Home » Interviews » Harish Raghuvanshi, a dedicated Filmographer from Gujarat

Harish Raghuvanshi, a dedicated Filmographer from Gujarat

A serious researcher and a passionate lover of vintage Hindi Film music.

About:

Harish Raghuvanshi is a filmographer living in the city of Surat. He has written a  book on prominent singer Mukesh which contains authentic information on his songs. He writes a column named ‘Hindi Cinema, Gujarati Mahima’ about the contribution of Gujaratis in Hindi cinema in Gujarati daily ‘Divya Bhaskar’.

Harish Raghuwanshi

Harish Raghuwanshi

Interview:

Speakbindas:

  • Welcome to Speakbindas, Harishbhai. Tell us about your early life, your education and your childhood.

Harish Raghuvanshi:

  • Thanks, Speakbindas. I was born on 15/10/49 at Palghar. My schooling and college education took place in Mumbai. I shifted to Surat in 1967 and joined my family business in 1968.

Speakbindas:

  • When were you introduced with the writer in you?

Harish Raghuvanshi:

  • In fact, I’m a film researcher doing mostly statistical work and preparing filmographies of various artists. Writing came much later as a part of my research.
Harish Raghuvanshi with Anil Biswas

Harish Raghuvanshi with Anil Biswas

Speakbindas:

  • You are very much passionate about movies and music. How does it affect your life? Or in other words, what means movies and music to you?

Harish Raghuvanshi:

  • Vintage Hindi film music is my main area of interest which itself is an inseparable part of Hindi films. They are not merely a source of entertainment but a history in itself.

Speakbindas:

  • There have always been confusions about the number of songs sung by legendary Hindi singer Mukesh. You have done a deep research on this subject and come out with some conclusions too. Tell us about that experience and facts you came out with.

Harish Raghuvanshi:

  • When I started preparing Mukesh Geet Kosh in 1980, it was believed that Mukesh has sung as many as 10,000 songs. But I was sure that the actual number of songs would not exceed 1200. When Mukesh Geet Kosh was published in ’85, music lovers realized that the figure I’d worked out was more correct.

Speakbindas:

  • Shed some light on books you have authored so far.

Harish Raghuvanshi:

  • Mukesh Geet Kosh(1985), Gujarati Film Geet Kosh (1995), Inhen na Bhoolana (2003), Jab dil hi toot gaya (2004- co compiled with HMSingh ‘hamraaz’)
Harish Raghuvanshi with Khayyam

Harish Raghuvanshi with Khayyam

Speakbindas:

  • What’s your view and perception on the recent bollywood movies and music?

Harish Raghuvanshi:

  • They’ve improved a lot technically. However, I feel they have a beautiful body without soul.

Speakbindas:

  • Which are you favorite movies? Any special movie that you have watched again and again and again, and why?

Harish Raghuvanshi:

  • I like movies directed by Raj Kapoor, Bimal Roy, Guru Dutt and Hrishikesh Mukherji. I’ve watched ‘Jagte Raho’ for many times. This film has shown the reality of our society in a simple story which takes place overnight.

Speakbindas:

  • Are you influenced by any artist of Hindi cinema, be it a movie maker, singer, musician etc.

Harish Raghuvanshi: -As above-

Speakbindas:

  • At present, which media you write for? Tell us about your present columns.

Harish Raghuvanshi:

  • In the Friday supplement (Navrang) of Divya Bhaskar, I write a column named ‘Hindi Cinema, Gujarati Mahima’ about the contribution of Gujaratis in Hindi cinema.

Speakbindas:

  • If Harishbhai himself is to introduce Harishbhai, how would it be?

Harish Raghuvanshi:

  • A serious researcher and a passionate lover of vintage Hindi Film music.
Harish Raghuvanshi with O P Nayyar

Harish Raghuvanshi with O P Nayyar

Speakbindas:

  • What was the happiest and gloomiest moment of your life?

Harish Raghuvanshi:

  • Each time my book is released is the happiest moment. The gloomiest thing is to find many pioneers of Hindi Film industry being forgotten by the industry, media and the people.

Speakbindas:

  • Say, you are sponsored to travel to 3 world destinations, where you need not to worry about costs for food, hotel or anything. Which destinations would you pick up, and why? Would you like to take someone along with you? If yes, whom?

Harish Raghuvanshi:

  • Actually speaking it’s a place of mind. It doesn’t exist anywhere. I would like to visit with a music lover friend where all the archives of Hindi Film music are preserved and accessible easily.

Speakbindas:

  • What are some words or phrases you use most?

Harish Raghuvanshi:

  • ‘કંઈ કામકાજ હોય તો બોલો.’ (Kai kamkaaj hoy to bolo.) (And I mean it for serious work-doing people.)

Speakbindas:

  • What would be the one thing you’d change about yourself?

Harish Raghuvanshi:

  • I should learn to speak ‘NO’.

