An Article About Kalyanji Options

[Jay]

KALYANJI

Well-known Hindi film music director Kalyanji Virji Shah of the famous duo Kalyanji-Anandji ruled the Hindi film world for over three decades along with Shankar-Jaikishan and Laxmikant Pyarelal. Kalyanji-Anandji enthralled the music lovers with their lilting melodies and became very popular with the masses.

Born in 1928 Kalyanji displayed a flair for music from his early childhood. Kalyanji, an accomplished been player came into limelight with Filmistan’s, "Nagin". He created the sinuous snake music for the film on a new instrument claviolin under the music-direction of Hemant Kumar. The film became very popular. Kalyanji started as a solo composer with Subhash Desai’s, "Samrat Chandragupta". He then teamed up with his brother Anandji for "Satta Bazaar". But their first success came with "Chhalia" whose songs "Dum Dum Diga Diga" and "Chhalia Mera Naam" became very popular establishing their team firmly in the film industry.

In their career spanning three decades the duo composed music for over 250 Hindi and five Gujarati films. Some of their notable film are :- "Satta Bazaar"; "Chhalia"; "Bluff Master"; "Upkaar"; "Hasina Maan Jayegi"; "Saraswati Chandra"; "Bandhan"; "Johny Mera Naam"; "Sachcha Jhootha"; "Zanjeer"; "Safar"; "Muqaddar Ka Sikander"; "Qurbani"; "Sultanat"; "Kora Kagaz"; and "Tridev".

Kalyanji’s compositions appealed to both the connoisseurs and the masses alike. His hits included "Chandan sa badan"; "Chandi ki deewar na todi"; "Yuhin tum mujhse baat karti ho"; "Main to ek khwab hoon"; "Khaike paan Banaraswala"; "Laila main laila"; "Chand ahen bharega"; "Kankariya maar ke jugaya"; "Jeevan se bhari teri aankhen"; "Chhod den saari dumiya kisi ke liye"; "Darpan ko dekha"; "Dil ko dekho chehra na dekho"; "Ek tha gul aur ek thi bulbul"; "Ek tu jo mila"; "Humne tujko pyar kiya hai jitna" and "Mere angne main".

Kalyanji, widely regarded as the driving force behind the duo, steered clear of the influence of western music. Most of his tunes were original classical Indian melodies with a touch of folk music. His tunes in "Saraswati Chandra" were a rage and fetched him the national award for music in 1968.

A versatile team, the duo composed all kinds of music with singers as varied as Mukesh on one side and Kishore Kumar on the other. They were equally at case with Muhammed Rafi and Talat Mehmod and Lata Mangeshkar and Asha Bhosale.

The Kalyanji – Anandji were a confident team and did not hesitate in working with debutante film directors. Manmohan Desai started his career with "Chhalia"; "Dil Bhi Tera Hum Bhi Tere"; was Arjun Hingorani’s debut film. Manoj Kumar’s first, "Upkar"; Prakash Mehra’s "Haseena Maan Jayegi"; Anil Ganguli’s, "Kora Kagaz"; Subhash Ghai’s "Kaalicharan" and Feroze Khan’s, "Apradh" all had music by Kalyanji Anandji. Not only were the films successful but their music became equally popular.

Another first in their career was that they made film stars sing. They roped in Amitabh Bachchan, Hema Malini, Ashok Kumar, Nutan, Padmini Kolapure; Anil Kapoor; Nanda; Mala Sinha, Mehmood and Raaj Kumar to croon at least one song in their films.

However, with the changing trends in modern music, Kalyanji Anandji were finding themselves ill at ease and they started concentrating more on stage shows in India and abroad. They also opened a school to promote music among children. The school was called "Little Wonders". They later started "Kalaveer" their own music school to train new singers and gave breaks to several of them including Sadhana Sargam; Sonali Bajpai; Alka Yagnik; Manhar Udhas and Hemlata.

For their immense contribution to the field of film music the government of India honoured the duo with "Padmashree" in 1990. In 1996 the Madhya Pradesh government had honoured them with the prestigious "Lata Mangeshkar" Award.

Kalyanji, the anchor of the Kalyanji Anandji team passed away on August 24, 2000. He was 72.

FILMOGRAPHY :

Kalyanji : 1958 : Samrat Chandragupta; Post Box 999; 1959: Bedard Zamana Kya Jaane; Chndrasena; Ghar Ghar Ki Baat; O Tera Kya Kehna.

