Kalyanji-Anandji 2.0 and Kishore Kumar: Made for each other

10 November 2024

I had written my first post on Kalyanji-Anandji about ten years ago on their best songs for Mukesh and had titled it “Made for each other”. I used that phrase studiedly because that was my instinctive feeling. Nudging by a reader made me explore their more songs – for Rafi, Other male singers, and Lata Mangeshkar and other female singers in the current year. I now discover that he composed more than twice the songs for Rafi as he did for Mukesh. But I still hold on to “Made for each other” tag for KA-Mukesh. All this discussion was limited to the 50s and 60s.

I had kept the SOY’s mandate to the Hindi film songs from the 30s through the 60s. I didn’t want to dilute that character. (In my theme-based posts however, wherever I considered necessary I have used songs from the 70s and later. I don’t take it as a contradiction.) However, Kalyanji-Anandji’s transformation to 2.0 was unique and very distinct from that of the other stalwarts from the Golden Era. The superstars like Naushad, OP Nayar, Shankar-Jaikishan and C Ramchandra faded away though they might have plodded on for some years beyond the 60s. They couldn’t navigate the choppy waters. Only SD Burman and Khayyam prove to be an exception. KA 2.0 reincarnated themselves with a different style of music and catapulted themselves among the Big Three – the other two being RD Burman and Laxmikant-Pyarelal who had debuted in 1961 and 1963 respectively. Their trajectory was different. RDB was more a post-70s phenomenon. LP were immediately among the tops since their debut and continued with their similar melody and orchestration, and gradual tweaking to remain at the top.

KA 2.0 were a different ball game. Their transformation paralleled Kishore Kumar 2.0 reincarnation post-Aradhana. I have written it in different words earlier. “Kalyanji-Anandji 2.0 and Kishore Kumar: Made for each other” sums up this double transformation and their great tango. I am also including Kishore Kumar’s duet with female singers in this post.

1. Hey re Kanhaiya kisko kahega tu maiya by Kishore Kumar from Chhoti Bahu (1971), lyrics Indivar, music Kalyanji-Anandji

This is a beautiful song on Krishna mythology. One mother gave birth to him and another reared him up. Who would he call Maiya (affectionate way of calling the mother). We all know the answer, the lyricist, composer and the singer have created a great song. Indivar’s lyrics are wonderful.  Look at the lines – Janam diya ho chaahe pala ho kisi ne bhed ye mamta na jaane/ Koi bhi ho jisne diya ho pyar ma ka man to usi ko ma maane.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjGV1pcnD4o

2. Priye praneshwari hridayeshwari yadi aap humein aadesh karein to prem ka hum shri ganesh karein by Kishore Kumar from Hum Tum Aur Wo (1971), lyrics Varma Malik, music Kalyanji-Anandji

Kishore Kumar was always excellent in giving comic touches to a song.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9RMYw6UXu7U

3. Jo tum hansoge to duniya hansegi rooge to na royegi duniya by Kishore Kumar from Kathputli (1971), lyrics Varma Malik, music Kalyanji-Anandji

This song paraphrases Rahim’s couplet Rahiman nij man ki vyatha man hi raakho goye, encapsulating a fundamental philosophy of life. You may share your happiness with others, but don’t share your sorrows. No one would share it, rather the may make fun of  it.

4. Chupke se dil de de nahin te shor much jayega by Kishore Kumar and Lata Mangeshkar from Maryada (1971), lyrics Anand Bakhshi, music Kalyanji-Anandji

I remember I slept through this film, but it had some great songs. Among several popular songs of the film were a Kishore Kumar solo Gussa itna haseen hai  to pyar kaisa hoga, a Rafi-Lata Mangeshkar duet Tu bhi aa ja ki ke aa gayi jawani, and a Mukesh solo, Juban pe dard bhari dastan chali aayi.

5. Hamaare siwa tumhare aur kitne deewane hain by Kishore Kumar from Lata Mangeshkar from Apradh (1972), lyrics Indivar, music Kalyanji-Anandji

Now KA 2.0 and KK 2.0 were finding a natural fit with each other.

6. Nainon mein (?) nindiya hai, maathe pe (?) bindiya hai by Kishore Kumar and Lata Mangeshkar from Joru Ka Ghulam (1972), lyrics Anand Bakhshi, music Kalyanji-Anandji

This question-answer in staccato phrases have been tried with success earlier by different composers. Since nain, matha (and baal, and aankh) are already occupied by different objects, the man is perplexed and asks the woman herself where he would reside.

7. Tu na mili to hum jogi ban jayenge by Kishore Kumar from Victoria Number 203 (1972), lyrics Indivar, music Kalyanji-Anandji

We have seen in Jogi, Bhogi or Dhongi that often jogis are pure charlatans. Or more likely, heroes in disguise expressing their love in a comic manner.

