Kabir Bedi, Sudhir Mishra raise voice for 'penniless' National Award-winning composer Vanraj Bhatia, IPRS to provide aid

By IANS

on September 17, 2019

Days after 92-year-old National Award-winning composer declared that he is "penniless" today, actor Kabir Bedi has come out in support for him and has asked for donations for the musician's well-being. "I have no money, not one rupee left in my bank account," Bhatia, winner of a Padma Shri and a Sangeet Natak Akademi Award, had revealed to a leading daily recently, even as he battles memory lapses, severe knee pain and hearing problem. Bhatia's only company is his domestic help. After Bhatia opened about his problems to the tabloid, actor Kabir Bedi paid a visit to him and requested everyone to make a donation for the composer.

"I visited Vanraj Bhatia yesterday. He is lively and spirited as ever. But, yes, ALL friends should help him at this difficult time. On his own, he has composed an opera on Girish Karnad's play "Agni Matu Male" (The Fire and the Water). And he's 92," Kabir wrote.

I visited #VanrajBhatia yesterday. He is lively and spirited as ever. But, yes, ALL friends should help him at this difficult time. On his own, he has composed an opera on Girish Karnad’s play “Agni Matu Male” (The Fire and the Water). And he’s 92! https://t.co/rFAjqKsFdL

— KABIR BEDI (@iKabirBedi) September 16, 2019

Bhatia, who studied western classical music at London'd Royal Academy of Music, composed music in films such as Kundan Shah's Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro, Aparna Sen's 36 Chowringhee Lane, and Prakash Jha's Hip Hip Hooray. From Ankur in 1974 to Sardari Begum in 1996, he was the favourite composer of arthouse titan Shyam Benegal. The duo collaborated on several projects including Manthan, Bhumika, Junoon, Kalyug, Mandi, Trikaal and Suraj Ka Saatvan Ghoda.

Filmmaker Sudhir Mishra took to social media and promised to talk to people about raising funds and aiding him through it all. Mishra reiterated that whatever was being done was in fact, not charity, but Bhatia's rightful due. After Mishra's tweet, the Indian Performing Right Society (IPRS) immediately got into action, initiating funds for Bhatia's aid.