Lalit Pandit remembers Kalyanji-Anandji's repertoire: their music room always welcomed singers in difficulty

Updated July 1, 2024, 10:50 AM IST

Music composer Lalit Pandit recalled how legendary music maestros Kalyanji-Anandji encouraged new singers and writers, were open to changing musical trends, and some of their memorable collaborations and iconic songs that still remain among Bollywood’s standout tracks. Fans celebrated the 96th birthday of Kalyanji Virji Shah aka Kalyanji on June 30.

Lalit Pandit remembers Kalyanji-Anandji

“Kalyanji-Anandji did not compose the Amitabh Bachchan hit Khai Ke Paan Banaraswala,” composer Pandit Lalit said, as he pays homage to Kalyanji-AnandjiWe celebrated Kalyanji’s birth anniversary on June 30.

Where would you place Kalyanji-Anandji in Hindi film music?

Kalyanji and Anandji were extremely talented brothers who worked together successfully for over three decades in the Indian film industry. They had multiple qualities besides being brilliant composers and that is the reason why they worked and survived for so long in the industry.

What made the duo so enduring?

In my opinion, their greatest achievement is the way they have made their musical transition from one generation to the next. Few composers of their generation achieved this, with the exception of RD Burman. Directly from the music of Saraswatichandra has Put on And Muqaddar Ka Sikandar and many others, they were able to adapt and change their music to the following decade and it was truly incredible.

How did they create their endless repertoire of hit songs?

Both Kalyanji and Anandji had a daily jamming music room where recordings were scheduled and their favorite lyricists like Indivar, Anjaan and Gulshan Bawra were there every day from morning to evening. They made a very formidable team together, which was indeed one of the reasons why they worked successfully for so long. But there was someone else.

Both brothers had a lesser-known third younger brother, Babla. An extremely talented rhythm composer and rhythmist himself, he helped his elder brothers Kalyanji and Anandji and made brilliant arrangements in their songs. It is a known fact that Babla composed the hit song of Put on, Khaike paan Banaraswalawhich was written by Anjaan Sahab and so brilliantly sung by Kishore Kumar.

Was the most remarkable aspect of KA’s career its longevity?

I agree. Kalyanji-Anandji started their musical journey in the early 1960s and continued working till the 1990s. One of the most amazing qualities they possessed was that they were always signed repeatedly by their producers and directors to make music. Producers like Manoj Kumar, Feroz Khan, Prakash Mehra and many others loved working with Kalyanji-Anandji.

Perhaps it was not just their beautiful music but also the wonderful nature of Kalyanji-Anandji. Both of them were extremely humorous and people enjoyed their music sessions which usually lasted the whole day. It was a complete package. Fun and extreme knowledge of music of course. These combinations of qualities made them survive successfully in the music industry for so long.

They were also very adaptive?

That’s right. Their style has also changed over time. What about the more modern songs of his time – Aap Jaisa Koi And Main Laila For Qurbani…would you believe that these are the same composers who composed Chandan sa badan And Principal at Ek Khwaab Hoon! It’s hard to believe, but that’s what the Kalyanji-Anandji were.

What are your favorite KA soundtracks?

Personally, I loved their entire musical journey in many films, their combination with Anand Bakshi and Mukeshji was amazing. Songs of Himalayas Ki God Mein, Saraswatichandra, Blackmail, Put onand hundreds more. It was Kalyanji-Anandji who gave Anand Bakshi the very first chance to write for their film Jab Jab Phool Khile. The songs were extremely memorable and so well written by Bakshi Saab – Ek tha gul aur ek thi bul bul, Yahan main ajnabi hoon are so beautifully written. They have indeed given a treasure trove of music to their audience and this treasure will be cherished forever. There was a particular song in which Shashi Kapoor was challenged by Kalyanji-Anandji to rotate the entire song with his hand behind his back. Shashi Kapoor had composed this song accepting the challenge.

Tell us about your personal connection with the duo

My sister Sulakshana and my father regularly visited Kalyanji and Anandji in their music room in the late 60s and 70s. Sulakshana Didi was a trained singer and Kalyanji and Anandji loved her singing. Later, when Sulakshana Didi became a successful heroine, she sang many songs of Kalyanji-Anandji. I remember their recordings of his song from a movie called Sankoch with Jeetendraji, and Sulakshanaji sang a beautiful song composed by Anandji – Bandhi re kahe preet. The song was a huge hit at the time. Then in his very first film Uljhan Along with Sanjeev Kumar, she sang her songs in the film for Kalyanji-Anandji, the film had amazing music by the brothers. She went on to sing many songs and I had the wonderful opportunity as a child to witness these wonderful recordings and see the great composers at work. Later in their career, Kalyanji’s son Viju Shah joined the team and he did a lot to change the sound of the composers. Viju later became an independent composer but was always, even then, the backbone of the ageing duo. In films like Himalaya Ki God Mein In the credits we notice the names of Laxmikant-Pyarelalji as assistants in the arrangement of the music of Kalyanji-Anandji.

They promoted a lot of new talent

They had a knack for scouting out young talent and recognizing real talent. It was Kalyanji-Anandji who gave the first break to Alka Yagnik and Sadhana Sargam and many others. Their house and music room always welcomed struggling singers and writers. A quality that few composers possessed. Their music will live on and so will their name. They worked successfully, at a time when there were many brilliant composers doing amazing work, like Shankar-Jaikishan, Laxmikant Pyarelal, SD and RD Burman. All were at their best! And so were Kalyanji-Anandji.