Shankar-Jaikishan – Trendsetters of the Golden Era

When talking about Bollywood music from the 1950s to 1970s, it's hard not to mention Shankar and Jaikishan, the music directors of countless evergreen songs in this era. The famous duo were significant contributors to Bollywood music.

Shankar Jaikishan were trendsetters of their era as they were the first to introduce orchestration in Bollywood songs. It was at Prithvi Theatre that the duo first collaborated. This story will trace the musical geniuses' journey as partners and individual professionals.

Shankar and Jaikishan first met outside Gujarati director Chandravadan Bhatt's office. The musicians hit it off instantly, and Shankar offered Jaikishan a harmonium player's job at Prithvi Theatre. While working together, Raj Kapoor noticed the duo and offered their first assignment as assistants to the music director, Ram Ganguly, for the movie Aag (1948).

Raj Kapoor was impressed with Shankar's musical abilities. He immediately took Shankar as the music director for the former's movie Barsaat (1949). On Shankar's insistence, Jaikishan was included in the film, and thus the legendary duo was formed.

Here on, Shankar Jaikishan composed many award-winning hits for R.K. Films, including Awara (1951), Shree 420 (1955), Jis Des Mein Ganga Behti Hai (1960), Sangam (1965), and Mera Naam Joker (1972).

On the other hand, Jaikishan was known for composing background scores and was regarded as one of the best music composers for romantic songs. 'Teri Pyari Pyari Soorat Ko' from Sasural (1961) and 'Yeh Mera Prem Patra' from Sangam are his compositions. However, it was the duo's internal pact not to take individual credit for any song composition.

The majority of S-J compositions were sung by Manna Dey and later Mukesh and Mohammad Rafi. Lata sang many duets with these singers for S-J's compositions. Though the pairing of S-J and Rafi will always be remembered. Rafi's voice and Shammi Kapoor's on-screen style in 'Yahoo' from Junglee (1961) and 'Badan Pe Sitaren Lapete Hue' from Prince (1969) became Bollywood's epic songs.

Apart from the professional association, Rafi shared a priceless friendship with the duo. When the duo had a rift, it was Rafi who brought them back together.

Shankar-Jaikishan created music that had a huge fan following in India and across the globe. However, the duo had their share of differences and was almost on the verge of separation. But even after Jaikishan's death, Shankar continued the legacy.

With the rumours of the duo's rift, followed by Jaikishan and Shailendra's death, and the end of an association with R.K. Films, Shankar couldn't retain the magic. But later, he got some success with his music for Beimaan (1972), Resham Ki Dori (1974) & Sanyasi (1975). Sanyasi was also the last success under the Shankar-Jaikishan banner.

The world lost two dynamic music composers. Regardless, the highest-paid music directors of their time and recipients of numerous Filmfare awards have left a legacy beyond compare.