Indian musicians born in 1940
Here are 6 famous musicians from India were born in 1940:
Amjad Khan
Amjad Khan (November 12, 1940 Peshawar-July 27, 1992 Mumbai) also known as Amzad Khan, Gabbar Singh, Late Amjad Khan, Amjad or Amjad Zakaria Khan was an Indian actor, film director and composer. His children are Shadaab Khan, Ahlam Khan and Seemaab Khan.
Amjad Khan was born into a highly respected and renowned family of actors in India. His father, Jayant, was a famous character actor in Bollywood in the 1940s and 1950s, and his brother, Imtiaz Khan, is also an actor. Amjad Khan made his debut in the film industry with the film Nazneen in 1951 as a child artist. He then went on to appear in over 130 films in a career spanning over two decades.
Amjad Khan's most famous role was as the iconic villain Gabbar Singh in the Bollywood classic Sholay (1975), which became a chartbuster and made him a household name. He received critical acclaim for his performance and won the Filmfare Best Supporting Actor Award. He went on to play memorable characters in many other films such as Muqaddar Ka Sikandar (1978), Kaala Patthar (1979), Chameli Ki Shaadi (1986), and Diljala (1987).
Apart from being an accomplished actor, Amjad Khan was also a talented film director and composer. He directed the film Chor Police (1983) and composed music for a few films, including Chor Police and Pataal Bhairavi (1985).
Amjad Khan passed away on July 27, 1992, at the age of 51 due to heart failure. He will always be remembered as one of the greatest actors to have graced the Indian silver screen.
In addition to his success in the Hindi film industry, Amjad Khan also acted in a few English-language films, including the British film The Chess Players (1977) and the American film The Perfect Murder (1988). He was also known for his stage performances and appeared in plays such as A Hatful of Rain and A Streetcar Named Desire. Besides his contributions to the film industry, Amjad Khan was also involved in social work and supported various charitable organizations. He was awarded the National Citizen Award in 1990 in recognition of his philanthropic work. In 2013, a documentary film about his life and career, titled "Amjad Khan: A Man of Simple Truths," was released.
Amjad Khan's iconic role as Gabbar Singh in Sholay earned him a permanent place in the annals of Indian cinema. He created a menacing character who embodies the archetypal Bollywood villain, with his leather vest, tousled hair, and the infamous dialogue "Kitne aadmi they?" ("How many men were there?"). Interestingly, this dialogue was reportedly not in the original script and was spontaneously improvised by Amjad Khan on the day of shooting. The film remains one of the highest-grossing films ever made in India and continues to be a favorite of Indian audiences. Amjad Khan's performance is considered one of the greatest villainous performances in Indian cinema.
Apart from his acting roles, Amjad Khan was also a skilled writer and he contributed regularly to various publications such as Filmfare, Stardust, and Screen. He wrote on a range of topics such as cinema, society, politics, and culture. In personal life, Amjad Khan was known for his love of books, poetry, and music. He was well-versed in Urdu and had a deep appreciation for the language's literature and poetry.
Amjad Khan's legacy lives on in Indian cinema and his performances continue to inspire and entertain audiences. His son, Shadaab Khan, has also followed in his footsteps and is an actor in the Indian film industry.
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K. J. Yesudas
K. J. Yesudas (January 10, 1940 Fort Kochi-) otherwise known as K.J. Yesudas, Yesudas, Jesudas, Kattassery Joseph Yesudas, Yesudas, K.J., Jesudas, K.J., Jesu Das, Jesu Dass, K.J. Jesudoss, K.J. Yesudoss, Dasettan, Gana Gandharvan or (Dr.) Kattassery Joseph Yesudas is an Indian singer, composer, musician, playback singer and film score composer. His children are Vinod Yesudas, Vijay Yesudas and Vishal Yesudas.
His most recognized albums: Yesudas: The Golden Collection, Sitaron Mein Tu Hi, and Mayilpeeli. Genres related to him: Indian classical music and Filmi.
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Sunil Ganguly
Sunil Ganguly (January 1, 1940 Sonamura-June 14, 1999 Kolkata) was an Indian musician and guitarist. He had one child, Kaushik Ganguly.
