Shankar Jaikishan Expressions – 2 – Non- Lata Mangeshkar Duets
Back to my favorite composers – Shankar Jaikishan! I have often stated that I love their music for the deeply intrinsic melody and their interludes which had polished finesse and clear tonal quality rarely heard in HFM. Two more aspects that I love in their music are:
a) Their beautiful use of counter melody the music that runs parallel to the antaras (best heard in the Mukesh number Teri yaad dil se bhulane chala hoon from Haryali Aur Rasta) or the music that rounds of a mukhda: for example, Deewane ka naam to poochho (An Evening In Paris) cannot be hummed without the ta-ta-ta sound after every two words: deewane ka ta- ta- ta naam toh poochho ta- tat- a. I hope you understand!
b) Their music had an unusual richness; in the sense even their tabla or dholak was never alone, it always had an accompanying jhankar to it long before those horrid external ‘jhankar beats’ were devised.
Shankar Jaikishan worked for some 190 films (including Telugu movies and documentaries) and composed a spectacular 1348 songs, of which 334 were duets*. Selecting a few lovable duets (not in any particular order except as and when I recalled them), which do not feature Lata Didi but are nevertheless a pleasure to hear:
Dilruba dil pe tu yeh sitam kiye ja - Rajkumar – Exotic drums and erotic sighs make this one hot steamily scalding sensational song! Mohd. Rafi and Asha Bhonsle fantabulously modulate their voices.
Raat ke humsafar thak ke ghar ko chale – An Evening in Paris – It is believed that Shankar composed the number immediately after cremating his mother, even offering the first line of the mukhda. Considering this, the song has a far deeper layer than what meets the eye and places it in a philosophical zone otherwise not seen in the ostensibly romantic situation. The interludes are something to hug tenderly!
Dil ek mandir hai pyaar ki jisme hoti hai pooja – Dil Ek Mandir – I grew up thinking it to be a Lata Mangeshkar song, but must say Suman Kalyanpur steps in effectively. The interludes haunt. Shankar Jaikishan at their best!
Tujhe dekha tujhe pooja bas itni khata hai meri aur khata kya – Chhoti Si Mulaqat – It’s a quintessential Shankar Jaikishan song with lavish violins in the interlude.
Around the world in eight dollars -Around the World -A collosal and monumental ditty that is wide and panoramic, and covers the entire world in its ginormous size. The superb Shankar Jaikishan orchestration is to be heard to be believed.
Aap yahan aaye kis liye- Kal Aaj Aur Kal – Naughty and effervescent, young lovers Randhir Kapoor and Babita on screen upped the perk factor several notches.
Yehi hai woh saanjh aur savera -Saanjh Aur Savera -Awesome sitar pieces shapes this gentle number into a beauty. The rhythm is subtle and just perfect for a love song.
Ajhun aaye na baalma saawan beeta jaaye haaye - Saanjh Aur Savera -This classical and serious sounding song gets an unlikely picturisation on the then hit comedy pair Mehmood and Shobha Khote!
Mud mud ke na dekh - Shree 420- Hip and happening the song defies time and is still modern enough to shame any new ditty. The swing and the sway are unsurpassable.
Jaane chaman shola badan baahon mein aa jaao- Gumnaam – It’s unbelievable that the smooth voice is actually that of the otherwise shrill Sharda’s. Unlike Dilruba dil pe tu, this creates the steam in a mild and mellow manner. It has extremely sensuous interludes. Absolutely adorable, it raises warmth and love! The album is one of Shankar Jaikishan’s best ones.
Aaya na humko pyaar jataana -Pehchan -If electronic gadgets have to be used, then Shankar Jaikishan knew it extremely well. A handsome duet by Mukesh and Suman Kalyanpur!
Nanhe munhe bachhe teri mutthi mein kya hai- Boot Polish -An inspiring and motivating number from the Shankar Jaikishan baton that immediately uplifts the mood.
Tumne pukara aur hum chale aaye – Rajkumar- There is the “it” factor in Rajkumar’s songs which makes you come back to it time and again. Hasrat Jaipuri’s opening phrase has long entered the realm of a ‘dictum’ or an ‘adage’ than being just a song lyric. The poetic flavor in the antaras stimulates the heart.
Ghungharwa mora chham chham baaje – Zindagi – There is nothing singular about Shankar Jaikishan’s music. It’s always layered. In this song the voice quality is impeccable but it’s the chham-chham that resonates throughout which thumps the hearbeat.
Chhoti si mulaqat pyaar ban gayi – Chhoti Si Mulaqat – The Ya ya yipee yipee makes you go yipee every time you hear the number !
Duniya isi ka naam duniya isi ko kahte hain – Duniya -A thoughtful number reverbating some hard truths about the world and life. I like the number for its matter of fact approach in tuning and music.
Teen baje bola tha baj gaye char – Duniyadari - A fun song on Asrani and Aruna Irani (IIRC) and sung by Asha Bhonsle and the still raw Amit Kumar. Keeps you swaying!
