Kalyanji-Anandji | |
|---|---|
 Kalyanji (left) - Anandji (right) | |
| Background information | |
| Genres | Film score |
| Occupations | Composer, music director,orchestrator, conductor |
| Years active | 1954–1994 |
| Past members | |
Kalyanji–Anandji were an Indian composer duo, consisting ofKalyanji Virji Shah (30 June 1928 – 24 August 2000) and his brotherAnandji Virji Shah (born 2 March 1933). In a career spanning over 40 years, they composed music for about 250 films, working with many well-known filmmakers and singers.[1][2]
Kalyanji and Anandji were children of aKutchi businessman who migrated fromKundrodi village inKutch to 'Bombay' (nowMumbai) to start a grocery and provision store. Their younger brother and his wife are the husband and wife duoBabla & Kanchan. The brothers began to learn music from a music teacher, who taught them in lieu of paying his bills to their father. One of their great-grandparents was a folk musician of some eminence. They spent most of their formative years in theMumbai locality ofGirgaum amidstMarathi andGujarati environs and among some eminent musical talent that resided in the vicinity.
Kalyanji started his career as a musician, with a new electronic instrument called theclavioline. which was used for the famous "Nagin Been," used in the filmNagin (1954) which had the music ofHemant Kumar.[2][3] Kalyanji then, with his brother Anandji, started an orchestral group called Kalyanji Virji and Party which organised musical shows in Mumbai and outside. This was the first attempt made for holding live musical shows in India.
Kalyanji Anandji's arrival in the Bombay film industry as music composers was a turning point. When big music directors likeS. D. Burman,Hemant Kumar,Madan Mohan,Naushad,Shankar–Jaikishan andO. P. Nayyar were ruling the Hindi film music world and it was a golden period of film music, it was very tough to make a place amongst them. They still managed to attain success amongst the competition.
Kalyanji-Anandji began their career in the 1950s with films, such asMaha Puja (1954),Bajrangbali (1956),Satta Bazaar (1959), but all of them went unnoticed. They gained recognition in the year 1960 withRaj Kapoor starrerChhalia andDharmendra's debut filmDil Bhi Tera Hum Bhi Tere. While the former did well commercially,Dil Bhi Tera Hum Bhi Tere was not a success, but songs from both the films like "Dum Dum Diga Diga" and "Mujhko Is Raat Ki Tanhai Mein" proved to be hits.[4][5]
In the early-1960s, they continued to deliver music for moderately successful films likeBluff Master (1963),Phool Bane Angaare (1963),Dulha Dulhan (1964) and finally established themselves in 1965 with a number of successful films, out of which, Suraj Prakash'sJab Jab Phool Khile andVijay Bhatt'sHimalay Ki God Mein were major blockbusters and had many chartbusters like "Affoo Khudaya", "Ek Tha Gul Aur Ek Thi Bulbul" and "Ye Samaa Samaa Hai Pyar Ka" (Jab Jab Phool Khile), "Chand Si Mehbooba Ho Meri" and "Main To Ek Khwab Hoon" (Himalay Ki God Mein).[6][7] The music ofJab Jab Phool Khile also proved to be the fourth best-selling album of the 1960s.[8]
Their successes count continued to increase in the late-1960s with films, such asUpkar (1967),Saraswatichandra (1968),Haseena Maan Jayegi andBandhan (1969). All of them proved to be huge box office hits, especiallyUpkar which was anAll Time Blockbuster with its soundtrack album being the sixth best-selling album of the decade and songs that remain popular till date like "Mere Desh Ki Dharti", "Kasme Waade Pyar Wafa" and "Aayi Jhoomke Basant".[9] For Govind Saraiya'sSaraswatichandra, Kalyanji-Anandji wonNational Film Award for Best Music Direction. It's songs, "Main To Bhool Chali Babul Ka Des", a solo byLata Mangeshkar and "Phool Tumhe Bheja Hai Khat Mein", a duet by Mangeshkar andMukesh received acclaim from critics as well as the audience.[10][11]