Speakbindas:

  • What is your deepest fear?

Harish Raghuvanshi: -nil-

Speakbindas:

  • If you could meet one person, dead or alive, who would it be?

Harish Raghuvanshi:

  • Late K L Saigal and Late Mukesh.

Speakbindas:

  • What’s your favorite food?

Harish Raghuvanshi:

  • Any vegetarian food, preferably Gujarati thali.

Speakbnidas:

  • If the world was going to end tomorrow you would….?

Harish Raghuvanshi:

  • I would keep on doing my routine work in a normal way without getting panic.

Speakbindas:

  • What’s your take on the technological advancement these days? Does it make people’s life simple or complicated?

Harish Raghuvanshi: Both.

Harish Raghuvanshi with Talat Mahmood

Harish Raghuvanshi with Talat Mahmood

Speakbindas:

  • Any special message you would like to share with Speakbindas readers as well with everyone else?

Harish Raghuvanshi:

  • Whatever you do, don’t forget the pioneers. Instead of just mentioning their names, try to get as many details as possible with authenticity.

Speakbindas:

  • Harishbhai, how can people reach you?

Harish Raghuvanshi:

  • I can be reached at:

Harish Raghuwanshi
10,Vrindavan Society
Somnath Mahadev Road, Parle Point
Surat  395 007 (Gujarat, INDIA)
Mobile 0 93747 12322
Res: +91 261 2225561

About

Devang Vibhakar is the Founder and Editor of www.SpeakBindas.com. He has interviewed more than 350 people. His effort was recognized by Limca Book of Records, twice. He has been to Scotland as well as Germany as part of vocational & cultural exchange programs and has compiled five books so far. He's passionate about bringing forth interesting stories & interviews of entrepreneurs to avid readers of SpeakBindas. He can be reached here.

18 thoughts on “Harish Raghuvanshi, a dedicated Filmographer from Gujarat

  1. rajnikumar pandyta says:

    Very good questioned and very smart replies. I shared these moments with Urvish Kothari

  2. Biren Kothari says:

    We look forward for one more book from Harishbhai at the earliest on ‘Hindi cinema gujarati mahima’.

  3. parshuram says:

    Very few true & great persons are like Hon’ Harishbhai Raghuvanshi in the research field of Hindi Cinema. The extra ordinary work created by Harishbhai is one of the greatest contributions for those who want thoroughly studies and true information about Cinemas. The historian -true historian never takes rest and seems busy with research with what he goes on.We Gujarati must take pride of Harishbhai Raghuvanshi.

  4. kirankumar chauhan says:

    હરીશભાઇ, તમે જે કામ કર્યું અને કરી રહ્યા છો એ માટે તો સલામ પણ ઓછા પડે. એકવાર આપણા ગુજરાતી કલાકાર હિતેનકુમાર સાથે વાતચીત દરમિયાન તમારો ઉલ્લેખ થયેલો ત્યારે એમણે પણ બહુ આદરથી તમારી પ્રશંસા કરેલી.

  5. SALIL DALAL(TORONTO) says:

    My complements for interviewing Harishbhai.
    He is such a sincere, genuine and a low profile person, apart from being a very studious researcher of Cinema.
    Till June 2008 when I moved to Canada for years I was writting weekly columns on movies in ‘Sandesh’, ‘Gujarat Samachar’, ‘Divya Bhaskar’ etc. and whenever I had some verification of facts to do Harishbhai was the only person I would call and depend.
    Even after shifting my base to Toronto I have been in touch with him for various articles that I write and he has been very prompt as well as co operative.
    As he says in one of the answers ” kai kaamkaaj hoy to bolo” is not only his ‘takiya kalaam’ he really wants to help serious researcher in the field of Cinema.
    I have maintained that Harishbhai’s work is pioneering and should be highlighted much more. You have done it and my thanx to you for that.
    Keep up the good work, man!

  6. Bhagyendra Patel says:

    I have lot of memories with Harishbhai Raghuvanshi, when I was lived in Surat during 1987-1994. I know him as a encyclopedia of Gujarati-Hindi cinema informations, especially on music and very specially on playback singer Mukeh.
    Recently, I was lucky to have a short meeting with him in Surat after a gap of 15 years. I was very glad to see him and so thankful of him for his always helping nature to music-lovers.
    Earlier, a couple of years ago, I watched his interview by Bhagwatikumar Sharma on Doordarshan. I was a regular reader of his question-answer column in newspapers and other articles on various film-related topics. His column named Navrang is highly appreciated for his contribution of writing on Gujarati film personalities.
    I am happy to see this interview in which Harishbhai said about some important things of his life and some photographs with great music directors of Hindi cinema.
    I wish him all the best.

