Hindi cinema is noted for its music composers and sometimes two composers come together to form a duo. Shankar Jaikishan were arguably the most famous composer duo before they lost their position to Laxmikant Pyarelal.
The brothers’ team of Kalyanji Virji Shah and Anandji Virji Shah more commonly known as Kalyanji Anandji (KA) were the third such pair during this period. Having started as assistants, they formed their own team and became composers. They were highly successful and had a long career from the late 1950s to the 90s. Their musical range covered many genres and they succeeded in contributing some incredible tunes in all of them. Strangely, they did not win many major awards, maybe because of the tough competition of the times! But yes, their songs have remained evergreen for the listener.
In today’s post, we will be remembering some multiple version (or tandem) songs from this duo. 2nd March is the birthday of Anandji (born 1933), so happy birthday to him in the form of this tribute.
1) Song: Mujhko Is Raat Ki Tanhaai Mein Awaaz
Film: Dil Bhi Tera Hum Bhi Tere (1960)
Credits: Shamim Akhtar Jaipuri | Kalyanji Anandji | Mukesh | Lata Mangeshkar
This was Dharmendra’s debut film. Both versions are sad songs. Dharmendra sings the first version when he thinks he has lost his beloved (Kumkum). Later, Kumkum sings the female version. A simple but effective composition which has a haunting quality. One can see some influence of Shankar Jaikishan in the early KA songs.
2) Song: Humne Tujhko Pyaar Kiya Hai Jitna
Film: Dulha Dulhan (1964)
Credits: Indeevar | Kalyanji Anandji | Lata Mangeshkar | Mukesh
The film stars the odd pair of Raj Kapoor and Sadhana. Raj Kapoor definitely looks aged to be paired with the younger heroine! The first song is a female version where Sadhana sings it admitting her love for the hero. But life is not straight forward, and they get separated afterwards. The male version is a sad version which comes much later in tragic circumstances. The heroine does not recognize him and he makes an attempt to rekindle her memory by singing the same song. Both songs are sung well and the composition brings out the mood of the contrasting situations successfully.
3) Song: Pardesiyon Se Na Ankhiyaan Milana
Film: Jab Jab Phool Khile (1965)
Credits: Anand Bakshi | Kalyanji Anandji | Mohammed Rafi | Lata Mangeshkar
This is undoubtedly an evergreen song. The song has 2 versions by Mohammed Rafi, happy followed by sad. One can easily visualize Shashi Kapoor crooning the romantic number on a shikara in Kashmir. Later, the female version is picturized on Nanda. KA deliver a catchy tune which works in all versions.
4) Song: Akele Hai Chale Aao
Film: Raaz (1967)
Credits: Shamim Akhtar Jaipuri | Kalyanji Anandji | Lata Mangeshkar | Mohammed Rafi
A classic song based on raga Charukeshi. The movie starred a very young Rajesh Khanna and Babita. The female version is a typical haunting song format. The heroine (in white) sings the song as the hero follow her but she keeps disappearing and reappearing. Later, the hero sings the male solo as he thinks the heroine may have left him and calls out to her….akele hai chale aao. The singing is awesome, so is the music.
5) Song: Chandan Sa Badan
Film: Saraswatichandra (1968)
Credits: Indeevar | Kalyanji Anandji | Mukesh | Lata Mangeshkar
Saraswatichandra had many good songs. This romantic song is based on the sweet raga Yaman. The song begins with Mukesh humming for the hero (Manish). The heroine (Nutan) hears him and steps out to meet him secretly. He describes her beauty in all its glory.
However, circumstances lead her to marry a different man. When they meet again, she sings the same song in a dream situation. She realizes she still has feelings for him. KA keep the tune simple and focus on presentation of the beauty of the lyrics with full effect.
6) Song: Mere Mitwa
Film: Geet (1970)
Credits: Anand Bakshi | Kalyanji Anandji | Mohammed Rafi | Mohammed Rafi and Lata Mangeshkar
This is one of those typical situational songs. The heroine (Mala Sinha) is visiting Kullu. She is enjoying the scenery when she hears the hero (Rajendra Kumar) singing the song. She searches for the source of the melody. Of course, they are destined to meet, fall in love and sing the song as a romantic duet.
7) Song: Meri Pyaari Beheniyaan
Film: Sachaa Jhoota (1970)
Credits: Indeevar | Kalyanji Anandji | Kishore Kumar | Kishore Kumar
It is interesting how the movie’s story line dictates the situation and it is the music director’s responsibility to supply the most appropriate song for it. This is a brother-sister song. An impoverished Rajesh Khanna leaves his village to go to the city for work. The sole purpose is to earn money to arrange the dowry for his handicapped sister’s marriage. He sings the song in a teasing way before she (Baby Naaz) sees him off at the railway station.
Later in the city, he sees a newly wedded couple’s baraat with all the band baaja. The handicapped bride sitting in the car reminds him of his sister and he blesses the bride and joins the band, singing the same song.
8) Song: Jai Jai Narayan Narayan Hari Hari
Film: Hari Darshan (1972)
Credits: Pradeep | Kalyanji Anandji | Mahendra Kapoor | Lata Mangeshkar
There was a time when mythological movies were a rage and had their own audience. Hari Darshan is such a movie, based on the story of Bhakta Prahlad and Hiranyakashipu . KA made the use of raga Malkans in this catchy composition. The song appears thrice in the movie. Once at the beginning, picturised on Arvind Trivedi (who played the role of Raavan in the TV serial Ramayana). The other versions are picturised on the young Prahlad (Master Satyajeet). He sings the virtues of Lord Vishnu with his fellow students in school though it is strictly prohibited to do so. The final version appears at the end of the movie as Hiranyakashipu moves closer to his imminent fate (i.e. death) at the hands of Lord Vishnu’s Narasimha avatar.
9) Song: O Saathi Re
Film: Muqaddar Ka Sikandar (1978)
Credits: Anjaan | Kalyanji Anandji | Asha Bhosle | Kishore Kumar
KA had a long association with Prakash Mehra from Haseena Maan Jayegi, Zanjeer, Haath Ki Safaai to Laawaris. But the best of the lot is Muqaddar Ka Sikandar. A tragic love story. Sikandar (Amitabh Bachchan) sings the male version after Rakhee mocks him and invites him to present a song. And surprise! he sings a very moving song which was sung by Rakhee as a child in her mother’s memory. There is no dancing or action in the song but Amitabh’s “acting” leaves its impression on the viewer. The female version is a birthday song picturised on Baby Shalu, who plays the younger Rakhee.
10) Song: Mere Angne Mein
Film: Laawaris (1981)
Credits: Anjaan, Prakash Mehra | Kalyanji Anandji | Alka Yagnik | Amitabh Bachchan
This is originally a folk song in North India which was “enhanced” and made in to a film song. Rakhee sings the female version at the beginning of the movie; her performance being enjoyed by her lover (Amjad Khan). Years later, Amitabh Bachchan sings it in front of Amjad Khan, unaware that he is Amjad’s illegitimate son. The tune is catchy and Amitabh performs it quite professionally!
The other version is sung by Alka Yagnik which earned her a Filmfare nomination for best playback singer. This is one of her earliest songs and you can feel the rawness in her voice. KA played a role in nurturing her talent and giving her a break at a young age. A few years later she would become one of the most sought after singers in Hindi cinema.
Cine Gaurav 
Nicely written. Well chosen songs
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