National award winning music director Vanraj Bhatia, who composed music for many of Bollywood's superhit films, serials and commercials, passed away due to age-related ailments on Friday.Vanraj, 93, breathed his last in Mumbai. Vanraj had been battling old age related ailments for a long time. Born on May 31, 1927, Vanraj Bhatia studied music at the Royal Academy of Music, London. He returned to India in 1959 and started working in the Bollywood industry. He was the first to make jingles for advertisements. To note, the music composer had composed 7,000 advertising jingles including the popular Liril and Dulux.
In 1972, he got his first big break in Bollywood. He provided background music for Shyam Benegal's movie 'Ankur'. Bhatia composed music for Shyam Benegal's films in the 1970s and '80s. Later, Bhatia also composed music for Govind Nihalani and Prakash Jha's films. Manthan, Bhumika, Kalyug, Junoon, Mandi, Trikal, Drohakal, Jane Bhi Do Yaaro, Suraj Ka Satwa Ghoda, Tamas are notable films of Bhatia. He composed the music for the only commercial film, Ajooba.
In 1988, he won the National Music Award for his film Tamas. He was also awarded the Padma Shri in 1989 and the Sangeet Akademi. He was awarded the Padma Shri in 2012.