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Soulfully Ravi by Manek Premchand — A Melodic Tribute to a Master Composer

Blue Pencil is delighted to announce the release of our latest title, Soulfully Yours, Ravii, an evocative, deeply researched, and heartfelt exploration of one of Hindi cinema’s most quietly brilliant music composers: Ravi. Authored by the celebrated Hindi film and music historian Manek Premchand, this book promises to be a treasure for every lover of Hindi film music.

This 455-page non-fiction work examines the life, legacy, and musical genius of a composer whose work lives on in the hearts of millions, even when his name often slips from mainstream recollection.

Rediscovering Ravi: The Man Behind the Melodies

Ask Hindi film music lovers to list their top composers, and Ravi’s name might appear late, if at all. Yet, hum a few notes of Chaudhvin Ka Chaand Ho, Jab Chali Thandi Hawa, or Aye Meri Zohra Jabeen, and voices across generations will join in.

This paradox of unforgettable melodies paired with an under-recognized creator lies at the heart of Soulfully Yours Ravi.

In this definitive work, Manek Premchand revisits Ravi’s illustrious repertoire, diving into the stories behind his 100 finest songs. The book captures the essence of a man who preferred to stay away from the spotlight while creating music that sparkled with emotion, grace, and timeless charm. Ravi is remembered here not only as a composer but also as a lyricist and singer, revealing the layers of talent that made him a true musical craftsman.

Soulfully Yours Ravi is more than a biographical account; it is a celebration of melody over fame, emotion over visibility, and art over ego.

A Journey Through Timeless Music

Across its meticulously structured chapters, the book offers:

Critical reflections on Ravi’s most iconic songs
Analysis of his contributions as a composer whose simplicity hid immense depth
A thoughtful narrative reconstructing how his music outlived the man in public memory

For every student of music, for every devotee of classic Hindi films, and for every admirer of the golden age of melodies, this book is an essential companion.

Manek Premchand — Chronicler of Hindi Film Music

A distinguished scholar of Hindi film music, Manek Premchand has long been a custodian of the Golden Era. He has taught Broadcasting and Visual Communications at St. Xavier’s College, Mumbai, and conducted acclaimed Master Classes on the evolution of Hindi film music at Manipal University. He has also served as an Advisor to Manipal University Press, which has published two of his books.

His impressive body of work includes hundreds of articles and several landmark books such as Yesterday’s Melodies, Today’s Memories, Musical Moments From Hindi Films, Romancing The Song, Shiv Kumar Sharma, The Man and His Music (co-authored with two others), Talat Mahmood—The Velvet Voice, Hitting The Right Notes, The Hindi Music Jukebox, The Unforgettable Music of Hemant Kumar, Majrooh Sultanpuri: The Poet For All Reasons, Windows to the Soul, DIRECTOR’S CHAIR — Hindi Cinema’s Golden Age, And the Music Lives On and Soulfully Yours, Ravi.

Manek’s presence has enriched film festivals, literary gatherings, radio shows, and television programmes dedicated to preserving the rich legacy of Hindi cinema and music.

A Must-Read for Music Lovers

Soulfully Yours Ravi is a must-have for musicologists, collectors, historians, and anyone who has ever hummed a Ravi tune without knowing the genius behind it.

Book Details

Title: Soulfully Yours Ravi
Author: Manek Premchand
Genre: Non-Fiction / Cinema
Binding: Paperback (6.14″ x 9.25″)
Pages: 455
ISBN: 978-81-943921-4-9

Celebrate the legacy of a composer who let his music speak louder than his name. Order your copy of Soulfully Yours, Ravi.
Amazon India | Amazon USA | Flipkart | Blue Pencil

Other Blue Pencil Publications by Manek Premchand

The Unforgettable Music of Hemant Kumar

Majrooh Sultanpuri: The Poet For All Reasons

DIRECTOR’S CHAIR — Hindi Cinema’s Golden Age

MURMURS Silent Steals with Soumitra Chatterjee

It is not an easy task to hook the reader with stream of consciousness words, phrases, sentences through 90 pages and 19 chapters. Amitava Nag’s book Murmurs: Moments with Soumitra Chatterjee succeeds in keeping his reader hooked as he weaves an abstract tapestry with fragments of memory around the author’s numerous engagements with Soumitra Chatterjee.

He succeeds in capturing unspoken thoughts, suppressed sighs, internalized monologues of the ageing actor, thespian, poet and painter as he sits in his ‘garage turned into a study – low roof and basic’. Shifting lights and changing season outside blend with the swirling coffee in slow motion as unspoken words hang heavy in the still air inside the room. As Soumitra copes with his failing health and aching body, he articulates his unfulfilled aspiration, ‘But Amitava, I still would have loved to be a Sir Garfield Sobers’.

Amitava Nag’s impressionistic recounts in Murmurs are intimate and bereft of eulogy. He is neither overwhelmed, nor judgmental. His observant eye catches every fleeting shadow on the actor’s countenance and reads into every turn of his head and torso. Through the nineteen chapters, each of which is a well crafted work of art, Soumitra Chatterjee’s soul is revealed to the readers. A must read not only for the admirers of the thespian, but also for admirers of experimental literary work.

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Subha Das Mollick

Subha Das Mollick is a media teacher and a documentary filmmaker. She has made more than 50 documentary films on a variety of subjects, most of which have been aired on the national television. She had been the head of the Film Studies and Mass Communication Deptt. at the St. Xavier’s College, Kolkata.

Click here to read the preview collection of interactions that is set to release as the book Murmurs: Moments with Soumitra Chatterjee by Amitava Nag, on 19th January 2021 to celebrate the legend’s 87th birthday.

Tag: Biographical

Soulfully Yours, Ravi by Manek Premchand