Kalyanji Anandji- Dum Dum Diga Diga
This post is sponsored byiView Author: Ratnakar Sadasyula (Bhubaneshwar, India)
Email: ratnakar.techie [at] gmail [dot] com
———————————————————–
Kalyanji Anandji- Dum Dum Diga Diga
———————————————————–
When doing one of those numerous Antakshari jam sessions with my friends to kill time, whenever we got the letter ‘ÄŽa’ on cue the first song would be “ÄŽum ÄŽum Diga Diga, Mausam Bheega Bheega”.
Your heartbroken in love, and no better song to capture the mood than “Chandi ki Deewar Na Thodi”.
No marriage in North India would be complete without the marriage band playing “Meri Pyaari Behaniya, Banegi Dulhaniya”.
Think of the disco craze in the 1980’s and the first two songs that immediately pop up in your mind would be ” Aap Jaisa Koi” and “Laila O Laila”.
Or what about the ode to friendship with “Yaari Hai Imaan Mera”?
And the de facto patriotic anthems “Mere Desh Ki Dharti” or “Hain Preet Jahan Ki Reet Sada”.
Or if you are in a romantic mood, and want to tell it your girl, “Pal Pal Dil Ke Paas, Tum Rehti Hoo” or just praise her eyes “Jeevan Se Bhari Teri Aankhen “. Or if you still want to be more poetic, just speak glowingly of “Chandan Sa Badan, Chanchal Chitwan”.
And if you are in that kind of soulful, introspective mood “Zindagi Ka Safar, Hai Yeh Kaisa Safar”.
Various songs, various movies, various moods and just one musical duo behind them all – Kalyanji Anandji.
A look at Kalyanji Anandji’s filmography reads like a list of some of the most popular movies of Bollywood during the 60’s, 70’s and early 80’s. Saraswati Chandra, Jab Jab Phool Khile, Bluffmaster, Saccha Jhoota, Chalia, Upkar, Purab Aur Paschim, Zanzeer, Don, Muqaddar Ka Sikandar, Blackmail, Johhny Mera Naam, Safar, Qurbani, Lawaaris, Dharmatma, Apradh to name a few.
They worked with some of the top most directors like Vijay Anand( Johnny Mera Naam), Manmohan Desai( Chalia, Sacha Jhoota), Feroze Khan( Dharmatma, Qurbani), Manoj Kumar( Upkar, Purab Aur Paschim), Prakash Mehra( Zanzeer, Muqaddar Ka Sikandar, Laawaris).
Yet in spite of such a phenomenal track record, and a vast repertoire of melodies, some how this duo, have never really got the recognition they deserved. I have known some friends of mine, who have been singing these melodies for long, but did not know that they were composed by Kalyanji Anandji. And that is sad. The duo had a really vast range. They could do a totally classical based score like Saraswati Chandra, a rustic folk based score like Upkar, and at the same time be comfortable in a totally Westernized set up like Don or Qurbani. While I did like SEL’s music score for the latest version of Don, I still feel that Kalyanji Anandji’s score in the original 1978 version, was the far better one. Be it the background score, or Asha’s seductive vocals in “Yeh Mera Dil, Pyaar Ka Deewana” or the totally rustic tone in “Yeh Hi Bambai Nagariya” or the sheer infectiousness of “Khaike Paan Banaras Wala”, it is a really great score.They were one of the first music directors, in fact to organize live stage shows, abroad. And KA’s live shows with Kishore, Lata, Asha, were a major success in US and UK, during the 70’s and 80’s, as also the live shows they had with Amitabh Bachan.
But then that was the nature of Kalyanji Anandji. Pretty modest, pretty self effacing, they were the ones who let their work do the talking. Not much given to self promotion or hype, they in fact spent a good amount of their earnings on social work. The sons of a Kutchi trader in the Mumbai suburb of Girgaum, Kalyanji Virji Shah and Anandji Virji Shah, showed an interest in music from their childhood days. Kalyanji in fact started his career earlier, the been sound in the 1954 flick Nagin, which had music by Hemant Kumar, was in fact done by Kalyanji. Initially Kalyanji started solo scoring for a couple of movies as Kalyanji Virji Shah, starting off with Samrat Chandragupta(1959). Satta Bazaar saw Anandji joining him, and that was officially the first movie of Kalyanji Anandji.
The 50’s and 60’s were the Golden Age of Hindi music, what with titans like Naushad, Shankar Jaikishan, O.P. Nayyar, Madan Mohan, S.D. Burman, Ravi ruling the marquee. But they managed to hold their own, and with movies like Chalia, Jab Jab Phool Khile, Saraswati Chandra , Himalay Ke God Mein, they firmly established themselves. They have scored for 250 movies, out of which 17 were Golden Jubilees and 39 were Silver Jubilee hits, a phenomenal record. And most of their songs regularly hit the top of the charts. And not just movies, they even groomed aspiring singers Alka Yagnik, Sadhana Sargam, Sapna Mukherjee, Udit Narayan to name a few. So here is a very humble tribute of mine to some great songs by this duo. I am listing some favorite songs of mine by KA here.