The year 1970 proved to be a milestone in Kalyanji-Anandji's career as they composed for eight hugely successful films, which were -Johny Mera Naam,Gopi,Safar,Purab Aur Pachhim,Ghar Ghar Ki Kahani,Geet,Sachaa Jhutha andKab? Kyoon? Aur Kahan?.[12] The memorable songs from these films, include "O Mere Raja, "Pal Bhar Ke Liye", "Ramchandra Keh Gaye", "Sukh Ke Sab Saathi", "Nadiya Chale Chale Re", "Zindagi Ka Safar", "Bharat Ka Rehnewala Hoon", "Om Jai Jagdish Hare", "Jai Nandlala, Jai Jai Gopala" and "Sama Hai Suhana Suhana", "Jo Dil Mein Basai Thi", "Mere Mitwa Mere Meet Re", "Meri Pyari Bahaniya, Yun Hi Tum Mujhse Baat Karti Ho, Ya Koi Pyar Ka Iraada Hai", "Dil To Dil Hai Kisi Din Machal Jaayega" and "Yeh Aankhen Jhuki Jhuki Si, Yeh Saansen Ruki Ruki Si".[13] The albums ofJohny Mera Naam,Sachaa Jhutha andSafar were the third, eighteenth and twenty-third best-selling Hindi albums of the 1970s, respectively.[14] They continued their winning streak in 1971 and 1972 with superhits likeMaryada (1971),Apradh (1972) andVictoria No. 203 (1972), all of which had notable songs, such as "Chupke Se Dil De De" and "Zuban Pe Dard Bhari Dastaan Chali Aayi" (Maryada), "Tu Na Mili To Hum Jogi Ban Jayenge" ams "Do Bechaare Bina Sahaare" (Victoria No. 203), "Hamaare Siwa Tumhaare Aur Kitne Deewane Hain", "Ae Naujawan, Hai Sab Kuch Yahan" (Apradh).[15][16]
With this, Kalyanji-Anandji established themselves as one of the three leading music directors of the era alongsideLaxmikant-Pyarelal andR. D. Burman.[17]
On 24 August 2000, Kalyanji passed away at the age of 72 inMumbai. He was admitted at the Breach Candy Hospital following a prolonged illness, specifically suffering from acute asthma.[1][2]
The duo composed 270 songs forKishore Kumar. Their superhit songs with Kishore Kumar included all-time hit "Zindagi Ka Safar" fromSafar (1970), "O Saathi Re" fromMuqaddar Ka Sikandar (1978), "Mera Jeevan Kora Kagaz" fromKora Kagaz (1974), "Jeevan Se Bhari Teri Aankhein" fromSafar (1970), "Pal Pal Dil Ke Paas" fromBlackmail (1974), "Neele Neele Ambar Par " fromKalakaar (1985), "Samjhauta Gamon Se Kar Lo" fromSamjhauta (1973), "Apne Jeevan Ki Uljhan Ko" fromUljhan (1975) and the chart busterqawwali "Qurbani Qurbani Qurbani" fromQurbani (1980).[2][18]
The composers composed some popular songs rendered byKishore Kumar such as "Jeevan Se Bhari Teri Aankhe", "Zindagi Ka Safar", "Pal Pal Dilke Paas", "Neele Neele Ambar Par". Their composition called "Pal Bharke Liye" was used in an episode ofThe Simpsons. Remixed version of the song "Apni Toh Jaise Taise," originally from the 1981 filmLaawaris was used in 2010 Bollywood filmHousefull. The Calcutta High Court restrained producer Sajid Nadiadwala from the cinematic use of the song.[19]
The duo composed many songs for Mohammed Rafi. At their initial stage as music director, Mohd Rafi was their first choice of singer.[2] They made numerous popular song with him. All songs ofJab Jab Phool Khile were a huge hit and catapulted them to fame and there was no looking back after that. BesidesJab Jab Phool Khile, there were many popular songs with Mohammed Rafi from films likeQurbani ("Kya Dekhte Ho"),Bluff Master ("Govinda Ala Re Ala"),Raaz ( Akele Hain Chale Aao),Sacha Jhutha (Yuhi Tum Mujhse Baat Karti Hoo),Maryada (Tum Bhi Aja Ke),Haat Ki Safai (Vadaa Karle Sajna), Gopi ("Sukh Ki Hain Saab Sathie"),Qatilon Ka Qatil ( "Yeh To Allah Ko Khabar" & "Oh Mere Chorni"),Geet ("Aja Tujh Ko Pukarein Mere Geet") &Bairaag ("Sare Shaher Mein App Sa") to name a few of the popular songs. In the film,Muqaddar Ka Sikandar, where most of the songs were sung byKishore Kumar, they used Mohammed Rafi to sing Kishore Kumar "Rote Hua Aate Saab" some lines on the sad version of the song. The collaboration of Kalyanji & Anandji withMohammed Rafi created everlasting songs in a unique style. According to them, Rafi could sing every kind of song.[2]