  7. Harnish Jani says:

    “Harish Raghuvanshi”is a great subject for interview,Devang. My hearty congratulation to you. You made me happy-I was curious about Harishbhai-I m impressed with his zeal and dediction for Cinema-

  8. Bharat Pandya says:

    The best feature if Harish Raghuvanshi is its authenticity.He only writes of what he has personal knowledge and proof.Most other filmographers spread Gossips and mention unauthenticated news.
    Harishbhai is a true researcher. He is consulted by most writers and you will find his name mentioned in as a source of information in all Hindi Music Books.I know of many journalist who gether information from him and publish them under their own name,But Harishbhai is always ready to Help.It is impossible to fing a historical mistake in his article.a very low profile, humble m non assuming kind of person.Who shuns publicity.He is 100% dependable authority.He uses very simple language and does not slip into unnecessary details, he is to the point.and straight forward in his writings.Other such researcher is RajaniKant Pandya.This two represent best in film journalism.

  9. Narendra M.Zala says:

    I am reader of Shri Harishbhai Raghuvanshi since my teen age.I am very much fascinated by his sincere ,authentic and continuous research work.During my college days, i was writing a letter to him so often and was getting prompt reply.[Harish bhai if you are reading this notes,i am very well remembering the accident of your son Kamlesh…and coma stage…horrible…]

    Today,we are in contact via E-Mail and the person is very keen about maintaining his contacts.

    Last but not the least, Salute a legend for his great work.

  10. Padmanabh K. Joshi says:

    Very interesting interview in which he thoughtfully replied. It is very unfortunate that most of the information about Hindi Film community which include all, a.e. Actors, Producers, Directors, Music Directors, Lyricists, Singers etc. are hardly available and even they are not authentic. Harishbhai’s Data Centre is very reliable and authentic and fortunately everyone trusts his information. I wish him success in all the projects he undertakes.
    Padmanabh K. Joshi

  11. Prafull Ghorecha says:

    Interesting interview.
    Actually Harishbhai is pioneer of geetkosh and thereafter some geetkosh released.
    Harishbhai having perfect knowledge of any artist and it is due to his hard homework.

  12. Dinesh Pandya says:

    Very interesting interview of Harish Raghuvanshi who has done reaserch and published complete
    GEET-KOSH of singing legend Mukesh.
    He is a perfact filmographer, dose very dip reaserch, aquire detail knowledge and share with the
    people. His writtings are very authentic and so loudable.
    I have contact with Harishbhai since he published Mukesh Geet-Kosh through letters, phones and
    now e-mails. I never met him personally but I am sure he is a very warm and polite person. Hope
    to see him personally some time.

    My Congratullations to both Mr. Devang and Harishbhai!

    Dinesh Pandya

  13. Liaquat Jadoon says:

    i am also journalist in Islamabad. i have been working as a reporter and sub editor in English desk in a private news Agency independent News Pakistan in Islamabad last for five year.

    Liaquat Khan Jadoon From Pakistan

  14. Surendra Raghuwanshi says:

    Respacted Harish bhai i salute you for your great work. This is historical. I am song writer.i want to use my songs in hindi films by your help. Please gide me and support me. Thanks surendra Raghuwanshi . Teachers colony.Ashoknagar . M.p. India 473331. Mob. 09926625886

  15. Pankaj Dwivedi says:

    I just talked Harish Bhai over the phone and he is as so humble and soft spoken music lover as he was more than 26 years back, whem I met him. After getting a book on my beloved singer Mukeshji by Harishji and exchanged thousands of letters, we are still good friends.For me Harishji is second Mukeshji.

    With Deep Regards,
    Pankaj Dwivedi
    Founder: http://www.SingerMukesh.com
    Link: http://www.Facebook/SingerMukesh

  16. Ashok Ramani says:

    Un belivable research in hindi cinema & Music as well as Gujarati Legendry artist gave their out standing Contribution in Hindi Cinema. I have also requesting you to Please give More Details about Radiogram I have like such And i have tried so many place but i un success to find out if you know any body who is collector of that please give me Address
    Thanks & Regards
    Ashok Ramani
    Jamnagar ( Gujarat )
    +-91 94090-78154

  17. Navin K. Trivedi says:

    For a few years , I was looking for Shree Harisbhai’s address to acknowledge
    his article -75 years of Gujarati Cinema in my book ,GANGOTRI . Alot of thanks ,
    Harishbhai. Yes, I’d like to buy your books. Keep it up.Thanks .
    Navin Trivedi , MODASA, Dist Arvlli

  18. Ramesh Dutt says:

    A great job Harish ji 992 songs by Mukesh saab..I had the pleasure of attending two musical nights by Mukesh saab in 1973 in Shimla, I had the pleasure of talking to him also.. Its a wonderful compilation by Harish ji..Mukesh ji was a great artiste and we must tresure his memory.. Harish ji is writing a book on almost 2000 music directors..I wish him God speed.. I read this interview with interest. Its like an oasis Prof Ramesh dutt, saharanpur.. 09012115000

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

*
*