Akele Hain Chale Aao( Raaz, Mohd Rafi)
Chaand Aahe Barenga( Phool Bane Angare, Mukesh)- One of the very rare songs Mukesh sang for Raj Kumar
Chaand Si Mehbooba( Himalay Ki God Mein, Mukesh)
Main To Ek Khwaab Hoon( Himalay Ki God Mein, Mukesh)- Fabulous Dukh bhari song by Mukesh.
Chandan Sa Badan ( Saraswati Chandra, Mukesh)- One of the finest songs, of all time. Delicate, melodious, the opening beats are so pleasant. If you are a die hard old fashioned romantic, you just cant help falling in love with this number. And the lyrics by Indivar “tan bhi sundar, man bhi sundar, tum sundarta ki murat hai, kisi aur ko shaayad kam hogi, mujhe teri bahot zaroorat hai, pehle bhi bahut main tarasa hoon, tu aur na mujhko tarasana”. Mukesh wonderfully touches the high notes, here especially when he transitions from “dheere se tera yeh Muskanaa” to “Mujhe dosh na dena, jag walo, ho jaao agar mein deewana”.
Chod De Sari Duniya( Lata, Saraswati Chandra)- Beautiful and pensive solo by Lata.
Main to Bhool Chali Baabol Ka Desh( Lata, Saraswati Chandra) – Lovely wedding song
Phool Tumhe Bheja Hai Khat Mein.(Lata-Mukesh, Saraswati Chandra)-Beautiful duet.
Chaandi Ke Deewar Na Todi( Viswaas, Mukesh)- Another excellent dard bhari song.The movie also has a really melodious duet, again from
Le Chal, Le Chal mere Jeevan Saathi( Viswaas, Mukesh-hemalata)- Nice breezy romantic duet.
Deewano Se Yeh Mat Pucho( Upkar, Mukesh)- Though Upkar was more famous for Mere Desh Ki Dharti, this Mukesh solo is equally nice too.
Dil To Hail Dil ( Muqaddar Ka Sikandar, Lata)- Another chartbuster score in one of the biggest hit movies. This is a lovely sweet solo from Lata, with lovely lyrics by Anjaan.
Oh Saathi Re( Muqaddar Ka Sikandar, Kishore)- Great song from Kishore
Salaam E Ishq(Muqaddar Ka Sikandar, Kishore-Lata)- Fabulous Mujra Song, both AB and Rekha had a great chemistry here.
Dum Dum Diga Diga( Chalia, Mukesh)- Infectious, foot tapping this song proved that apart from his dard bhari gaane, Mukesh was equally good with the masti bhari songs.
Mere Toote Hue Dil Se( Chalia, Mukesh)- Another song, from the same movie. Mukesh really seems to specialize in these Dard Bhari gaane.
Hum The Jinke Sahare( Safar, Lata Mangeshkar) – Great solo from Lata here
Jeevan Se Bhari Teri Aankhen( Safar, Kishore Kumar)- A really romantic song, with some wonderful lyrics.
Zindagi Ka Safar( Safar, Kishore Kumar)- One of the most haunting songs, and one of my all time favorites.
Jo Tumko Ho Pasand( Safar, Mukesh)- Great solo by Mukesh, in a totally Kishore dominated album.
Kasme Vaade Pyaar Vafa( Upkar, Manna Dey)- Lovely solo, very touching, very moving, speaking of broken promises.
Mera Jeevan Kora Kaagaz( Kora Kagaz, Kishore)- Another lovely sad number by Kishore.
Mujhko Is Raat Ki Tanhai Mein( Dil Bhi Tere Hum Bhi Tere, Mukesh)- Nice song from Mukesh. This was Dharmendra’s debut movie.
Pal Pal Dil Ke Paas( Blackmail, Kishore)- If you do want to show your girl how much you love her, get her to listen to this. One of Kishore Da’s best romantic solos.
Pardesiyon Se Na Akhiyan Milana( Jab Jab Phool Khile, Lata, Rafi)- All time great song, from the original version of Raja Hindustani.
Sama Hai Suhana Suhana( Ghar Ghar Ki Kahani, Kishore)- Really peppy, lively number, guaranteed to set your foot tapping.
Samjautha Gamo Se Kar Lo( Samjautha, Kishore)- A song I quite often listen to, whenever I am in a bit of a down mood, to just get me going.
Vada Kar Le Saajana( Haath ki Safai, Lata-Rafi)- Nice lovely duet from the movie picturized on Vinod Khanna and Simi.
