Kalyanji–Anandji

Kalyanji–Anandji are an Indian composer duo from Gujarat: Kalyanji Virji Shah (30 June 1928-03 November 2000) and his brother Anandji Virji Shah (born 02 March 1933). The duo are known for their work on Hindi film soundtracks, particularly action potboilers in the 1970s. Some of their best-known works are Don, Bairaag, Saraswatichandra, Qurbani, Tridev and Safar. They won the 1975 Filmfare Award for Best Music Director for Kora Kagaz.

Career

Kalyanji and Anandji were children of a businessman who migrated from Kutch to Bombay (now Mumbai) to start a grocery and provision store. 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 the Mumbai locality of Girgaum amidst Marathi and Gujarati 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 the clavioline. which was used for the famous “Nagin Been,” used in the film Nagin (1954) which had the music of Hemant Kumar. 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 like S.D. Burman, Hemant Kumar, Madan Mohan, Naushad, Shankar Jaikishan and Ravi 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. Still they came and won the hearts and minds of Indian people.

The Bharat Bhushan–Nirupa Roy hit Samrat Chandragupta (1959) was his first film as Kalyanji Virji Shah. Songs like “Chahe Paas Ho” (Lata–Rafi) that are remembered to this day were what made the movie a commercial success. This was followed by his composing music scores for more films like Post Box 999 before Anandji who was assisting him, joined him officially to form the Kalyanji Anandji duo in Satta Bazar and Madari (1959). Chalia (1961) was their earliest major hit. In 1965, two decisive scores, Himalay Ki God Mein and Jab Jab Phool Khile, established them as composers to reckon with.

Kalyanji–Anandji’s variety-studded music is complete with some of the topmost songs of all singers and genres. Both Kalyanji and Anandji worked as music composers for over 250 films, 17 of which were golden jubilees and 39 silver. The factor behind their success is hard work, apart from their talent. They were never self-centered or egoistic. The spiritually inclined brothers opened up a new horizon in Bollywood. They used to put society in front of them and, as a thankful gesture, organised many charitable concerts for NGOs and several charitable institutions in India and abroad with some of the biggest names in Bollywood, like Dilip Kumar, Amitabh Bachchan, Anil Kapoor, Vinod Khanna, Rekha and Sridevi.

They were tireless in discovering new talents and grooming them, as well. Manhar Udhas, Kumar Sanu, Alka Yagnik, Sadhana Sargam, Sapna Mukherjee, Udit Narayan, Sunidhi Chauhan, now very popular names, were nurtured as singers and got their first breaks from Kalyanji Anandji.Laxmikant Pyarelal worked as music assistants to Kalyanji Anandji before composing Music independently for Hindi films . They helped introduce or gave career defining breaks to lyricists like Qamar Jalalabadi, Anand Bakshi, Gulshan Bawra, Anjaan, Verma Malik and M G Hashmat.

In the late 1990s and early 2000s, their work was introduced to a young Western audience by three albums. Bombay the Hard Way: Guns, Cars and Sitars was a mix album put together by US DJ Dan The Automator; Bollywood Funk was an Outcaste compilation album put together by Sutrasonic DJs Harv and Sunni; while The Beginners Guide To Bollywood was compiled by John Lewis from Time Out magazine. All three of these records concentrated on Kalyanji Anandji tracks from 1970s films that featured funk breakbeats, wah-wah guitars and Motown-style orchestrations. In 2005, The Black Eyed Peas’s “Don’t Phunk with My Heart” used music pieces from two of their songs: “Ae Naujawan” from the 1972 film Apradh and “Yeh Mera Dil” from the 1978 film Don, which won the American hip-hop group a Grammy Award.

On 24 August 2000, Kalyanji breathed his last. His era with Anandji will always be remembered for their great contributions. Kalyanji’s dream for training new and young talents and promoting them is carried on today by Anandji in the name of Little Stars.

The composers composed some outstanding songs rendered by the legend Kishore Kumar such as “Jeevan se bhari teri aankhe”, “Zindagi ka safar hai ye kaisa Safar”, “Pal pal dilke paas”, “Neele Neele Ambar Par”. Their composition called “Pal bharke liye” was used in an episode of The Simpsons. Remixed version of the song “Apni Toh Jaise Taise,” originally from the 1981 film Laawaris was used in 2010 Bollywood film Housefull. The Calcutta High Court restrained producer Sajid Nadiadwala from the cinematic use of the song.