The duo composed 326 songs for Lata Mangeshkar in their career (24 under the name Kalyanji Veerji Shah and 302 under the name Kalyanji–Anandji), the 4th highest number songs composed by any composer for Lataji's career afterLaxmikant-Pyarelal (712),Shankar–Jaikishan (453) andRahul Dev Burman (331). Their association with the singer goes back to 1954, when Kalyanji played the famous 'been' tune in Lata Mangeshkar's numbers like "Man Dole Mera Tan Dole" in the movieNagin (1954).[2] Lata's influence on their music in the initial years can be gauged from the fact that in their first musical score Samrat Chandragupt (1958), Lataji was the only female playback singer, having sung 8 out of 8 numbers in the movie. However, since 1979, they started using Lata Mangeshkar's voice very sparingly, even though they kept on offering songs to other senior singers likeKishore Kumar andAsha Bhosle. Since the 1980s, Lata's voice could only be heard in their scores likeBombay 405 Miles (1980),Katilon Ke Kaatil (1981),Khoon Ka Rishtaa (1981),Log Kya Kahenge (1982),Raaj Mahal (1982),Vidhaata (1982),Yudh (1985),Pighalta Aasman (1985),Mangal Dada (1986),Kalyug Aur Ramayan (1987),Desh Drohi (1988),Galiyon Ka Baadshah (1989) andUlfat Ki Nayee Manzilen (1994). Among these,Kalyug Aur Ramayan andUlfat Ki Nayee Manzilenhad been in the making since long, especially the second one which was in the making since 1966, its music having been released in 1968 itself.
Some of her evergreen songs include the immortal "Salaam-e-ishq Meri Jaan" fromMuqaddar Ka Sikander (1978), "Jiska Mujhe Tha Intezaar" fromDon (1978), "Kabhi Raat Din Hum Door Thay" from Aamne Saamne (1967), "Yeh Saman" fromJab Jab Phool Khile (1965), "Humare Siva Tumhare Aur Kitne Deewane" fromApradh (1972), Lata's national award-winning song "Roothe Roothe Piya" fromKora Kagaz (1974), "Main Pyaasa Tum saawan' fromFaraar (1975), "Hum Thay Jinke Sahare" fromSafar (1970), "Ja Re Ja O Harjaee" fromKalicharan (1976), "Thoda Sa Thehro" fromVictoria No. 203 (1973).[1]
The duo composed 297 songs for Asha as well. Their well known songs with Asha is led by all-time hit "Yeh Mera Dil" fromDon (1978). It earned Asha's 7th and last Filmfare Award as best singer. It was copied by world's leading bandBlack Eyed Peas in 1990 and their song earnedGrammy Award. Their other hits with Asha includes "Kya Dekhte Ho" fromQurbani (1978), "Aaiye Aapka Tha Hamein Intzar" (Mahal-1969), "Husn Ke Laakhon Rang" (Johny mera naam-1970), "O Saathi Re" fromMuqaddar Ka Sikandar (1978).[2]
The duo composed the great numberKasme Vaade Pyar Wafa Ke in Manna Dey's voice inUpkar (1968) and the chart buster qawwali "Yari Hai Imman Mera Yaar Meri Zindagi" fromZanjeer ( 1973).[1][2]
The duo composed many heart touching melodies in the voice of Mukesh like "Chand Si Mehbooba", "Hum Chod Chale Hain Mehfeil", "Koi Jab Tumhara Hriday Tod De", "Kya Khoob Lagthi Ho", "Jo Tumko Ho Pasand Wohi Baat Kahenge".
They also composed many memorable songs for Mahendra Kapoor, "Mere Desh Ki Dharti" in Upkaar, and the unique song "Ek Tara Bole", "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star" inPurab Aur Pacham and "O Shanker Mere" fromBairaag. Kapoor has been the preferred playback singer of Kalyanji Anandji giving numerous hit songs.