Yeh Sama, Sama Hai yeh Pyaar Ka( Jab Jab Phool Khile, Lata)- Lovely solo by Lata.
Zuban Pe Dard Bhari Daastan Chali Aaye( Maryada, Mukesh)- Another great solo by Mukesh.
Nafrat Karne Waalo( Johnny Mera Naam, Kishore)- Perfect cheed chaad song, and also love the shayiri in it. Like Safar, Johnny Mera Naam is another great album by KA. The seductive “Husn Ke Laakhon Rang”, the mischevious “Oh Mera Raaja”, the teasing “Pal Bhar Ke Liye” and Lata’s soulful “Oh Babul Pyaare”.
Hum Chod Chale Hai Mehfil Ko( Ji Chahta Hai, Mukesh)- ne of the very rare songs by Mukesh on Joy Mukherjee.
This is not an exhaustive list of KA songs, just some which I remembered from memory. Would love to hear your favorite songs too.
Filed Under
Movies, PROJEKT iVIEW, Thoughts , Asha Bhonsle, Kalyanji Anand Ji, Kishor Kumar, Lata, Mohd. Rafi, Mukesh
13 Responses to “Kalyanji Anandji- Dum Dum Diga Diga”
Leave a Reply
(Refer smilies)
Our Comments Policy : The following kinds of comments are troll capped, blocked and/or commenter's identity reported publicly: Verbal abuse, personal attacks, hate statements, spam, trolls, advertising. Please assist us in keeping the comments clean. Use the contact form to let us know if you find unwarranted comments on PFC. Thank you.
-
Your Ad on PFC for 99cents a day!
Subscribe to PFC eZine & Newsletter
how do I blog on PFC?
They also produced the song of 1990s Tirchi topi waale from Tridevi..though i feel it sounded more Viju shaw music who was their asst then
“…some how this duo, have never really got the recognition they deserved” This might not be true. They were immensely successful in the 70s, as you have also pointed out later in the article. It is said that all recording studios in the 70s were completely booked by the RDB-LP-KA trio, such was the volume of work they had.
If we ignore Mukesh’s collaboration with SJ for Raj Kapoor, I feel that Mukesh’s best songs are with KA. Apart from the ones you have listed above, I would like to include:
- Humne Tujhko Pyar Kiya (Dulha Dulhan)
- Waqt Karta Jo Wafa (Dil Ne Pukara)
- Darpan Ko Dekha (Upasna)
- Meri Tamannaon Ki (Holi Aayi Re)
- Tumhe Zindagi Ke Ujale Mubarak (Purnima)
Must admit I am not a great fan of their music but Kalyanji did some good work as a solo composer. Also, Kalyanji’s role as Hemant Kumar’s assistant in Nagin (and the been music). Kalyanji did some great work in Post Box 999 – Neend Na mujhko aaye (Hemant-Lata) and Mere dil mein hai ek baat (Manna-Lata) and Bichhde huye milenge (Rafi-Asha) and also in Bedard Zamana Kya Jaane which had Kalyanji begin his Mukesh association with Naina Hain Jadu Bhare, Gori Tere Naina Hain Jadu Bhare (a Chitrahaar favorite) and then there is Dil leke jaate ho kahan (Kamal Barot-Subir Sen) which was in some film that I can’t recollect now.
Somewhere in mid 70s and 80s they started over-orchestrating their songs and after a while it seemd like they wanted to drown the voice in all that gaaja-baaja
Great compilation.
And they also were the first duo to bring in the talent of all kinds to the industry.
@hermetic: Tridev was more of an 80’s song. I don’t recall em being much active in 90’s. Viju Shah btw was Kalyanji’s son and he later composed some good scores for Mohra and Gupt.
@Aditya: Yes they were a major hit duo in 70’s. But if you ask people to name any famous music composers of that period, the first choice would be RD and next LP. In fact one of my friends was pretty much surprised when i pointed out that KA scored for most of AB’s hit movies like Zanzeer, Don, and MKS.
@Subrat
I guess mid-70’s and 80’s was the time when noise was the order of the day, and it was the same with every one, so KA were not much of an exception. But i would still give them credit for their 60’s and early 70’s albums.
A correction – KA cannot be credited for Aap Jaisa Koi. That was a Biddu composition.
Great tribute to the legends Ratnakar. Good work. Keep it up.
My fav genre of KA music is “Bhajan”. They used that effectively in many films.