Baaton mein na taaloji dil de daaloji – Kanch Ki Deewar – All those who grew up watching Chitrahar will immediately recall this number from a little known 1986 film(one of the last few of Shankar’s). It used to be quite a staple then. Smita Patil and Sanjeev Kumar dance to this zesty ditty in a party (in the typically eighties garish costumes!) with Rajan Sippy trying to gain unnecessary attention. It’s quite sometime since I heard the number, but putting it here in the list for nostalgia’s sake!
Tum pyaar se dekho hum pyaar se dekhen -Sapno Ka Saudagar- Hema Malini’s debut film didn’t boast of very great music but there were a couple of songs that showed the same luminous aura which made Shankar Jaikishan a household name. This Sharda-Mukesh duet is one of them. A very neat and uncluttered song.
Sau baras ki zindagi se achche hain pyar ke do char din – Sachai – This is what I call a cute romantic number!
Tum haseen main jawaan – Title Song – This laugh riot starring Dharmendra and Hema Malini (about a navy man with an unwanted toddler) had some interesting music (including Suman Kalyanpur’s solo Kamdev jaisi teri suratiya and Rafisaab’s Dil achcha hai achchi hai soorat).
Aaj kal tere mere pyar ke charche – Brahmchari- Now, is there anything to write on this super-duper-bumper hit of a song?Shankar Jaikishan won an award for this score!
Dil usse do jo jaan de de – Andaz – Not very great, but still a good hummable number. Finds a mention on this list because Andaz had overall good music, if not matching up to the standards Shankar Jaikishan themselves built!
Chhatri na khol udd jaayegi – Do Jhoot -Kishore Kumar and Usha Mangeshkar whip up a storm in this jovial song. Those who were Vividh Bharti regulars will recognize this number easily.
Tu mera din hai mai teri raat aaja har raat teri meri hogi mulaqat aaja (Choron ka maal sab chor kha gaye) – Sanyasi -Ok I admit. I have a love for Sanyasi’s music bordering on obsession, right from my childhood. It’s simply impossible to describe but the music in this typically seventies melodrama is absolutely stunning, resonating and tickling. I know many would disagree. While the lion’s share is sung by Lata Mangeshkar, this duet is by Suman Kalyanpur (with Mukesh).
Related Reading - Shankar Jaikishan Expressions-1
Lata Mangeshkar Sings For Shankar Jaikishan
Whither Shankar Jaikishan?
*Statistics courtesy-Shankar Jaikishan Yahoo Group
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Thursday, 10. May 2007 9:11
May I say – GOld!
Thursday, 10. May 2007 9:21
Music treat is back. Like you said – Rajukmar had ‘it’ factor. All the songs were superb. I especially liked – “Is Rang Badalti Duniya Mein”(little music, you see
)
Sanyasi – Nice songs, really. Tu Hai Bal Brhamachari Mai Hoon Kanya Kumari.
Chhoti Si Mulqat – Ya Ya Yippie – Yes yes. I loved it too. Especially the way Rafi says “Galley” intead of “Galey”!
Incidentally my cable is showing that Kanch Ki Diwar song quite regularly these days
Nice list deepak.
Thursday, 10. May 2007 10:49
“Non- Lata Mangeshkar Duets” Hey what a conincident!!!!!
I also made a small post (was there since long) on Non-Lata Mangeshkar duet (about a song) and already posted and will be there today afternoon.
I will read this post later on. I know it’s going to be very nice post (as usual)
See ya
Thursday, 10. May 2007 11:47
Hi DJ, Enjoyed the post. Listened to most of the songs and missed ‘Chitrahar’. Most of the radio stations plays the same ‘aaj ka hit’. Or the oldies are chronologically of the same age or movie. Sure do need a station that mixes and gives a surprise with every song. Or may be theme…Just thinking.
Friday, 11. May 2007 5:26
Manish- Bilkul sirji, GOLD aapka, and that too on a musical post, bhai wah! Thanks… and yes, i wish i could hear the Kanch Ki Deewar song again
Juneli – Read it and will await your detailed comments…
Vidya – I think the FM’s are too youth oriented to think of these songs. AIR FM GOLD does play old songs in between and can sometime throw up good surprises. Else, I am sure Vividh Bharti is still alive…
Sunday, 13. May 2007 16:45
O.K. Here I’m
I’m too busy to give a detail comment
.
But one thing I want to say here that I also had same impression with the song “Dil apna aur preet parai…” and other song… “bahena ne bhai …”
Many female singers – Sharda, Suman Kalyanpur, Vani Jayaram, Hemlata, Arati Mukharjee, Anuradha of course Alka came to give competition to Lata di but Suman Kalyanpur was best among them and closest to Lata di.
It’s really a treat to read your post on music but I felt you have made this post in a hurry
Nice list
.
