Ashok Krishnarao Jagtap
Ashok Krishnarao Jagtap is an Indian 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 developed an early interest in film music and subsequently built a long professional career as a violinist in the Indian film industry. He worked as an Extra Special Grade Violinist and, according to the submitted information, played violin on more than 10,000 songs during his career.
Jagtap also founded the Opera Music Centre in Gujarat, trained students in Western music, worked as a music arranger and served as President of the Cine Musicians Association for several years.
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, he developed a strong interest in film music. His interest eventually led him towards professional orchestral and film-music performance.
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 also learned Western musical notation from Edward Daniel Francis, described as a well-known clarinet player and bandmaster of a police band.
His training in Western notation contributed to his ability to work in orchestral settings and professional film-music recording sessions.
Opera Music Centre
In 1963, Ashok Krishnarao Jagtap started his own local orchestra named Opera Music Centre in Gujarat.
The orchestra became well known across Gujarat for its musical performances and activities.
Jagtap also used Opera Music Centre as a platform for training students in Western music. Several students trained through the orchestra later joined the film industry and established careers of their own.
His work with Opera Music Centre reflected his interest in musical education, orchestral performance and developing young musicians.
Move to Mumbai
In 1965, Ashok Krishnarao Jagtap left Gujarat for Mumbai to pursue a professional career as a musician in the Mumbai film industry.
He began his professional film-music career working with music directors Kalyanji–Anandji.
His early work in Mumbai marked the beginning of a career spanning several decades in Indian film music.
Film Music Career
Ashok Krishnarao Jagtap gradually began working with several prominent music directors and established himself as an Extra Special Grade Violinist in the film industry.
His professional occupation was specifically as a Violinist with Extra Special Grade.
His professional work primarily involved violin performance in film-song recordings, including:
- Group violin sections
- Song violin sections
- Orchestral performances
- Film music recordings
- Individual violin passages
- Musical arrangements
During his career, he played violin on more than 10,000 songs.
He worked with numerous prominent music directors associated with the golden era of Indian film music, 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
His work was primarily in group violin sections and, on many occasions, as a song violinist.
Professional Grade
Ashok Krishnarao Jagtap worked as a Violinist with Extra Special Grade in the Indian film industry.
His professional grade reflects his long-standing career as a violinist involved in film-song recordings and orchestral performances.
He worked alongside prominent music directors and other professional musicians during film-song recordings.
Over the course of his career, he performed violin on more than 10,000 songs.
Work with Ravindra Jain
Ashok Krishnarao Jagtap also worked with renowned music director Ravindra Jain.
In addition to his work as a violinist, Jagtap arranged several songs of Ravindra Jain, contributing to the musical arrangement and recording process.
His association with Ravindra Jain formed one of the notable aspects of his professional career in film music.
Cine Musicians Association
Ashok Krishnarao Jagtap served as the President of the Cine Musicians Association for several years.
During his tenure and professional association with the organization, he participated in activities connected with musicians working in the Indian film industry.
He also worked on several committees of the Western India Film Federation, contributing to professional activities related to the film industry and its workforce.
Honour by Pyarelal
Ashok Krishnarao Jagtap was honoured by music director Pyarelal on behalf of the Cine Musicians Association.
The recognition was associated with his contribution and long-standing professional work as a violinist and musician in the Indian film industry.
Published Work
Ashok Krishnarao Jagtap is the author of a book documenting his 50 years of experience in the golden era of film music.
The book is titled Golden Era of Indian Music.
The book records his memories, experiences and observations from his long career in Indian film music and provides insights into the professional world of film musicians during the golden era.
A Gujarati edition of the book is available. A Marathi translation is also in progress according to the information provided.
Book Availability
Golden Era of Indian Music is also available on Amazon.
The book provides readers with an opportunity to explore Ashok Krishnarao Jagtap's personal experiences and recollections from approximately 50 years associated with the Indian film-music industry.
Musical Contributions
Ashok Krishnarao Jagtap's professional contributions include:
- Violin performance
- Film music recording
- Group violin performance
- Song violin performance
- Orchestral performance
- Western music
- Musical arrangement
- Training students in Western music
- Mentoring young musicians
- Professional activities within the film-music industry
His career represents the contribution of professional instrumentalists and session musicians to Indian film music.
Professional Journey
| Year / Period | Professional Milestone |
|---|---|
| 29 July 1941 | Born and brought up in Baroda, Gujarat |
| Education | Completed a degree course at Music College, now Faculty of Performing Arts |
| Musical Training | Learned Western musical notation from Edward Daniel Francis |
| 1963 | Started Opera Music Centre in Gujarat |
| 1963 onwards | Trained students in Western music through Opera Music Centre |
| 1965 | Moved to Mumbai to join the film industry as a musician |
| 1965 onwards | Began professional career with music directors Kalyanji–Anandji |
| Career | Worked as an Extra Special Grade Violinist in the film industry |
| Career | Played violin on more than 10,000 songs |
| Career | Worked with prominent music directors of the golden era |
| Career | Arranged several songs of Ravindra Jain |
| Career | Served as President of the Cine Musicians Association for several years |
| Career | Worked on committees of the Western India Film Federation |
| Career | Honoured by music director Pyarelal on behalf of the Cine Musicians Association |
| Later Years | Authored a book documenting 50 years of experience in the golden era of film music |
| Later Years | Golden Era of Indian Music made available in Gujarati and on Amazon |
| Recent Years | Enjoying retired life |
Legacy
Ashok Krishnarao Jagtap's professional journey spans several decades of Indian film music.
Beginning with his musical activities in Gujarat and his establishment of Opera Music Centre in 1963, he later moved to Mumbai in 1965 and built a career as an Extra Special Grade Violinist.
His work with leading music directors, contribution to more than 10,000 film songs, musical arrangements, training of students and involvement with professional musicians' organizations form important parts of his career.
His book, Golden Era of Indian Music, documents approximately 50 years of experience in the golden era of film music and preserves his personal experiences and memories of the industry.
Retirement
After several decades of professional involvement in Indian film music, Ashok Krishnarao Jagtap is now enjoying retired life.
His professional career included work as a violinist, film musician, orchestra founder, music arranger, music trainer and representative of cine musicians.
Personal Details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Ashok Krishnarao Jagtap |
| Date of Birth | 29 July 1941 |
| Birthplace | Baroda (now Vadodara), Gujarat, India |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Profession | Violinist, Extra Special Grade and Film Musician |
| Professional Grade | Extra Special Grade Violinist |
| Education | Degree course at Music College, now Faculty of Performing Arts |
| Musical Training | Western musical notation |
| Teacher | Edward Daniel Francis |
| Orchestra | Opera Music Centre |
| Opera Music Centre Founded | 1963 |
| Mumbai Career | Began in 1965 |
| Songs Played | More than 10,000 |
| Music Arrangement | Arranged several songs of Ravindra Jain |
| Professional Association | Cine Musicians Association |
| Former Position | President, Cine Musicians Association |
| Film Federation | Worked on committees of the Western India Film Federation |
| Book | Golden Era of Indian Music |
| Book Availability | Available on Amazon |
| Book Language | Gujarati edition available; Marathi translation in progress |
| Current Status | Enjoying retired life |
| 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 following video links provide access to interviews and media featuring Ashok Krishnarao Jagtap. Readers can use the links to listen to his interviews and learn about his experiences in the Indian film-music industry.
Gallery
External Links