8. Pal pal dil ke paas tum rahti ho by Kishore Kumar from Blackmail (1973), lyrics Rajendra Krishna, music Kalyanji-Anandji

Another superhit Kishore Kumar solo in the film was Sharbati teri aankhon ki jheel si gehrai mein. Pal pal dil ke paas tum rahti ho appeals to many serious music lovers.

9. Agar dil hamara sheesha ke badle patthar ka hota by Kishore Kumar from Ek Kunwari Ek Kunwara (1973), lyrics Prakash Mehta, music Kalyanji-Anandji

Rakesh Roshan is bitter with the woman for her betrayal, and starts with a sarcastic recital – Dil todnewalon ki mehfil mein aa gaya hun/ Kaise duaayein dun, main badi mushqil mein aa gaya hun. Then he starts singing: Had this heart been made of stone, it would not have broken.

10. Rafta rafta dekho aankh meri ladi hai by Kishore Kumar and Usha Timothy from Kahani Kismat Ki (1973), lyrics Rajendra Krishna, music Kalyanji-Anandji

A superhit song of its time with appropriate light-hearted lyrics and dance. We don’t get to hear Usha Timothy often. KA had used her earlier in Himalay Ki Gode Mein (1965) in the song Haye soniye, heeriye..Tu raat khadi thi chhat pe.

11. Peenewalon ko peene ka bahana chahiye by Kishore Kumar and Hema Malini from Haath Ki Safai (1974), lyrics Gulshan Bawra, music Kalyanji-Anndji

Kishore Kumar does a perfect job to sing for a drunk person. Hema Malini is a perfect foil.

12. Hum bolega to bologe ki bolta hai by Kishore Kumar from Kasauti (1974), lyrics Verma Malik, music Kalyanji-Anandji

Pran acts a comic Gorkha. Kalyanji-Anandji create a perfect song for the situation rendered equally nicely by Kishore Kumar.

13. Mera jeevan kora kagaz kora hi rah gaya by Kishore Kumar from Kora Kagaz (1974), lyrics MG Hashmat, music Klayanji-Anandji

Composing such poignant songs in the voice of now Kishore Kumar was a routine thing for Kalyanji-Anandji.

14. Khai ke paan Banaraswala by Kishore Kumar from Don (1978), lyrics Anjaan, music Kalyanji-Anandji

Don was a landmark film in the career of the Big B. Once you get a project like this you have to have the talent for composing great songs, each befitting the situation. Amitabh Bachchan was now a supermarket for everything – comic, romantic, angry young man and his voice was generally Kishore Kumar. The film also had Kishore Kumar’s Ei hai Bambai nagariya tu dekh babua and the title song Arey deewanon, mujhe pahchaano, (and not to forget Asha Bhosle’s Ye mera dil pyar ka deewana). Nothing illustrates Kalyanji-Anandji’s complete transformation better than Don.

15. Salaam-e-ishq meri jaan qabool kar lo by Lata Mangeshkar and Kishore Kumar from Muqaddar Ka Sikandar  (1978), lyrics Prakash Mehra, music Kalyanji-Anandji

In duets I have started the practice of mentioning the singer who comes first. This song impacts us more as a Lata Mangeshkar solo. A musical blockbuster. Another song from the movie Rote huye aate hain sab is posted next. There are at least two more superhit songs: A Kishore Kumar/ Asha Bhosle twin version song O saathi re tere bina bhi kya jeena, Lata Mangeshkar’s Dil to hai dil, dil ka aitbaar kya keeje, and a Mahendra Kapoor-Lata Mangeshkar-Asha Bhosle triplet song Pyar zindagi hai.

16. Rote huye aate hain sab hansta hua jayega by Kishore Kumar from Muqaddar Ka Sikandar (1978), lyrics Anjaan, music Kalyanji-Anandji

I conclude this post with another superhit song from the movie. This is the happy version of the song. The sad version is in Rafi’s voice.

Acknowledgement and Disclaimer
The song links have been embedded from the YouTube only for the listening pleasure of music lovers. This blog has no commercial interest. It claims no copyright over these songs which vests with the original rights owners.

{ 18 comments… read them below or add one }

1 Dr. Rajesh Deshpande November 10, 2024 at 11:42 am

Wow! This is great!
KA transformation and KK 2.0 were indeed made for each other and they truly deserved a full post, irrespective of the blog timeline.
Wondering of this is the first post with all songs from the 70s.
For someone like me who grew up in the 70s, this is an enjoyable trip down the memory lane on Sunday morning!!