Collaboration with singers

Lata Mangeshkar

The duo composed 297 songs for Lata in their career, the 3rd highest songs composed by any composer for Lata’s career.

The superhit song include “Jiska Mujhe Tha Intezaar” from Don (1978), “Kabhi Raat Din Hum Door The” from Aamne Saamne (1967), “Yeh Saman” from Jab Jab Phool Khile (1965), “Humare Siva Tumhare Aur Kitne deewane” from Apradh (1978]], “Main Pyaasa Tum saawan’ from Faraar (1975) etc.

Asha Bhosle

The duo composed 297 songs for Asha, the same number they composed for Lata, indicating that they emphasized Asha and Lata almost equally. Their superhit songs with Asha is led by all time hit “Yeh Mera Dil” from Don (1978). It earned asha’s 7th and last Filmfare Award as best singer. It was copied by world’s leading band Black Eyed Peas in 1990 and their song earned Grammy Award. BEP’s song included another K-A Bhosle number, “Aye Naujawan”. Their other hits with Asha includes “Kya Dekhte Ho” from Kurbani (1978), “O Saathi Re” from Muqaddar Ka Siqandar (1978)

Awards

• Cine Music Directors Award – 1965 – Himalay Ki God Mein
• First National Award – 1968 – Saraswatichandra
• Filmfare Award – 1974 – Kora Kagaz
• First Platinum Disc by HMV – Muqaddar Ka Sikandar (1978)
• 1st Platinum Disc by Polydor – Qurbani (1980)
• IMPPA Award – 1992 – For Contribution to Films
• Padmashree by the Government of India – For Outstanding Contribution
• IIFA Award (South Africa) – 2003 – Lifetime Achievement Award
• Sahara Parivar Award (United Kingdom) – 2004 – Lifetime Achievement Award
• BMI Award (United States) – 2006 – For Grammy Award-winning rap song “Don’t Phunk with My Heart”
• GIMA (Great Indian Music Awards) – 2015 – Lifetime Achievement Award

Songs and films

Their songs repeatedly entered the top popularity ratings of Binaca Geetmala and topped the list many times. Some of their notable compositions, by song title, are as follows:

