Vanraj Bhatia, veteran music composer behind Liril, Manthan, and 7000 other jingles passes away; ad industry mourns the loss of the maestro

• Music composer Vanraj Bhatia passed away at his residence in Mumbai today.
• The prolific Bhatia was credited with composing over 7000 jingles which included brands like Liril, Dulux and Amul's Manthan.

Veteran music composer Vanraj Bhatia, who over the course of his illustrious career composed music for many well-known movies and jingles, passed away in Mumbai today. He was 93 and had been bed-ridden owing to complications due to old age.

Bhatia who composed music for movies including classics like 36 Chowringhee Lane, Jaane Bhi Do Yaaron, Manthan and Ankur, has also composed close to 7,000 jingles over the years. He also composed the opening tunes for immensely popular television shows like Wagle Ki Duniya, Banegi Apni Baat and Tamas. Shyam Benegal’s Bharat Ek Khoj’s music was also composed by him.

In advertising, perhaps his most loved compositions are for Liril and Dulux. The song Mero Gaam Katha Parey from Benegal's Manthan that was also used in a brilliant ad for Amul was composed by him too.

Many from the ad world who had worked with him shared their experiences and their grief on social media.






Farewell, maestro!