For song #5, the picturization and the song do not match. The song is from Apradh and picturization is from Dharmatma. The person uploading has titled it Jugaad Gane.
I couldn’t locate the correct and full video of this song

Interestingly, the video of the other duet Tum mile pyar se is available but not of Humare siva tumahre
Posting the song Tum Mile Pyar se
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F3Xqx8ZisAM

2 Dr. Rajesh Deshpande November 10, 2024 at 11:53 am

Another Feroz Khan – KA – KK – Indivar song – Dharmatma 1975
Tere chehre mein wo jaadu hai
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zuHsssMfKIQ

And the last one by the same team in Janbaaz 1986
Tera saath hai kitna pyara (with Sapna Mukherji)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6wCVgomQhyQ

3 Dr. Rajesh Deshpande November 10, 2024 at 12:04 pm

Some other favorites:

Main pyasa tum sawan – Faraar 1975 ( has duet and solo versions)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G-pQ9NasGw0

Samjhauta ghamon se karlo – Samjhauta 1973 (female version by Lata)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=91mA7GA6mIk

Apne jeevan ki uljhan ko – Uljhan 1975 (A Lata version too)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cMvGNkuVpXg

4 Dr. Rajesh Deshpande November 10, 2024 at 12:18 pm

The combo had few popular songs in early 80s..

This is one of my favorites, though the song deserved another hero.
Neele neele ambar par – Kalakaar 1983
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ujl0rhUICGg

Apni to jaise taise thodi aise ya – Laawaris 1981
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-b2dfPU_tCY

Ye vaada karo na rooage tum – Haadsaa 1983 (with Asha)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uLQ-SXvzaYI

Ga ga ga gaaye ja – Professor Pyarelal 1981 (with Manhar)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rcgY_pHG7sE

And Saat Sahelyan Khadi khadi – Vidhata 1982
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IbvmoBZlt9U

5 Sameer November 10, 2024 at 6:59 pm

There are many beautiful KA 2.0 and KK 2.0 songs post 60s.  The song “Arre Oh Re Dharti Ki Tarah” from Suhag Raat, although from 1968 fits in this category. There are many songs from Sachcha Jutha, Kora Kagaz, Johny Mera Nam that were super hits during their time.

6 Anita November 10, 2024 at 8:25 pm

AK ji, from the 70 s onwards, I feel it is very difficult to distinguish between LP and KA.
Here is a song from Ghar Ghar Ki Kahaani
Sama Hai Suhana –
This is the link of a stage how with KA also on stage.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tmTv5oUscvQ

7 AK November 10, 2024 at 9:00 pm

Dr Deshpande @1,
I know your expertise in songs from post-1970s. My barrier still remains. But this post happened organically. Otherwise we miss a lot of Kishore Kumar and consequently Kalyanji-Anandji’s stratospheric songs for Kishore Kumar.

Interesting caption Jugaad gaane. But thanks to your perceptive eyes we have another great KA-KK 2.0 song, Tum mile pyar se.

@2,
Tere chere min wo jadu hai is an excellent ‘new’ song for us and ‘old’ song for youngsters. I believe you are an in-between generation.

@3,
The first three songs were superhits in their time.

@4,
All the songs except the third song consolidate KA-KK 2.0 connection.

8 AK November 10, 2024 at 9:08 pm

Sameer @5,
You are absolutely right. I have divided Kalyanji-Anandji 1.0 and 2.0 by the period. In KA 1.0 Kishore Kumar was among their ‘other’ male singers. You may like go through this post about their first part.

9 AK November 10, 2024 at 9:13 pm

Anita @6,
LP-KA-RDB were all creating great music post-70s. LP were noticeable because of their loyalty to Rafi. They could not ignore Kishore Kumar because he was the flavour of the season. For Kalyanji-Anandji post-70s was also an era of transformation in musical style. Hence the title of this post.

Thanks for posting the video of stage performance of Sama, hai suhana suhana. It is my great favourite. Kishore Kumar was a natural stage performer. Kalyanji-Anandji were not so. But together they create magic.

10 Dr Pradeep K Shetty November 10, 2024 at 11:01 pm

Muni jano bhakt jano…

AANSOO AUR MUSKAN.

Jitna jaroori man ka milan
Utna hi jaroori tan ka milan…
KASHMAKASH.

Jab se sarkar ne nashabandi tod di

5 RIFLES.

Khoon pasine ki jo milegi toh khayenge
.
KHOON PASINA.

Apne toh jaise taise..
LAWARIS.

Not necessarily favourite, but popular in their time, some like the last one even now.

