Remembering Sonik Omi.. Music Directors who didn't get their Due

Sonik Omi

Does this ring a bell ?

Oldtimers will remember them as music directors for S.K.Kapur , and later for the action brand movies.

But they were very talented and underestimated. 

Sonik Omi was a team of

Uncle Master Manohar Lal Sonik (who was unfortunately blind) and his nephew Omprakash Verma (later he adopted the surname Sonik).

Today is Master Sonik's 99th Birth Anniversary.

Master Manohar Lal Sonik , also born in Sialkot, had lost his eyesight when he was only two. But he never let that deter him from his musical ambitions. He decided to move to Bombay to try his luck in the film industry. Eleven-year-old Om Prakash ji (Omi ) accompanied him.

They did music for a couple of movies in the 50's but it did not work out.

Characteristically, taking the disappointment in his stride, he started assisting other music directors. He went on to work on a string of musical hits with accomplished composers such as Madan Mohan (Woh Kaun Thi, Haqeeqat, Mera Saaya) and Roshan (Barsaat Ki Ek Raat, Aarti, Taj Mahal), and also newbies like Usha Khanna (Dil Deke Dekho) in which he was credited for the Background score.

Meanwhile, Omi, after several abortive attempts to succeed as a singer, had started assisting his uncle. In the Raj Kapoor-Nutan starrer Dil Hi To Hai, we see Sonik-Omi credited for the first time. Impressed with their work, the producers of the film, the Rawal"s, gave them their first break as a music director duo. The title song of the Dharmendra-Nutan starrer Dil Ne Phir Yaad Kiya (1966) became a huge hit and is a staple at ‘Tribute to Rafi’ programmes even today.

After Dil Ne Phir Yaad Kiya, the duo did two more films with the Rawals – Aabroo (1969) and Ladki Pasand Hai (1971). In between, they tasted major commercial success in the shape of Sawan Bhadon, 

"Kaan Men Jhumakaa Chaal Men Thumakaa" is a big hit even today. However, the most remembered Sonik-Omi songs from that period would be an epic Rafi tearjerker from Mahua (1969)...' Dono ne Kiya Tha Pyaar magar, Mujhe yaad raha' was an anthem for the jilted heart broken.

Then came the Epic qawalli "Raaz Ki Baat Keh Doon toh" ( Dharma).

Despite delivering such massive hits it was unfortunate Sonik-Omi never made it to the big league. Through the 1970s and ’80s, the duo composed music for a string of action movies mostly by S.K.Kapur ( Maan Gaye Ustaad, Apna Khoon , Raftaar , Shankar Dada and V.K.Sobti ( Umar Quid, Chowki no 11). Even Joginder used them for Pandit Aur Pathan and Bindiya aur Bandook 

Few will know that they also composed for Manmohan Desai in Bhai ho toh Aisa .

Master Sonik passed in July 1993

I personally feel the duo never got their due.

This is my second article on Music directors who made melody but never were in limelight. The first was Usha Khanna.

Reference:. Tribute to Omprakash Sonik

My Swar

Songs to remember