Kishore Desai

One of the most revered musicians in the film industry, Kishore Desai reinvented the way the mandolin was played. Also a gifted sarod player, some of the unforgettable songs for which he played include Aap ki nazron ne samjha (Anpadh, 1962), Kaanton se kheechke yeh aanchal (Guide, 1965), Lag jaa gale (Woh Kaun Thi?, 1964), Saranga teri yaad (Saranga, 1960), Ae meri zohrajabeen (Waqt, 1965), Tum bin jaoon kahan (Pyar Ka Mausam, 1969), Zindagi ka safar (Safar, 1970) and more. The Dadasaheb Phalke Lifetime Achievement Award was bestowed on him for his immense contribution to film music. 
Kishore Desai's father had shifted to Rangoon in the 1930s, which is where he was born. Kishore Desai played the mandolin at the age of 15, for his first film song recording. He had originally been a sarod player. He went on to play for many music directors of the 50s and 60s. He lent unique passion and energy to his playing of the mandolin and sarod. His work has been influential on the new generation of mandolin players. His delicate touch can be heard in songs in films as late as Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge (1995) and Border (1997). 
He had assisted in scoring the music for the film Saranga (1960). Desai was the assistant music director; the main composer being Sardar Malik. The film included songs rendered by Asha Bhosle, Suman Kalyanpur, Lata Mangeshkar, Mukesh, and Mohammed Rafi.