11 Sivanandam November 11, 2024 at 12:02 pm

AK Ji
Nice one on K-A 2.0 ; no doubt they maintained the melody in the 70’s & 80’s despite the change in style. However for me 1.0 is always better!
It just struck me that for most of the stalwarts, around 20 years seem to be the creative period-a rough estimate..of course exceptions could be there. So if we consider Naushad , CR , OPN , S-J starting off from early /mid /late 40’s till around end 60’s / early 70’s, they were good. The same logic seems to apply to K-A starting off in early 60 till 80’s. The creative spark has to taper off after few years. In case of S-J the number of hits in 50’s & 60’s in terms of both quality and quantity was unmatched by anyone , with most film in 60’s having multiple super hits…
Dr Deshpande mentioned in #4 about Nile Nile Amber Par–nice song and yes definitely deserved a better picturization. I do not know how many know that it was a remake of a Tamil film Payanangal Mudivathilai ( Journey doesn’t end)..the song was also copied from the same film with Ilayaraja’s (IR) super hit ” Ilaya Nila Pozhigirathey” sung by SPB. If you aks any Tamil film music fan , this song would appear in top 5 of IR & SPB career best songs. The excellent guitar in the original was something KA couldnt replicate. Especially listen to the end of the song .
There is an interesting cross -copying between K-A & IR..Way back in 1984 , IR copied the famous song Kasme Vade Pyar Wafa of Upkar into a Tamil film that was sung by K J Yesudas. I am providing links to both the songs just in case anyone interested…
Original of Nile Nile amber….
1) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AsN_9uXAoNE
Copy of Kasme Vade Pyar wafa….
2) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E-JhtdNO7vQ

12 Dr Pradeep K Shetty November 11, 2024 at 1:01 pm

KA had a very strong professional association with Manoj Kumar, Prakash Mehra, Firoz Khan , Subhash Ghai etc. which resulted in Super hit music in several commercially successful movies. They vibed well with almost all industry members. Kalyanji bhai was known for his sense of humour and Anandji Bhai was a very obedient younger brother.

13 Rahul Bhagwanrao Muli November 11, 2024 at 1:16 pm

AK ji
My generation began taking note of HFM in early seventies, as such I feel like playing on a home pitch.
Barring few exceptions like kora Kagaz, KA 2.0 list is dominated by action movies. This may be because most of the producer- directors favoring KA ( Prakash Mehra, Brij, Arjun Hingorani, Feroz Khan) specialized in that genre. Naturally, KK, KA-2.0 songs show the effect of this fact. Yet within these limitations, KA composed some outstanding ” serious” songs for KK in post seventies.
Dr Rajesh ji has mentioned one of my favourites ” Main pyaasa tum sawan” from Farar. For some unknown reasons, till very recently I believed that this song was composed by SDB.
Safar was a movie in which there were two poingnant compositions rendered by KK
Zindagi ka safar – Indeevar
https://youtu.be/9XOnMlK5WBY?si=vososdbvUCk9EVXd
Jeevan se bhari – Indeevar
https://youtu.be/v_nkcw1mD_8?si=x6IcgZgcO_zo_n-C
And here is a little known gem from Do Anjaane
Luk chhip luk chiip – Anjaan
https://youtu.be/kGmucOvkCNg?si=Ou03RTTfTVeHUuoy
Both Amitabh and KK have excelled in bringing out the love of the estranged father.

14 KB November 11, 2024 at 1:17 pm

Dear Sirs,
While going through the details we could find that Kishore started with KA during the mid sixties with films like TEEN BAHURANIYAN and SUHAAG RAAT and he could get one song in each of these movies. Later with Rajesh Khanna emerging KA started his songs with Kishore and later extended to other stars like Shashi Kapoor, Amitabh , Jeetendra and so on successfully and during the seventies they use Kishore successfully in almost every film and were second only to RDB. This went on until Kishore’s death and KA brought out excellent songs rendered by Kishore for many actors of the time.

15 AK November 11, 2024 at 5:39 pm

Dr Shetty @10,
Gunijanon re bhaktjano from Aansoo Aur Muskan belongs to 1970. It is my favourite song for many reasons. One is, Kishore Kumar embeds a parody of Pankaj Mullick’s Sundar nari preetam pyari out of nothing. I have included it in Kalyanji-Anandji 1.0’s other male singers. Apni to jaise taise was a roaring hit. Other songs I will have to check up and should have been added. But there were unending stream of songs and ‘Made for each other’ seemed an appropriate title.

@12,
But besides personal friendship, they had something special which showed in their super success.

16 AK November 11, 2024 at 7:59 pm

Sivanandamji @11,
Thanks a lot for providing the Tamil original of Neele neele ambar par, and Tamil adaptation of Kasme vade pyar wafa sab. In Neele neele ambar par, hero is an obvious drawback, the guitar interlude is faster than IR’s and that also makes a difference. Thanks a lot again.

17 AK November 11, 2024 at 9:22 pm

Mr Muli @13,
Thanks a lot for your comments. Luk chhip luk chhip has all the qualities you have mentioned in the son. I am starting to look at KA-KK with a new respect.

18 AK November 11, 2024 at 9:23 pm

KB @14,
You have given an excellent review of the journey of Kishore Kumar with Rafi.

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