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 composed mainly for R.K. Films including this legendary song 'Pyar Hua Ikrar Hua' from Shree 420 (1955). It's said that Raj Kapoor created a bank of the duo's compositions which were used even after the latter had no association with R.K. Films.
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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.
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Born in 1922 as Shankar Singh Raghuvanshi in Punjab, Shankar later moved to Hyderabad, where he received training in Kathak under Krishna Kutti and tabla lessons from Baba Nasir Khansahib.
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When he arrived in Mumbai, he worked for the theatre group run by Hemavati and Satyanarayana. Soon, at Prithvi Theatre, he became music composer, Husnlal Bhagatram's assistant, and even tried his acting skills on stage.
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In 1929, Jaikishan was born as Jaikishan Dayabhai Panchal in Bansda, Gujarat. Hailing from a musician's family, Jaikishan learned the harmonium and received formal music training from Sangeet Visharad Wadilalji and Prem Shankar Nayak.
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His passion for music got him to Mumbai. Here, he worked as a timekeeper in a factory while simultaneously seeking a break in the Bollywood music industry.
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.
On the music director duo's insistence Lata Mangeshkar, then-newcomer, was given eight songs in this movie which included 'Hawa Mein Udta Jaye.'
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Song: O Mujhe Kisi Se Pyar Ho GayaShemaroo
The movie songs went on to become one of the greatest Bollywood soundtracks. It had romantic numbers like 'Barsaat Mein Humse Mile' and 'Mujhe Kisi Se Pyar Ho Gaya.'
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The movie also showcased diversity with the cabaret number 'Patli Kamar Hai.'
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Song: Yeh Mera Deewanapan Hai…Dil Se TujhkoShemaroo
Barsaat was the stepping stone for many illustrious names of the music industry. From this movie onwards, lyricists Shailendra and Hasrat Jaipuri formed a permanent collaboration with Shankar Jaikishan. One such memorable song 'Yeh Mera Deewanapan Hai' from Yahudi (1958) reflects Shailendra's poetic genius and Shankar-Jaikishan's music style.
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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).
Raj Kapoor and Nargis's iconic image under an umbrella singing 'Pyar Hua Ikrar Hua' is etched in every movie lover's memory. This song is from the movie Shree 420.
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This movie had many more Bollywoood iconic songs like 'Dil Ka Haal Sune Dilwala' and 'Mera Joota Hai Japani.'
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Song: Awara Hoon Ya Gardish MeinShemaroo
Similarly, the famous 'Awara Hoon Ya Gardish Mein' is another evergreen song composed by Shankar Jaikishan for the movie Awara.
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Shankar Jaikishan, or S-J (as they were fondly called) didn't forget their roots. Hence, their music was inspired by Indian classical music, and their favourite Raag Bhairavi was composed in many songs. 'Raja Ki Ayegi Baraat' from Aah (1953) is one such example. They had a clear understanding of the masses' choice but at the same time never feared experimentation with Western beats.
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Song: Kisi Ki Muskurahato Pe Ho NisarShemaroo
Remember the whistle tune in the song 'Kisi Ki Muskurahato Pe Ho Nisar' from Anari (1959)? That's an S-J' creation.
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Song: Tera Jana DilShemaroo
The orchestration was used to its maximum potential in their songs, with each song having orchestration pieces in prelude and interlude sections. S-J were the first to compose a sad song in a fast tempo. 'Tera Jana Dil Ke Armanon' from Anari is one such song.
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Song: Jhanak JhanakShemaroo
Usually, their S-J's movies had one semi-classical song. For example, 'Jhanak Jhanak' in the movie Mere Huzoor (1968).
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Song: Aaja Sanam Madhur Chandni Mein HumShemaroo
Also, the use of musical instruments is quite distinct in their compositions, like the accordion in the songs 'Aaja Sanam' from Chori Chori (1956) and 'Dil Ke Nazar Se' from Anari.
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Song: Dil Ki NazarShemaroo
'Dil Ke Nazar Se' also showcases how the duo would infuse waltz rhythms in their songs. It's said that S-J played a major role in the Jazz scene of India, and their album Raaga-Jazz style released in 1968, presented a tremendous Indo-Jazz collection.
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Shankar was the lead composer who decided on the musical engagements and set up a team of lyricists, music assistants, and orchestra. Each had his distinct style wherein Shankar was known for composing title songs and dance numbers like 'Ramayya Vastawaiyya' from Shree 420, 'Japan, Love in Tokyo' from the movie Love in Tokyo (1966) and 'Suku Suku 'from Junglee (1961).
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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.
Song: Main Kahi KaviShemaroo
The majority of S-J's songs sung by Rafi were massive hits; 'Ek Boot Banoonga' from Asli Naqli (1962), 'Rukh Se Zara' from Mere Huzoor and this song 'Main Kahi Kavi' from Pyar Hi Pyar (1969).
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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.
Song: Tujhe Jevaan Ki DorShemaroo
S-J composed music for many stars like Raj Kapoor, Shammi Kapoor, Dev Anand, Manoj Kumar, Dharmendra, and Rajendra Kumar. 'Tujhe Jeevan Ki Dor' from Asli Naqli (1962) starring Dev Anand is S-J's composition.
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Song: Kaun Hai Jo Sapno Mein AayaShemaroo
Here's another hit composition 'Kaun Hai Jo Sapno Mein Aaya' from Jhuk Gaya Aasman (1968) starring Rajendra Kumar.
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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.
