Kalyanji-Anandji were extremely melodious composers. But in a crowded field at the top comprising Naushad, SD Burman, Shankar-Jaikishan, OP Nayyar, Roshan, Madan Mohan, etc. they were not among the elite at the High Table. But 70s onwards the gods were kind to them. Kalyanji-Anandji showed amazing talent to adapt themselves to the new voices (read Kishore Kumar and Asha Bhosle) and new kind of music. They were undisputedly part of the Big Troika with RD Burman and Laxmikant-Pyarelal.
Thus any assessment of Kalyanji-Anandji would be incomplete without a spotlight on their music in the second phase. Just recall movies like Maryada, Victoria Number 2023, Blackmail, Zanjeer, Five Rifles, Haath Ki Safaai, Kora Kagaz, Dharmatma, Rafoo Chakkar, Bairag, Don, Muqadar Ka Sikandra, Qurbani, Laawaris, Vidhata, Tridev – sounds like a superhit parade of 70s and 80s. While the stalwarts of the earlier era were on the decline. KA-I smoothly reincarnated themselves as KA-II. SOY’s primary focus is on 50s and 60s. I have to leave KA-II for some other worthy person or to a later time.
KA-I’s best songs for Mukesh, Rafi and ‘Other’ Male Singers are already covered on the blog. And you would have realised he composed some of the best songs for most of the male singers. Do they show similar diversity with female singers? They created many memorable songs for Lata Mangeshkar naturally, but to my mind they have not composed great solos for ‘other’ female singers. Today Lata Mangeshkar would have been 95 years old. I pay my tribute to her with KA-I’s best songs for her. This also concludes my series of articles as a tribute to KA-I. Since my earlier articles on male singers by KA-I also included their duets, this one also includes Lata Mangeshkar’s duets with ‘other’ female singers, and songs of other female singers which achieved some popularity.
1. Mujhe dekh chaand sharmaye by Lata Mangeshkar from Samrat Chandragupta (1958), lyrics Nirupa Roy (?), music Kalyanji Virji Shah
From his debut film itself the elder brother Kalyanji working solo showed his immense talent. And surprising part is the lyricist for this song was Nirupa Roy who was also the lead actress. A superb dance song in a royal court in the melodious voice of Lata Mangeshkar.
(Note: Question mark about the lyricist because some sites mention Indivar, some others Bharat Vyas as the lyricist. Our respected N Venkataraman in his comments on my post on KA’s best songs for Rafi mentioned that there was a ‘faux pas’ in the record of the song (N52547) as it mentioned Nirupa Roy as the lyricist whereas Indivar wrote the song. This set me to enquire further. The film credit titles mentions Nirupa Roy as one of the song writers along with three others. HFGK credits the songs to lyricists separately. ‘Mujhe dekh chaand sharmaye’ has been credited to Nirupa Roy.
I discussed this with another knowledgeable friend. Venkataramanji came back with some awe-inspiring research to corroborate his earlier comments. But this still leaves my doubts unresolved. If we don’t accept her as the lyricist, how do we determine who among the other three wrote the song? And since the film’s credit titles mentions her name among the song writers, which one she wrote if not this? All this is resolved if we simply go by what is officially credited to her.)
2. Majboor ho ke teri…Qaid mein hai bulbul saiyyad muskuraye by Lata Mangeshkar from Bedard Zamana Kya Jaane (1959), lyrics (?). music Kalyanji Virji Shah
Question mark about the lyricist because Bharat Vyas is the lyricist of the film, but for this song some sites mention Indivar as the lyricist. A little sad song because the lady is held in captivity.
3. Koi kahe rasiya, koi manbasiya, main piya chitchor kahun ya chhaliya re by Lata Mangeshkar from Madari (1959), lyrics Pt. Madhur, music Kalyanji-Anandji
The test of a music director is how he performs in a B-grade movie. By now the brothers had formed a duo. In this Ranjan-Chitra-starrer they composed the eternal Mukesh-Lata Mangeshkar duet Dil lootnewale jadugar ab maine tujhe pehachana hai. And equally delightful is this Lata Mangeshkar solo.
4. Akeli mohe chhod na jana, ho mera dil tod na jana by Lata Mangeshkar and Kamal Barot from Madari (1959), lyrics Farooq Kaiser, music Kalyanji-Anandji
In the same film now Lata Mangeshkar combines with Kamal Barot to sing this frothy dance duet song in a royal court. Kamal Barot always added a tangy flavour to such songs. The song starts with KA’s been tune for which KA had become famous as Hemant Kumar’s assistant for the been tune in Nagin (1954).
