Raamlaxman was an Indian musical duo consisting ofVijay Patil (16 September 1942 – 22 May 2021) who performed under the name Laxman, andSurendra who passed in 1976. However, Patil continued to work under the original name.^[1][2] Laxman, was an Indian composer,pianist, musician andaccordionist. Raamlaxman is most famous for his work withRajshri Productions of Hindi films.^[3] In a career spanning four decades, Raamlaxman worked in 150 films inHindi,Marathi andBhojpuri, and worked with noted film director of his time, notablyManmohan Desai,Mahesh Bhatt,GP Sippy,Anil Ganguly andSooraj Barjatya.^[4] He composed music for their hit films likePandu Havaldar (1975),Maine Pyar Kiya (1989),Hum Aapke Hain Koun..! (1994),Hum Saath Saath Hain (1999),Muskurahat (1992),Police Public (1990),100 Days (1991). His first film wasAgent Vinod (1977)^[5]

Laxman (Patil) took his initial music lessons from his father and uncle. He later studied music at theBhatkhande Shikshan Sansthan.^[1] Raamlaxman started his own orchestra named Amar-Vijay (Amar was his son's name).

The famous comedian,Dada Kondke was impressed by him and approached him to compose the music for hisMarathi comedyPandu Havaldar.^[6] Vijay, with his friend Raam, composed the music that went on to become a raging hit, and their alliance with Kondke did not break until the latter's death. Later, he did films withManmohan Desai,Mahesh Bhatt, G.P.Sippy, Anil Ganguly and others. His favourite singers wereShailendra Singh andUsha Mangeshkar, while his favourite lyricist wasAsad Bhopali.^[6] His releases were mostly with Ravindra Rawal. Although he frequently collaborated withLata Mangeshkar and produced some of the biggest hits in his career.

In 1981, Raamlaxman collaborated with Ravindra Rawal for movieHum Se Badhkar Kaun. Song "Deva O Deva Ganpati Deva" got famous during that period. He has also given music for moviesHum Se Hai Zamana (1983),Woh Jo Hasina (1983),Deewana Tere Naam Ka (1987) andAage Ki Soch (1988).

Raamlaxman is the "Laxman" of duo composers "Raam-Laxman". In 1976, "Raam" (his partnerSurendra) died immediately after signing the filmAgent Vinod (1977). Laxman continued to retain Raam's name inMarathi as well asHindi films.^[7]

In the year 1988, Raamlaxman got a major break withSooraj Barjatya'sMaine Pyar Kiya (1989). His composition earned himfilmfare award for Best Music Director. The film set a record at its time for the most Filmfare awards won by a single film with seven, from thirteen nominations. It was also the first film to win the three major awards in the music category (Best Music Director, Male Playback Singer, Best Lyricist). The film also launchedS. P. Balasubrahmanyam as voice of new actorSalman Khan from period 1989 to 1994.

Laxman scored a major hit once again with superhit filmHum Aapke Hain Koun..! (1994). His collaboration with Sooraj Barjatya went on and he gave good hits in the filmHum Saath Saath Hain (1999).

He died at his residence in Nagpur on 22 May 2021, due to COVID-related complications and cardiac arrest, at the age of 78.^[8][7]

• List of Bollywood films

• Raamlaxman atIMDb

• Indian film score composers
• Filmfare Awards winners
• Marathi people
• Accordionists
• 2021 deaths
• 1942 births
• 20th-century Indian composers
• 20th-century Indian male musicians
• 21st-century Indian composers
• 21st-century Indian male musicians
• Indian musical duos
• Hindi film score composers
• Marathi film score composers

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