Leslie Lewis
Encyclopedia
Leslie Lewis is an India
n composer, perhaps best known for his work in Colonial Cousins, a duo composed of Lewis and Hariharan
.
In 2003 Lewis stated that he felt the public associated him too much with remixes and for that reason he had begun to avoid remixes and instead concentrate on his original compositions and on his work in Colonial Cousins. Lewis' father P. L. Raj
was a prolific film choreographer.
. His father is a choreographer for films. Later, at boarding school, Lezz was exposed to the Beatles, Jimi Hendrix and Eric Clapton. With these diverse musical influences, Lewis soon began plucking guitar chords at the Cafe Royal, Oberoi Towers. Later, he had the opportunity of recording with renowned film music directors such as Kalyanji Anandji, Laxmikant Pyarelal, R. D. Burman and Louis Banks.
In 1987, Lewis launched a music company and began carving out a career in jingles composing. He composed for some of the leading television networks and picked up nominations for the awards handed out annually by the Indian Academy of Advertising Film Art (IAAFA). After four consecutive nominations, in 1989, Lezz bagged the award.
Lewis's other musical credits include doing the remix job for Asha Bhosle's Rahul and I album and writing the musical scores for the legendary diva's Janam samjha karo album. He also composed and produced the music for Suneeta Rao in "Paree Hu Main", Alisha in "Bombay Girl" and for KK in Pal
.
In 1998, Lewis cut his first solo album, Haseena, which sold fairly well. He has also made a foray into film music, completing the scores for the Hindi films Mela and "Jahd" and working on the scores for the Tamil film Modhi Vilayadu
. Lewis' father had long been prodding him to do film music, reminding him that that was where the big bucks and big names were.
was conceived. Lewis had called in Hariharan
to sing a jingle for him one evening in 1992. The lyrics for the jingle were late coming in. Lewis began singing something while strumming his guitar, Hari felt inspired to jam with an alaap, and the result: the seamless fusion of Eastern and Western sounds that has become characteristic of the Colonial Cousins.The year 1996 was a career milestone; he formed the band Colonial Cousins
with ghazal singer Hariharan
.Their first album, Colonial Cousins
was a fusion album and was the first Indian act to be featured on MTV Unplugged
. It won a string of awards including the MTV Indian Viewers' Choice award and Billboard Award for the Best Asian Music Group. By this single album, Hariharan established himself as one of the pioneers of Indian fusion music. The next albums by this band were The Way We Do It
(1998) and Aatma
(2001) but were fairly noticed. 2009 Tamil film Modhi Vilayadu
had score and soundtrack composed by Colonial Cousins. They also scored the 2010 Tamil film Chikku Bukku
.
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
n composer, perhaps best known for his work in Colonial Cousins, a duo composed of Lewis and Hariharan
Hariharan (singer)
Hariharan , born 3 April 1955) is an Indian playback singer in Hindi, Tamil, Malayalam, Kannada, Marathi, Bhojpuri and Telugu movies, an established ghazal singer, and one of the pioneers of Indian fusion music. His melody is strongly appreciated by the film fraternity...
.
In 2003 Lewis stated that he felt the public associated him too much with remixes and for that reason he had begun to avoid remixes and instead concentrate on his original compositions and on his work in Colonial Cousins. Lewis' father P. L. Raj
P. L. Raj
P. L. Raj was a Bollywood film choreographer from Andhra Pradesh. He choreographed over 1,000 films, and won a Filmfare Award for Best Cinematography for Jaag Utha Insan . Other notable works include Milan . Though Raj began his career in Bollywood in early 50s the first major break saw him...
was a prolific film choreographer.
Biography
Leslie Peter Lewis (or "Lezz", as he is known) inherited his artistic inclinations from his father P. L. RajP. L. Raj
P. L. Raj was a Bollywood film choreographer from Andhra Pradesh. He choreographed over 1,000 films, and won a Filmfare Award for Best Cinematography for Jaag Utha Insan . Other notable works include Milan . Though Raj began his career in Bollywood in early 50s the first major break saw him...
. His father is a choreographer for films. Later, at boarding school, Lezz was exposed to the Beatles, Jimi Hendrix and Eric Clapton. With these diverse musical influences, Lewis soon began plucking guitar chords at the Cafe Royal, Oberoi Towers. Later, he had the opportunity of recording with renowned film music directors such as Kalyanji Anandji, Laxmikant Pyarelal, R. D. Burman and Louis Banks.
In 1987, Lewis launched a music company and began carving out a career in jingles composing. He composed for some of the leading television networks and picked up nominations for the awards handed out annually by the Indian Academy of Advertising Film Art (IAAFA). After four consecutive nominations, in 1989, Lezz bagged the award.
Lewis's other musical credits include doing the remix job for Asha Bhosle's Rahul and I album and writing the musical scores for the legendary diva's Janam samjha karo album. He also composed and produced the music for Suneeta Rao in "Paree Hu Main", Alisha in "Bombay Girl" and for KK in Pal
Pal (album)
Pal was released by Sony Music, the album was also the first Indian solo artist debut album from the company. The album was arranged, composed and produced by Leslie Lewis of Colonial Cousins. The lyrics have been written by Mehboob...
.