• “Aankhon Aankhon Me Hum Tum” (Mahal, 1969)
• “Aaj Ki Raat Sajan” (Viswas, 1969)
• “Aao Tumhe Me Pyar Sikha Doon” (Upasna, 1971)
• “Aap Se Humko Bichhade Huye” (Vishwas, 1969)
• “Akele Hai Chale Aao” (Raaz, 1967)
• “Ankhiyon Ka Noor Hai Tu” (Johar Mehmood in Goa, 1965)
• “Apni to jaise taise” (Laawaris, 1978)
• “Are Diwano Mujhe Pehchano” (Don, 1978)
• “Are Husn Chala Kuchh Aisi” (Bluffmaster, 1963)
• “Are Oh Re, Dharti ki Tarah” (Suhaag Raat, 1968)
• “Aur Iss Dil Mein Kya” (Imaandaar, 1987)
• “Are Rafta Rafta Dekho Meri” (Kahani Kismat Ki, 1973)
• “Badi Door Se Aaye hain” (Samjhauta, 1973)
• “Ban Ke Sathi Pyar Ki Raho Mein” (Sweetheart, 1971)
• “Bekhudi Mein Sanam” (Haseena Maan Jayegi, 1968)
• “Bharat Ka Rahnewala Hoon” (Purab Aur Pachhim, 1970)
• “Bina Badra ke Bijuria” (Bandhan, 1969)
• “Bure Bhi Hum Bhale Bhi Hum” (Banarasi Babu, 1973)
• “Chahe Aaj Mujhe Na Pasand Karo” (Darinda, 1977)
• “Chahe Paas Ho” (Samrat Chandragupta, 1959)
• “Chand Aahen Bharega” (Phool Bane Angaare, 1963)
• “Chandan Sa Badan” (Saraswatichandra, 1968)
• “Chand Si Mehbooba” (Himalay Ki God Mein, 1965)
• “Chandi Ki Dewar Na Todi” (Viswas, 1969)
• “Chale The Saath Milkar ” (Haseena Maan Jayegi, 1968)
• “Chhalia Mera Naam” (Chhalia, 1960)
• “Chhuk Chhuk” (Rafoo Chakkar, 1975)
• “Chhoti Si Umar Mein Lag” (Bairaag, 1976)
• “Chupke Se Dil Dai De” (Maryada, 1971)
• “Dam Dam Diga Diga” (Chhalia, 1960)
• “Darpan Ko Dekha” (Upasna, 1971)
• “Dheere Re Chalo Gori” (Johar Mahmood in Goa, 1965)
• “Dil Beqarar Sa Hai” (Ishaara, 1964)
• “Dil Jalon Ka Dil Jalake” (Zanjeer”, 1973)
• “Dil Ko Dekho Chehra Na Dekho” (Sachaa Jhutha, 1970)
• “Dil Lootnewale Jadugaar” (Madari, 1959)
• “Dil Ne Dil Se” (Rakhwala, 1971)
• “Dil To Dil Hai” (Kab Kyon Aur Kahan, 1970)
• “Dilwala Diwana Mutwala Mastana” (Professor Pyarelal, 1981)
• “Do bechare bina sahare” (Victoriya No. 203, 1972)
• “Do Qadam Tum Bhi Chalo” (Ek Hasina Do Diwane, 1971)
• “Dulhan Chali” (Purab Aur Pachhim, 1970)
• “Duniya Mein Pyar Ki Sab Ko” (Sachaa Jhutha, 1970)
• “Duniya Mujhe Se Kahti Hai Ki Peena Chod De” (Kahani Kismat Ki, 1973)
• “Ek Baat Poochu Dil Ki Baat” (Kathputli, 1971)
• “Ek Se Badhkar Ek” (Ek Se Badhkar Ek, 1976)
• “Ek Tara Bole” (Yaadgaar, 1970)
• “Ek Tha Gul Aur Ek Thi” (Jab Jab Phool Khile, 1965)
• “Ek Tuna Mila”, (Himalay Ki God Mein, 1965)
• “Ga Ga Ga Gaye Ja” (Professor Pyarelal, 1981)
• “Gali Gali Mein” (Tridev, 1989)
• “Ganga Maiya Men Jab Tak” (Suhaag Raat, 1968)
• “Gazar Ne Kiya Hai Ishara (Tridev, 1989)
• “Ghodi Pe Ho Ke Sawar” (Ghulam Begam Badshah, 1973)
• “Govinda Aala Re Aala” (Bluff Master, 1963)
• “Guni Jano Bhakt Jano” (Anshoo Aur Muskan, 1970)
• “Har Kisiko Nahi Milta” (Jaanbaaz, 1986)
• “He Re Kanhaiya” (Chhoti Bahu, 1971)
• “Hum Bolega To Bologe Ki” (Kasauti, 1974)
• “Hum Chod Chale Hai Mehfil Ko” (Ji Chahta Hai, 1964)
• “Humare Siva Tumhare Aur Kitne Diwane” (Apradh, 1972)
