Report from Rajtilak Naik
for Daijiworld Media Network - Goa (MB)

Panaji, Jun 9: Noted Bollywood music director of yesteryear Dattaram alias Dattaram Wadkar passed away on June 8 following a severe heart attack at his residence in Mhavlingem in the Bicholim taluka, around 40kms from here.

Dattaram is survived by his wife, three daughters and three sons. Dattaram’s musical career took off as an assistant to the noted music director duo of the 1950’s, 1960's and 1970's Shanker-Jaikishen in Raj Kapoor’s ‘Barsat’ in 1948. Dattaram was in charge of the rhythm section and continued to assist Shanker-Jaikishen till 1970’s.

Dattaram was one of the core members of the Raj Kapoor’s musical team, which comprised of lyricist Hasrat Jaipuri, Shailendra and musicians Shanker Jaikishen and singer Mukesh.

Dattaram was very famous for his unusual ‘Theka’ and later on he was known for his ‘Dattu Theka’ in the industry.

Later on he also served and worked as an independent music director with Raj Kapoor. Some of the movies he scored the music for are ‘Ab Dilli Door Nahin, 'Parvarish' and so on. Dattaram holds the credit for composing some immortal songs like ‘Aansoo Bhari Hain Jeevan Ki Raahein’, ‘Masti Bhara Hain Samaa’, 'Chun Chun Karti Aayee Chidiyaa’ ans many more.

Dattaram in the final years of his career  worked with musical duo Laxmikant Pyarelal and returned  to his native place at Mhavlingem at Bicholim Goa some 15 years back and decided to spend his remaining life there.