Jagmohan Singh Barhok.
On The Death Anniversary of Kalyanji Virji Shah
Kalyanji Virji Shah debuted with “Samrat Chandragupta” (1959) featuring Bharat Bhushan & Nirupa Roy. One of the film’s songs ‘Chaahe Paas Ho, Chaahe Door Ho ‘ (Late-Rafi) continues to be one of the favourites songs of many. ‘Tumhe Yaad Hoga Kabhie Hum Mile The’ ( Satta Bazar) starring Balraj Sahni, Meena kumari,Suresh, Vijaya Chaudhary is another popular number from the Kalyanji Anandji duo followed by Manmohan Desai’s maiden venture “Chhalia (1960)starring Raj Kapoor, Nutan & Rehman with many hits like- “Teri Rahon Mein Khade Hai”, “Dum Dum Diga Diga”, Meri Jaan Kuchh Bhi Kijiye”, “Mere Toote Huye Dil Se” & theme song “Chhalia Mera Naam” to mention.”Jab Jab Phool Khile” (1965) with hits like ” Ye Samma, Samma Hai Ye Pyar Ka” ,”Ek Tha Gul Aur Ek Thi” & “Pardesion Se Na Akhiyaan Milana” & Vijay Bhatt’s ” Himalaya Ki God Mein” starring Manoj Mala Sinha with hits – “Ek Tu Jo Mila Saree Duniya Milee”, “Kankariya Maar Ke Jagaaya” & “Chand Si Mehbooba Ho Meri Kab ” brought them at par with other leading music composer like SD Burman, SJK & Naushad. There was no looking back for team KJAJ so to say.They raced to name & fame in the years that following composing hits after hits like “Humare Siva Tumhare Aur Kitne Deewane Hai”,(Kishore-Lata) ,”Tum Mile Pyar Se” (Kishore-Asha) from Feroz-Mumtaz starrer “Apradh” (1972).
Oher notable songs composed by the duo include the likes of- “Chand Aahen Bharega” (Phool Bane Angaare, 1963), “Jo Pyar Tune Mujhko Diya Tha” (Dulha Dulhan, 1964), “Qasme Wade Pyar Wafa” (Upkar, 1967), “Akele Hai Chale Aao” (Raaz, 1967),”Chandan Sa Badan” (Saraswatichandra, 1968),”Aap Se Humko Bichhade Huye” (Vishwas, 1969),”Dil Ko Dekho Chehra Na Dekho” (Sachaa Jhutha, 1970), “Husna Ke Lakhon Rang” (Johny Mera Naam, 1970),”Zindagi Ka Safar Hai Ye Kaisa Safar” (Safar, 1970), “Chupke Se Dil Dai De” (Maryada, 1971),”Are Rafta Rafta Dekho Aankh Meri” (Kahani Kismat Ki, 1973), “Badi Door Se Aaye Hain” (Samjhauta, 1973), “Kya Khoob Lagti Ho” (Dharmatma, 1975) “Tere Chehre Mein Woh” (Dharmatma, 1975)”Apni to jaise taise” (Laawaris, 1978), “Are Diwano Mujhe Pehchano” (Don, 1978),”Laila O Laila” (Qurbani, 1980)” Tera Saath Kitna Pyara” (Jaanbaaz, 1986) & “Dil Lootnewale Jadugaar” (Madari, 1959).
I would like to mention “Muqaddar Ka Sikandar (1978) & “Qurbani” two of their most popular musical hits winning First Platinum Disc by HMV & First Platinum Disc by Polydor respectively. Kalyanji’s “Been music” in “Man Dole Mera Tan Dole” number under the baton Hemant Kumar is still as popular as it was in 1950s.I watched the film under reference “Nagin” at Ferozepore in 1955. Anandji joined Kalyanji few years later. Before him he had composed music for “Samrat Chandragupt” & “Post Box No.999” (1958), “Bedard Zamana Kya Jaane”, & “Oh Tera Kya Kehna” (1959). Anandji joined him during the making of “Satta Bazar”(1959) another notable film.Bestowed with Filmfare Best Music Director Award for “Kora Kagaz” (1974). The film also won Best Actress Award (Jaya Bachchan) & National Film Award For Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment – Anil Ganguly.
Viju Shah, Kalyanji,s son, is also a talented music director. He composed music for hits like ” Tridev”(1989), “Vishwatama” (1992), “Mohra” (1994), “Tere Mere Sapne” (1996) and “Gupt” (1997). Kalyanji Died this Day in 2000.
