Bollywood music composer and singer Shravan Kumar Rathod of the Nadeem-Shravan duo fame, who was battling a Covid-19 infection and comorbidity-related complications, passed away in a Mumbai hospital.
The Nadeem-Shravan duo spun musical magic in the nineties with numerous hits.
Around a week ago, Shravan (66) was admitted to Mumbai's SL Raheja Hospital, where he passed away on Thursday night.
Shravan's wife, older son Sanjeev have been tested positive for Covid-19 and are in hospital for treatment.
His younger son Darshan will perform the last rites.
The duo of Shravan Kumar Rathod and Nadeem Akhtar Saifee shot into fame with Aashiqui in 1990 – after a big break by Mahesh Bhatt and followed up with impressive soundtracks in Saajan (1991), Dil Hai Ki Manta Nahin (1991), Sadak (1991), Phool Aur Kaante (1991), Deewana (1992), Hum Hai Rahi Pyar Ke (1993), Dilwale (1994) and Raja Hindustani (1996) among others.
Some of the hits songs are: Dheere Dheere Se (Aashiqui), Nazar Ke Saamne (Asshiqui) Sochenge Tumhe Pyar (Deewana), Dil Ne Yeh Kaha Hai Dil Se (Dhadkan), Aisi Deewangi (Deewana), Dil Hai Ke Manta Nahin (Dil Hai Ke Manta Nahin), Bahut Pyaar Karte Hain (Saajan), Pardesi Pardesi (Raja Hindustani), Teri Ummid Tera Intezar (Deewana), Do Dil Mil Rahe Hain (Pardes), Mera Dil Bhi Kitna Pagal Hai (Saajan), Chehra Kya Dekhte Ho (Salaami), Tum Dil Ki Dhadkan Mein (Dhadkan).
Singer Kumar Sanu, expressing his shock at the incident, said: “Very sad news about my dear friend #Shravan ji ! Ap apne shangeet ke zariye hum sasbi ke dilo me hamesa zinda rahenge. RIP Shravan ji.”
“God knows what lies in store, I have been reduced to half…my elder brother has left… I spent most of my mornings and evening with Shravan,” said Sameer, who had teamed up with the duo to give several hits.
But before the magic of nineties, veteran singer Mohammed Rafi and Manna Dey also sang for them in their film Dangal and Kishore Kumar in the film Ilaaka.
Singers Lata Mangeshkar and Asha Bhosle also sang in few albums for the duo.
At the height of their popularity, several singers lent voice to their music - Kumar Sanu, Alka Yagnik, Udit Narayan, Anuradha Paudwal, Kavita Krishnamurthy, Sadhana Sargam, Poornima, Jaspinder Narula, KS Chithra, SP Balasubrahmanyam, Hariharan, Suresh Wadkar, Pankaj Udhas, Mohammed Aziz, Sudesh Bhosle, Shailendra Singh, Shabbir Kumar, Nitin Mukesh, Roop Kumar Rathod, Vinod Rathod, Abhijeet, Sonu Nigam, Shaan, KK, Gurdas Maan, Shankar Mahadevan, Babul Supriyo, Manhar Udhas, Bali Brahmbhatt, Jolly Mukherjee, Sapna Mukherjee, Anwar.
After his name came up in the Gulshan Kumar murder case, Nadeem chose self-exile in Dubai and London, and in 1997, the duo fell apart, however, many years later, they did collaborate on some projects.
Actor-producer Ajay Devgn tweeted: “Shravan (and Nadeem) walked 30 years alongside me in my career with the evergreen album for Phool Aur Kaante. Very sad, very unfortunate to hear of his demise last night. Condolences to his family”.
Paying tributes to him, actor-producer Akshay Kumar said: “Very sad to know about the passing of music composer Shravan. Nadeem-Shravan created magic for many films in 90s and later, including Dhadkan that has remained legendary in my career. Deepest Condolences to his family.”
The composer's death came as a shock to the music community in the Hindi film industry with Pritam and Adnan Sami leading tributes.
"Saddened to know that Shravanji of Nadeem Shravan has passed away. Feeling numb. When will this nightmare get over. My deepest condolences to his family," Pritam wrote.
Salim Merchant of Salim-Sulaimaan fame, wrote, "Shravan bhai is no more. My respects and condolences to his family. Nadeem-Shravan have given us some of the biggest hits in the 90s. Covid has taken so many lives. Don’t know when will this end...Really saddened by this news."
Added singer and composer Adnan Sami also expressed his condolences, tweeting: “Extremely saddened by the tragic news of legendary Music Composer Shravan ji’s (of Nadeem/Shravan fame) demise... He was not just an incredible composer but also possessed an ever loving soul & a beautiful heart. May he rest in peace.”