• “Hum Ko Mohabbat Ho Gai Hai” (Haath Ki Safai”, 1974)
• “Hum The Jinke Sahare” (Safar, 1970)
• “Humsafar Ab Yeh Safar Ka” (Juari, 1968)
• “Humsafar Mere Humsafar” (Purnima”, 1965)
• “Hamne Tujhko Pyar Kiya Hai ” (Dulha Dulhan, 1964)
• “Humne Aaj Se Tume Yeh Naam De Diya” (Raja Sahab, 1969)
• “Ho Gaye Hum Aapke Kasamse” (Bombay 405 Miles, 1981)
• “Husna ke Lakhon rang”(Johny Mera Naam, 1970)
• “Ja Re Ja O Harjaee” (Kalicharan, 1976)
• “Jeevan Se Bhari Teri Aankhen” (Safar, 1970)
• “Jiske Sapne Humen Roz Aate Hai (Geet, 1971)
• “Jis Dil Mein Basa Tha Pyar Tera” (Saheli, 1965)
• “Jis Path Pe Chala” (Yaadgaar, 1970)
• “Jo Pyar Tune Mujhko Diya Tha” (Dulha Dulhan, 1964)
• “Jo Tumko Ho Pasand Wahi Baat Karenge” (Safar, 1970)
• “Jo Tum Hansoge To” (Kathputli, 1971)
• “Jubaan Pe Dardbharee Daastaan” (Maryada, 1971)
• “Kankaria Maar Ke Jagaya” (Himalay Ki God Mein, 1965)
• “Kabhi Raat Din Hum Door The” (Aamne Samne, 1978)
• “Karle Pyar Karle Aankhen Char” (Sacha Jhoota, 1970)
• “Kasam Na Lo koyee Humse” (Bombay 405 Miles, 1981)
• “Kaun Raha Hai Kaun Rahega” (Sankoch, 1976)
• “Khaike Paan Banaraswala” (Don, 1978)
• “Khai Thi Kasam” (Dil Ne Pukara, 1967)
• “Khush Raho Har Khushi He” (Suhaag Raat, 1968)
• “Kisi Rah Mein Kisi Mod Par” (Mere Humsafar, 1970)
• “Koi Jab Tumhara Hriday Tod De” (Purab Aur Paschim, 1970)
• “Koi Koi Aadmi Diwana Hota Hai” (Sweetheart, 1971)
• “Koi Koi Raat Aisi Hoti Hai” (“Banarasi Babu, 1973)
• “Kub Ke Bichhade hue” (“Lawaaris, 1981)
• “Kya Hua Kya Nahin” (Yudh, 1985)
• “Kya Khoob Lagti Ho” (Dharmatma, 1975)
• “Laila O Laila” (Qurbani, 1980)
• “Le Chal Mere Jivan Sathi” (Vishwas, 1969)
• “Main To Ek Khwab Hoon” (Himalay Ki God Mein, 1965)
• “Main Bairagi Nachoon Gaoon” (Bairaag, 1976)
• “Main Doob Jatah Hoon” (Black Mail, 1973)
• “Main Pyasa Tum Sawan” (Faraar, 1975)
• “Main Teri Mohabatt Mein” (Tridev, 1989)
• “Main To Bhool Chali Babul Ka Desh” (Saraswatichandra, 1968)
• “Main Tujhe Milne Aayee Mandir” (Heera”, 1973)
• “Mere Desh Ki Dharti” (Upkar, 1967)
• “Mere Dil Ne Jo Maanga” (Rakhwala, 1971)
• “Mera Jeevan Kora Kagaz” (Kora Kagaz, 1973) – this soundtrack won a Filmfare Award and topped in Binaca Geetmala for the year 1974.
• “Meri Lotery Lag” (Holi Aayi Re, 1970)
• “Mere Mitwa Mere Meet Re” (Geet, 1970)
• “Mere Toote Hue Dil Se” (Chhalia, 1960)
• “Meri Jaan Kuch Bhi Keejiye” (Chhalia, 1960)
• “Meri Pyari Behaniya” (Sacha Jhoota, 1970)
• “Mile Mile Do Badan” (Black Mail, 1973)
• “Mujhe Kahte Hai Kallu Qawal” (Dulha Dulhan, 1964)
• “Mujhko Is Raat Ki Tanhai Mein Awaz Na do” (Dil Bhi Tera Hum Bhi Tere, 1960)
• “Na Na Karte Pyar Tumhin Se” (Jab Jab Phool Khile, 1965)
• “Nafarat Karne Walon Ke” (Johny Mera Naam, 1970)
• “Na Koi Raha Hai Na Koi Rahega” (Johar Mehmood in Goa, 1965)
• “Naino Mein Nindiya Hai” (Joroo Ka Ghulam, 1972)
• “Nazar Ka Jhuk Jana” (Passport, 1961)