5. Ho baaje payal chham chham hoke beqaraar by Lata Mangeshkar & othrs from Chhalia (1960), lyrics Qamar Jalalabadi, music Kalyanji-Anandji
In some light-hearted comedies Nutan – not famous for beauty – was quite an eye-candy. She looks quite beautiful in this joyous song, picturised on a cart carrying straw.
This song seems to be a clear copy of Ron Goodwin’s tune Desert Hero from the album An Arabian Night.
6. Teri raahon mein khade hain dil thaam ke haye, hum hain deewane tere naam ke by Lata Mangeshkar from Chhalia (1960), lyrics Qamar Jalalabadi, music Kalyanji-Anandji
Our films mirror life. Therefore, happy songs have to be followed by sad songs, until everything is sorted out in the end. A nice poignant song.
7. Badli hai zamane ki nazar dekhiye kya ho by Lata Mangeshkar from Majboor (1964), lyrics Anand Bakshi, music Kalyanji-Anandji
Another poignant song by Lata Mangeshkar. Biswahjeet, who feels unfairly accused, is furiously taking out his angst on the keyboard of the piano.
8. Ek tu jo mila saari duniya mili, khila jo era dil saari bagiya khili by Lata Mangeshkar from Himalay Ki Gode Mein (1965), lyrics Indivar, music Kalyanji-Anandji
Now this chirpy song from Kalyanji-Anandji’s first superhit film, Himalay Ki Gode Mein. This song has a sad version, too.
9. Ye saman saman hai ye pyar ka by Lata Mangeshkar from Jab Jab Phool Khile (1965), lyrics Anand Bakhshi, music Kalyanji-Anandji
JJPK was another superhit film. Here the class difference between the two protagonists was reversed. An excellent song.
10. Aaj hai do October ka din, aaj ka din hai bada mahaan by Lata Mangeshkar & chorus from Parivar (1967), lyrics Gulshan Bawra, music Kalyanji-Anandji
This was the period of Lal Bahadur Shastri’s popularity. His slogan Jai Jawan Jai Kisan caught the imagination of the nation. Coincidentally, his birthday was October 2, therefore, in this school function song on the occasion, this song pays tribute to both.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4U17HBk5u3Y
11. Har khushi ho jahan tu jahan bhi rahe, zindagi ho wahan by Lata Mangeshkar from Upkar (1967), lyrics Gulshan Bawra, music Kalyanji-Anandji
The kisan and jawan Manoj Kumar as POW is being tortured by the enemy, and in synch the lover Asha Parekh sings this sad song. This film set KA on a high trajectory.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GXkdga-fzcI
12. Main to bhool chali babul ka des by Lata Mangeshkar from Saraswatichandra (1968), lyrics Indivar, music Kalyanji-Anandji
In this film based on a Gujarati novel, Nutan dances garba dance with her sahelis.
13. Humre aangan bagiya, bagiya mein do panchhi by Usha Mangeshkar, Asha Bhosle and Lata Mangeshkar from Teen Bahuraniyan (1968), lyrics Anand Bakhshi, music Kalyanji-Anandji
This traditional family drama from South had three daughters-in-law living in harmony in a joint family. A nice song picturised on the three bahus. You don’t often get the three Mangeshkar sisters singing together.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pj7ZFcNMdJ4
‘Other Female singers’
14. Dilli ke bazaar ki balma sair kara de by Asha Bhosle from Teen Bahuraniyan (1968), lyrics Anand Bakhshi, music Kalyanji-Anandji
From Teen Bahuraniyan you have this nice song by the most famous ‘other’ singer.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ENYTZsqbQEc
15. Chali chali kaisi hawa ye chali, ki bhanwre pe marne lagi hai kali by Shamshad Begum and Usha Mangeshkar from Bluff Master (1963), lyrics Rajendra Krishna, music Kalyanji-Anandji
In this all female qawwali Shamshad Begum sings for Shammi Kapoor (in drag) and Usha Mangeshkar for Saira Bano. A thoroughly enjoyable song.
16. Wafaon ka aalam mitne laga hai..Main to ho gayi re badnaam by Mubarak Begum and Kamal Barot from Sunehri Nagin (1963), lyrics Vedpal, music Kalyanji-Anandji
It seems KA took a B-grade film as a challenge. Among several excellent songs in the film, this tangy dance duet by Mubarak Begum and Kamal Barot is a teat to waych.
17. Vaada humse kiya, dil kisi ko diya by Mubarak Begum from Saraswatichandra (1968), lyrics Indivar, music Kalyanji-Anandji
The dutiful wife waits with the thali for her husband, but the man is enjoying this mujra. This irony has been shown in many films. This song would make your creative juices overflow in the year dominated by general elections, some unexpected results, and electoral promises.
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 and claims no copyright over these songs which vests in the respective owners.
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