In 1998, Lewis cut his first solo album, Haseena, which sold fairly well. He has also made a foray into film music, completing the scores for the Hindi films Mela and "Jahd" and working on the scores for the Tamil film Modhi Vilayadu
Modhi Vilayadu
Modhi Vilayadu is a Tamil language film released on 24 July 2009. It stars Vinay Rai and Kajal Aggarwal in the lead roles. The film opened to mixed reviews with Indiaglitz.com rating it highly while Behindwoods said "The game lacks excitement". The film flopped miserably at the box office.The...
. Lewis' father had long been prodding him to do film music, reminding him that that was where the big bucks and big names were.
Colonial Cousins
It was during Lewis's jingles career that the idea of Colonial CousinsColonial Cousins
Colonial Cousins is a band formed by Indian duo composed of singer Hariharan and singer-composer Leslie Lewis. They also have a largely successful career as solo artists as well. Their unique brand of music fused Indian and Western musical genres instantly won the hearts of young and old alike...
was conceived. Lewis had called in Hariharan
Hariharan (singer)
Hariharan , born 3 April 1955) is an Indian playback singer in Hindi, Tamil, Malayalam, Kannada, Marathi, Bhojpuri and Telugu movies, an established ghazal singer, and one of the pioneers of Indian fusion music. His melody is strongly appreciated by the film fraternity...
to sing a jingle for him one evening in 1992. The lyrics for the jingle were late coming in. Lewis began singing something while strumming his guitar, Hari felt inspired to jam with an alaap, and the result: the seamless fusion of Eastern and Western sounds that has become characteristic of the Colonial Cousins.The year 1996 was a career milestone; he formed the band Colonial Cousins
Colonial Cousins
Colonial Cousins is a band formed by Indian duo composed of singer Hariharan and singer-composer Leslie Lewis. They also have a largely successful career as solo artists as well. Their unique brand of music fused Indian and Western musical genres instantly won the hearts of young and old alike...
with ghazal singer Hariharan
Hariharan
Hariharan may refer to:* Hariharan , ghazal and playback singer from India* Hariharan , Malayalam film director* Githa Hariharan , Indian author and editor based in New Delhi...
.Their first album, Colonial Cousins
Colonial Cousins (album)
-External links:*...
was a fusion album and was the first Indian act to be featured on MTV Unplugged
MTV Unplugged
MTV Unplugged is a TV series showcasing many popular musical artists usually playing acoustic instruments. The show has received the George Foster Peabody Award and 3 Primetime Emmy nominations among many accolades.-Unplugged:...
. It won a string of awards including the MTV Indian Viewers' Choice award and Billboard Award for the Best Asian Music Group. By this single album, Hariharan established himself as one of the pioneers of Indian fusion music. The next albums by this band were The Way We Do It
The Way We Do It
-External links:...
(1998) and Aatma
Aatma (album)
-External links:*...
(2001) but were fairly noticed. 2009 Tamil film Modhi Vilayadu
Modhi Vilayadu
Modhi Vilayadu is a Tamil language film released on 24 July 2009. It stars Vinay Rai and Kajal Aggarwal in the lead roles. The film opened to mixed reviews with Indiaglitz.com rating it highly while Behindwoods said "The game lacks excitement". The film flopped miserably at the box office.The...
had score and soundtrack composed by Colonial Cousins. They also scored the 2010 Tamil film Chikku Bukku
Chikku Bukku
Chikku Bhukku is a 2010 Tamil romance film written and directed by Manikandan, starring Arya, Shriya Saran and debutante Preetika in the lead roles, with Santhanam and Anoop in supporting roles. The film was released on 3 December 2010. The plot of the movie is based on that of the Korean Movie...
.
Discography
- Colonial CousinsColonial Cousins (album)-External links:*...
(1996) - The Way We Do ItThe Way We Do It-External links:...
(1998) - AatmaAatma (album)-External links:*...
(2001) - Apna Asmaan (2007)
- Modhi VilayaduModhi VilayaduModhi Vilayadu is a Tamil language film released on 24 July 2009. It stars Vinay Rai and Kajal Aggarwal in the lead roles. The film opened to mixed reviews with Indiaglitz.com rating it highly while Behindwoods said "The game lacks excitement". The film flopped miserably at the box office.The...
(2009) - Chikku BukkuChikku BukkuChikku Bhukku is a 2010 Tamil romance film written and directed by Manikandan, starring Arya, Shriya Saran and debutante Preetika in the lead roles, with Santhanam and Anoop in supporting roles. The film was released on 3 December 2010. The plot of the movie is based on that of the Korean Movie...
(2010) - Murder Reloaded (With Dialogue)
- Sanskar - Best Of Bhajans
- MelaMelaMela is a Sanskrit word meaning 'gathering' or 'to meet' or a Fair. It is used in the Indian subcontinent for all sizes of gathering and can be religious, commercial, cultural or sports. In rural traditions melas or village fairs were of great importance...
(2000) - Tauba (1990)
- Baat Nabi Ki Maan
- Bnhaktisudha - Chhay Ganuli Presented by Jaidev
- Karaoke Tracks - Vol. 3
- Karaoke Tracks (Volume-4)
- Varsha Ritu
Awards and achievements
- 1997: MTV Asia Viewer's Choice Award for Colonial CousinsColonial Cousins (album)-External links:*...
- US Billboard Viewer's Choice Award