Copy/pasting from other forum where I had written, my fav Kishore songs by KA :
Are O Re ( Suhaag Raat)
Tere Vishaal Hriday (Maanavta)
Mile Do Badan (Blackmail)
He Re Kanhaiya (Chhoti Bahu)
Baras Gayi Re (Joru Ka Gulaam)
All 3 songs of Mahal (Mahal)
Chanda Chhode (Khel Kismat Ka)
Guni Jano ( Aansoo Aur Muskaan)
Priye Praaneshwari (HumTum Aur Woh)
Rafta Rafta (KKK)
Jitna Zaroori (Kashmakash)
Tera Saath hai (Jaanbaaz)
Main Pyaasa Tum (Faraar)
O haseeno..Lottery (Holi Aayi Re)
Peene Waalon Ko(HaathKiSafaaii)
Tum Ho Haseeen & Tum Mile (Apraadh)
Jo Tum Hasoge To (Kathputli)
Tera Jaisa Saagar (Do Musafir)
O Ladki Deewaani & Chupke Se Dil (Maryada)
Tera Husn Allah (5 Rifles)
Mila Jo Pyaar To (Preet Ki Dori)
Ye Chehre Pe Chehra (Jwaalamukhi)
Apni To Jaise & Jiska Koyi Nahin (Laawaris)
Ga Ga Gaayeja (Professor Pyarelal)
Are Tu Kya Jaane & Ye Waada Karo (Haadsa)
Hum Tere Bina Bhi (Jwaalamukhi)
Neele Neele & Khoye Khoye (Kalaakaar)
Zindagi Aye Zindagi (Yudh)
Allah Kare (Mohabbat Ke Dushman)
Yoon Na Rootho (ItniSiBaat)
Deewaana Main Hoon (Rukhsat)
Sapna Kahoon (CID)
Ye Bheegi Bheegi (Humdard)
Gaake Jiyo To (Atitihi)
Kachche Ghade (Shatruta)
Agar Dil Hamaara Sheeshe Ke Badle (EKEK)
Bure Bhi Hum (Banarasi Baabu)
Hum Bolega To (Kasauti)
Luk Chhip (Do Anjaane)
O Meri Maina Jaisi (KasamKhoonKi)
Apne Jeevan Ki (Uljhan)
Chanchal Man Teri (Sankoch)
Barson Puraana (Hera Pheri)
Mauj Dhoonde (BhoolaBhatka)
Tere Chehre Mein (Dharmatma)
Pyaar Kaagaz Pe (Heera AurPatthar )
Teri meri (Pighalta Aasmaan)
Baabul Ka ( Daata)
KJ and AJ were very successful music directors after 1965. Before also they gave hit music. in 70s also they were at par with LP. They always got chances to work with top banners and gave music to the films of big heros.
They could be, together with LP, said as right and left hands of SJ. These two pairs held the heritage of SJ.
So many times its difficult to guess whether a song is composed by LP or KJ.
On one hand they were able to use Rafi in fast track song like O Dilber Janiye and on other hand they were using him in soft romantic song wada kar le sajna in Haath ki Safai.
Sarswatichandra, Safar, Geet, Gopi etc etc, they have left a rich asset of beautiful songs behind them. Music of Upkar, Purab aur pashchim is another class and shows their control over variety.
The use of dholak, dhol, jhunjhuna and flute in the songs of Geet and Maryada was so good.
Every song has a peak point when orchestra and vocal singing reaches to a height and it can be witnessed in many of their songs.
In Geet when singers sing, Radha Kishan the kabhi naam hamare then orchestra supports the singing and feelings and it goes back into the time and it does not remain any longer a contemporary song.
@KCp: That was a pretty exhaustive list of Kishore numbers from KA. Listened to most of them. In Mahal i do recall Yeh Duniye Wale Poochenge and the Kishore-Asha duet Aankhon Aankhon Mein Hum Tum. I liked the picturization of Mile Do Badan a lot.
Neele Neele Ambar was a great song, though taken from a South Indian song.
@ RK
While most of KA’s earlier scores had a heavy SJ influence, eg Chalia, which was a total SJ redux score, in their later years, i think they evolved their own identity. If you take their scores for Don, Apradh or Qurbani, it was pretty much more westernized.
Yes i had forgotten Geet in the list of songs, Aaja Tujhko Pukare being an all time favorite. The way they use the flute in that song is really beautiful.
Even in Mere Desh Ki Dharti, they beautifully bring out the rural ethos, and slipping in the western beats in between, to showcase the difference between urban and rural. However i liked Kasme Vaade Pyaar Wafa more, it was really touching.
Also in Zanzeer, the music was really good for Yaari hai Iman Meera.
When Kalyanjibhai was signed up to compose for films in the late 50’s ( after assisting Hemant Kumar)he had Laxmikant as an assistant, who then got his (Laxmiji’s)friend Pyarelal involved and so, LP started as assistants to KA. LP were loyal to KA for 10years and had KA’s blessings they started out as composers and competitors.KA also introduced comedian actor’s including Agha and Johnny Lever,many musicians and of course many singers.
Although they didn’t get their due recognition,i feel it is refreshing to know that they gave a lot back to society in charity by doing shows and gave breaks to struggling people.
How times have changed. Kalyanji Anandji’s music will live on forever.