Mobile | 8828516690 |
| ashok.k.jagtap@gmail.com |
Interview and Media Links
The profile may include links to interviews featuring Ashok Krishnarao Jagtap so that readers can directly access and listen to his conversations and recollections about his musical career.
Gallery
External Links