Kalyanji-Anandji : 1959: Madari; Satta Bazaar; 1960: Chhalia, Delhi Junction; Dil Bhi Tera Hum Bhi Tere; 1961: Passport; Pyaase Panchhi; 1962: Gangu; Mehndi Lagi Mere Haath; 1963: Bluff Master; Kahin Pyar Na Ho Jaye; Phool Bane Angarey; Sunehri Nagin; Akhand Saubbagyavati; 1964: Birju Ustad; Dulha Dulhan; Ishara; Ji Chahta Hai; Majboor; 1965: Himalay Ki God Mein; Jab Jab Phool Khile; Johar Mahmood In Goa; Purnima; Saheli; 1966: Johar In Kashmir; Preet Na Jane Reet; 1967: Aamne Samne, Dil Ne Pukara; Mera Munna; Parivar, Raaz; Upkaar; 1968: Baazi; Hasina Maan Jayegi; Juari; Saraswatichandra; Suhaag Raat; Teen Bahuraniyan; 1969: Bandhan; Ek Shriman Ek Shrimati Mahal; Nannha Farishta; Raja Saab; Tamanaa; Vishwas; 1970: Aansoo Aur Muskan; Geet; Ghar Ghar Ki Kahani; Gopi; Holi Aayee Re; Johnny Mera Naam; Kab Kyon Aur Kahan; Mere Humsafter; Priya; Purab Aur Paschim; Sachcha Jhutha; Safar; Yaadgaar; 1971: Chhoti Bahu; Hum Tum Aur Woh; Joi Bangla Desh; Johar Membood In Hong Kong; Kathputli; Maryada; Paras; Preet Ki Dori; Rakhwala; Upaasna; Kangan; 1972: Anokhi Pehchan; Aparadh; Ek Hasina Do Diwane; Hari Darshan; Janwar Aur Insaan; Joru Ka Gulam; Lalkaar; Malik; Manavata; Sub Ka Saathi; Victoria No 203; 1973: Agni Rekha; Banarasi Babu; Blackmail; Ek Kunwari Ek Kunwara; Gulam Begum Badshah; Heera; Kahani Kismat Ki; Kashmakash; Sumjhauta; Zanjeer; Raja Kaka; 1974: Albeli; Anjaan Raahein; Chattan Singh; Five Rifles; Haath Ki Safai; Har Har Mahadev; Hamrahi; Jeevan Sangram; Kasauti; Kora Kagaz; Paap Aur Punya; Patthar Aur Payal; Shubh Din; Vardan; Vachan; 1975: Anokha; Apne Dushman; Bhoola Bhatka; Chori Mera Kaam; Dharmatma; Do Thug; Faraar; Himalay se Ooncha; Mounto; Raffoo Chakkar; Uljhan; Zorro; 1976: Adalat; Bairaag; Do Anjaane; Do Shatru; Bajrang Bali; Ek Se Badkhar Ek; Hera Pheri; Kabeela; Kalicharan; Khan Dost; Lagaam; Ranglia Ratan; Sankoch; Shankar Shambhu; 1977: Aakhri Goli; Chakkar Pe Chakkar; Chalu Mera Naam; Darinda; Farishta Ya Quatil; Hatyara; Hira Aur Patthar; Kalabaaz; Kasam Khoon Ki; Khel Khiladi Ka; Khel Kismat Ka; Khoon Pasina; Kulvadhu; Naami Chor; Yaaron Ka Yaar; 1978: Aakhri Daku; Anjaam; Anjane Mein; Atithi; Besharam; Chor Ke Ghar Chor; Do Musafir; Don; Ganga Ki Saugandh; Karmayogi; Muqaddar Ka Sikandar; Nasbandi; Rahu Ketu; Trishna; Nalayak; 1979: Ahimsa; Bagula Bhagat; Guru Ho Jaa Shuru; Jaandaar; 1980: Qurbani; Desh Drohi; Bombay 405 Miles; Jwalamukhi; Kashish; Neeyat; Sau Din Saas Ke; 1981 Aakhri Mujra; Commander; Haqdaar; Itni Si Baat; Qatilon Ke Qatil; Khoon Ka Rishta; Krodhi; Lawaris; Main Aur Mera Hathi; Professor Pyarelal; Yeh Rishta Na Toote; 1982: Khush Naseeb; Raj Mahal; Rustom; Vidhaata; Log Kya Kahenge; 1983: Ghunghroo; Haadsa; Kalakaar; Nastik; Taqdeer; 1984: Dharam Aur Kanoon; Raj Tilak; Yahan Wahan; Bandh Honth; Ek Chitthi Pyar Bhari; 1985: Karishma Kudrat Ka; Pighalta Aasmaan; Yudh; Pahunche Huye Log; 1986: Baat Ban Jaye; Chameli Ki Shaadi; Jaanbaaz; Mangal Dada; Nasihat; Sultanat; Jhanjhar; Imaandar; 1987: Hirasat; Kalyug Aur Ramayan; Thikana; 1988: Falak; Sherni; Mohobbat Ki Dushman; Rukhsat; Mahaveera; Saazish; 1989: Izhaar; Daata; Tridev; Jadugar; 1990 Pyar Ka Toofan; CID; Naache Nagin Gali Gali; Ghar Parivar; Iraada; 1991: Kaun Kare Qurbani; Pratigyabandh; Dharam-Sankat; 1994: Ulfat Ki Nayi Manzilen.

source: http://rrtd.nic.in/WHO'S%20WHO-KALYANJI%20.html

[deewani]

Kalyanji, an accomplished been player came into limelight with Filmistan’s, "Nagin". He created the sinuous snake music for the film on a new instrument claviolin under the music-direction of Hemant Kumar. The film became very popular.

Thanks Jay, had no clue about the Nagin connection - have always loved the "classic" been music on Teri Yaad Mein Jalkar Dekh Liya/Oonchi Oonchi Duniya Ki and of course Man Dole Tera Tan Dole.