It should have been for both: Laxmikant’s daughter on Padma Bhushan to Pyarelal

Mumbai, February 6

The Padma Bhushan, if given to Pyarelal, must also be given to my late father, said Laxmikant’s daughter on Tuesday, adding that the “L and P” cannot be taken into lone considerations. The family wrote to the Union Ministries of Home and Information and Broadcasting on the matter.

Pyarelal, one half of the iconic composer duo Laxmikant-Pyarelal that gave music for over 700 films, was announced as a recipient of the Padma Bhushan, India’s third highest civilian honour, on the eve of Republic Day.

“We were very happy that Pyarelal uncle was finally awarded, but we felt that when it was about the Padma Bhushan honour, they shouldn’t have divided L-P. Just because my dad has unfortunately passed away, they shouldn’t have given it to Pyarelal uncle alone,” said Rajeshwari Laxmikant.

In her letters, Laxmikant’s wife Jaya Kudalkar appealed to the government to include her late husband in the honour along with his collaborator.

Rajeshwari said the family wrote the letter because LP, as the music duo was fondly known, worked as a team on every tune.

Laxmikant Kudalkar and Pyarelal Sharma made their debut as composers with 1963 film “Parasmani” and struck gold with the success of “Dosti” a year later. They went on to script musical history spanning more than 35 years, giving songs for classic albums such as “Do Raaste”, “Daag”, “Haathi Mere Sathi”, “Bobby”, “Amar Akbar Anthony” and “Karz”.

“The government might have overlooked their decision, but I am sure they will look into the matter and justify the whole thing,” she said.