• “O Dilbar Jaaniye” (Haseena Maan Jayegi, 1968)
• “O Mere Raja” (Johny Mera Naam, 1970)
• “O Sathi Re Tere Bina bhi” (Muqaddar Ka Sikander, 1978)
• “Pal Pal Dil Ke Paas” (Black Mail, 1973)
• “Pal bhar ke liye” (Johny Mera Naam, 1970)
• “Pardesiyon Se aakhiyan milana” (Jab Jab Phool Khile, 1965)
• “Peene Walo Ko Peene Ka Bahana” (Haath Ki Safai, 1974)
• “Peete Peete Kabhi Kabhi” (Bairaag, 1976)
• “Phool Tumhe Bheja Hai Khat Main” (Saraswatichandra, 1968)
• “pyar to ek din hona thaa” (Ek Shrimaan Ek Shrimati, 1969)
• “Pyar Se Dil Bhar De” (Kab Kyoun Aur Kahaan, 1970)
• “Qasme Wade Pyar Wafa” (Upkar, 1967)
• “Rafta Rafta Dekho Meri” (Kahani Kismat Ki, 1973)
• “Rahne Do Rahne Do, Gile Shikwe” (Rakhwala, 1971)
• “Saaz-E-Dil Chhed De” (Passport, 1961)
• “Sabke Rahte Lagta Hai Jaise” (Samjhauta, 1973)
• “Samjhauta Gamon Se Karlo”(Samjhauta, 1973)
• “Salaam-e-ishq Meri Jaan” (Muqaddar Ka Sikander 1978)
• “Sama he suhana suhana”(Ghar Ghar Ki Kahani), 1970)
• “Sukh Ke Sab Saathi” (Gopi, 1970)
• “Tera Saath Kitna Pyara” (Jaanbaaz, 1986)
• “Tere Chehre Mein Woh” (Dharmatma, 1975)
• “Tere Hoton Ke do phool” (Paras, 1971)
• “Tere Naina Kyon Bhar Aaye” (“Geet, 1971)
• “Teri raho me khade hai dil tham ke” (Chhalia, 1960)
• “Teri Zulfein Pareshan” (Preet Na Jane Reet, 1963)
• “Thoda Sa Thehro” (Victoria No. 203,1973)
• “Tirchi Topiwale” (Tridev, 1989)
• “Tum Ko Mere Dil Ne Pukara” (Rafoo Chakkar, 1975)
• “Tum Mile Pyar Se”(Apradh, 1972)
• “Tum Se Door Reh Ke” (Adalat, 1976)
• “Tu Kya Jane” (Haadsaa, 1983)
• “Tu Kya Jane Wafaa O Bewafa” (Haath Ki Safai, 1974)
• “Tu Na Mili To Hum Jogi Baan Jayenge” (Victoria No. 203, 1972)
• “Tu yaar Hai Mera” (Kahani Kismat Ki, 1973)
• “Vaada Kar Le Sajna” (Haath Ki Safai, 1974)
• “Waqt Karta Jo Wafa” (Dil Ne Pukara, 1967)
• “Yaari Hai Meri Imaan” (Zanjeer, 1973)
• “Yeh Bombay Saher Hai Haadsaa” (Haadsaa, 1983)
• “Yeh Duniyawale Poochhenge” (Mahal), 1969)
• “Yeh Mera Dil” (Don, 1978)
• “Yeh Raat Hai Pyasi Pyasi” (Chhoti Bahu, 1971)
• “Yeh Sama, Sama hai yeh pyar Ka” (Jab Jab Phool Khile, 1965)
• “Y.O.G.A Karo Yoga Yoga” (Haadsaa, 1983)
• “Ye Do Diwane Dilke, Chale” (Johar Mehmood in Goa, 1965)
• “Ye Vada Raha” (Professor Pyarelal,1981)
• “Yunhi Tum Mujhse Baat Karti Ho” (Sachaa Jhutha, 1970)
• “Yudh Kar” (Yudh, 1985)
• “Zindagi Ka Safar Hai Ye Kaisa Safar” (Safar, 1970)
• “Zuban Pe Dard Bhari Dastan” (Maryada, 1971)
• “My Guru” (Thicker Than Water, 2003)

Associations

Prakash Mehra

Haseena Maan Jayegi

• Zanjeer
• Haath Ki Safai
• Hera Pheri
• Muqaddar Ka Sikandar
• Lawaaris
• Ghungroo
• Imaandaar
• Jaadugar

Manoj Kumar

• Upkar
• Purab Aur Paschim

Feroz Khan

• Apradh
• Dharmatma
• Qurbani
• Janbaaz

Manmohan Desai

• Chhaliya
• Bluff Master
• Sachcha Jhutha

Sultan Ahmed

• Heera
• Ganga Ki Saugandh
• Daata

Rajiv Rai

• Yudh
• Tridev

Gulshan Rai

• Vidhaata
• Johny Mera Naam

Subhash Ghai

• Kalicharan
• Vidhaata