Dilip Dholakia

When he was seven, he used to accompany his father Bhogilal and grandfather Manishankar Dholakia to Swaminarayan temple in Junagadh where they used to sing bhajans and play musical instruments.

In 1946, he sang ‘Dukh Ki Is Nagri Mein Baba Koi Na Puchhe Baat’ for film Laaj.

In HMV studio, he was introduced to Snehal Bhatkar who helped him to produce records sung by him with lyrics written by Venibhai Purohit.

He worked with him from 1951 to 1972 and contributed in several films; Insaaf, Kismat, Jindagi Ke Mele, Bhabhi, Kali Topi Lal Rumal.

He composed music for several Hindi films; Bhaktamahima (1960), Saugandh (1961), Baghdad Ki Raaten (1962), Teen Ustad (1961) and Private Secretary (1962), Dagabaaz (1970), Veer Ghatotkach (1970) and Mata Vaishnavi Devi.

Other Gujarati films include Divadandi (1950), Mota Ghar Ni Dikri, Kanku (1969),[3] Sat Na Parkhe, Snehbandhan and Jalam Sang Jadeja.

He sang 'Taro Aankhno Afeeni' written by Venibhai Purohit and composed by Ajit Merchant for Divadandi (1950) which became hit and is still popular across Gujarat.

[4] His other popular Gujarati songs are 'Mane Andhara Bolave', and 'Paglu Paglama Atvanu,' 'Sathiya Puravo Dvare, 'Dhanna Dhatudi Patudi', 'Bole Milan No Mor'.