Sunil Ganguly began his music journey from a young age and soon became proficient in playing various musical instruments, including the guitar, sitar, mandolin, and Hawaiian guitar. He was one of the most sought-after guitarists of his time, and his music has influenced many generations of musicians in India. Ganguly was known for his unique style of playing and experimenting with different genres of music, including Western classical, jazz, and Indian classical.
Apart from his successful music career, Sunil Ganguly was also a composer and arranger of music. He composed music for various films and television shows, and his work was highly appreciated by audiences and critics alike. In 1983, he received the prestigious Sangeet Natak Akademi Award for his contribution to Indian music.
Ganguly also performed extensively in concerts across the world, mesmerising audiences with his soulful music. He was known for his charming personality and his ability to connect with his fans. His sudden death in 1999 due to a heart attack was a great loss to the music industry in India. However, his legacy and contribution continue to inspire many aspiring musicians even today.
In addition to his musical career, Sunil Ganguly was also a philanthropist who actively contributed to social causes. He was a patron of the arts and helped emerging artists and musicians by providing them with a platform to showcase their talent. Ganguly was also involved in several charitable works and donated a significant portion of his earnings to various charitable organizations. He was a humble and down-to-earth person who was loved by all for his kindness and generosity. Even after his demise, Sunil Ganguly's legacy lives on through his music, and he remains one of the most significant musicians of his era. Today, there are numerous tribute concerts, festivals, and events held in his name to honor his contribution to the world of music.
Sunil Ganguly's contribution to Indian music was not just limited to playing the guitar and composing music. He also wrote several books on music, including "Bhramare Banshi", "Sur, Saptak Aur Saaz", and "Swar Mala". These books are considered seminal works in the field of music and are widely read by music enthusiasts even today.
Throughout his career, Ganguly collaborated with several notable musicians and composers, including R. D. Burman, S. D. Burman, Kishore Kumar, Lata Mangeshkar, and Asha Bhosle. Some of his most famous compositions include the music for the film "Bhuvan Shome" and the famous Bengali song "Kuchh Aise Bhi Pal Hote Hain".
Apart from his music, Sunil Ganguly was also a talented painter and had a keen interest in photography. He held several exhibitions of his paintings and photographs, which were widely appreciated.
In recognition of his immense contribution to Indian music, the government of West Bengal has instituted the "Sunil Gangopadhyay Memorial Award" for outstanding contributions in music. The award is given annually to musicians who have made significant contributions to Indian music.
Overall, Sunil Ganguly's music and legacy continue to inspire and influence young musicians even today, decades after his untimely death.
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M. G. Radhakrishnan
M. G. Radhakrishnan (July 29, 1940 Haripad-July 2, 2010 Thiruvananthapuram) also known as Malabar Gopalan Nair Radhakrishnan, M. Radhakrishnan, MG Radhakrishnan or M.G. Radhakrishnan was an Indian film score composer, composer, singer and music director. He had one child, Rajakrishnan.
His albums: , , Praja, and . Genres he performed include Carnatic music.
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Gautam Choudhury
Gautam Choudhury (April 24, 1940 Dhanbad-) also known as Gautamda is an Indian musician, writer and it consultant.
His discography includes: Tribute To The Maestro, Down Melody Lane with Gautam Choudhury and His Harmonica and Tribute To S. Chowdhury.
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Ustad Sultan Khan
Ustad Sultan Khan (April 15, 1940 Sikar-November 27, 2011 Mumbai) also known as Sultan Khan, Khan, Ustad Sultan or Ustd. Sultan Khan was an Indian musician and singer. His children are called Sabir Khan, Reshma Khan and Shera Khan.
Related albums: RaRe Elements, Piya Basanti, Sarangi and Tabla, Gospodi - The Light Of Christ, Sarangi: The Music of India, jamuna - River of Joy, Hum Kalaam - Face To Face, Thought N Beats, Ustad & the Divas and Sur Taal. Genres: Indian classical music and Hindustani classical music.
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