. Keep it up 
Your list made to go past….. reminded me many things…
Sunday, 27. May 2007 5:32
Hey deepak….One glaring absence is the evergreen Mujhko Apne Gale Laga Lo Ae Mere Hamrahi…..!
Monday, 28. May 2007 7:57
Juneli – Thanks…but not really done up in a hurry.
Star Sailor – Oops, yes, I missed that one!
Tuesday, 12. June 2007 13:22
[...] With HMV holding a treasure trove of music rights, the company has a formidable responsibility in educating the young generation about the values of the undoubtedly Golden Era of Hindi Film Music the fifties and the sixties. They have to go beyond just making quick bucks in releasing shoddily done up remixes (when they have the originals with them!). Till a few years up to his death, RD Burman was a lost entity, but the collective force of media, Ashaji and the music industry revived his memory a big way posthumously. Similar effort needs to be done for Shankar Jaikishan as well. The Golden Era of Music has to be informed and told to all. And in that, they have to rightfully return the crown to the shahanshahs of that time – Shankar Jaikishan! Related Readings – Shankar Jaikishan Expressions: Mukesh’s Sad SongsLataji Sings for Shankar Jaikishan – A List of My Favorite SongsShankar Jaikishan Expressions-2: Non-Lata Mangeshkar DuetTechnorati : Asha Bhonsle, Lata Mangeshkar, Mohd. Rafi, Mukesh, Shankar Jaikishan [...]
Sunday, 6. July 2008 15:50
I do agree that S-J were unarguably the best. But,I have a grouse that there is a general feeling among all the music lovers that only Jaikishan was the composer of the duo. This misconception is due the fact that theS-J. music had declined after the death of J.But it is not true. on the contrary , Shankar was not only equal but was first amongst the equals.
Tuesday, 14. October 2008 16:51
It is my considered opinion that wilful efforts have been made to belittle the greatness and memory of SHANKER JAIKISHAN.Today’s generation know so little about them.An impression is made that old music just consisted of the songs of OP NAYYAR and RD BURMAN.The great music of Barsar Aawara,Shri420.JIS DESH MEIN GANGA BAHATI HAI.Sangam.Mera naaam joker is attributed to Raj Kapoor’s choice of tunes and lyrics.The mind blowing songs and music of Jungli.JAANWAR.Boy Friend.Professor,An evening in Paris.Bhramachari etc. are attributed to flamboyance of Shammi Kapoor.even in his interviews Shammi Kapoor has not even once ackowledged the contribution of Shanker-Jaikishan’s music in his success.
Friday, 2. January 2009 15:39
Dear All S-J Lovers,
I don’t agree with the opinion of Mr. J. K. Mehta that people don’t know much about SHANKAR-JAIKISHAN’s contribution to HFM. In fact they are still known for their 9 times winning of filmfare awards, Padmashree, and two times President Awards (if I am not wrong). Apart from this they also won the awad of best music director for their debut, “BOOT POLISH” at Cannes Film fare, France.
Thursday, 5. February 2009 19:14
Mr.PK Gupta all got me wrong.My point was that in today’s scenario the names of Shankar Jaikishan have been pushed in the background.Their songs are ofcourse played but to the credit of the actors singing them on the screen.Modern generation knows so little about them and this exactly is what that pains me aa lot as I have been such a staunch follower of these legendary duo.No channel ever observs their birth or death anniversary.Their names are almost nonexistent for the GEN X.I wish some award is instituted in their names by FILMFARE or someone else which not only enhances the exellence in music but also let the people know that at one time such great music directors lived and composed great ‘immortal melodies.
Sunday, 18. April 2010 18:42
To all sj fans,it is true that greatness of sj being undermined and sadly they were not given the due importance despite their immense contribution to FM which took a great heights.Those who benefited with their music for success of their career are ignoring their role or avoiding to mention.even media is not paying much attention to the contribution of sj.It is the duty of every sj fan to bring their greatness to every music lover
Sunday, 14. November 2010 7:51
It gives me tremendous pleasure when I come across so many fans of the legendary hindi film music director duo Shankar Jaikishan.They will remain all time best music composers in Hindi Cinema.Their contribution to the music world is second to none.Though their songs are still played on various radio stations/tv channels, enough creit is not being given to them.They are the recepients of the maximum number of filmfare awards and hence it is for Film Fare to institute a suitable music awards in his name.All efforts should be made by all his fans to keep alive these maestros in the hearts of the new generation. Beginning can be made by informing about the artistic greatness of this duo to their children and then their relatives and friends.Gradually the efforts should be spread through other media.The fans of SJ should buy their CDs and play the same at home so that the children and the other listeners will eventually recognise and appreciate the true worth of this immortal duo.This is because normally everybody in the ultimate analysis will like sweet and hummable songs.If nothing is done in this direction the day is not far when the name of this genious will be found in archives.Let us do our best to prevent this eventuality.
Thursday, 17. March 2011 12:29
How can you miss
Mujhko apne gale laga lo Film Humrahi One of the 5 best duets composed by SJ
and
Itna hai tumse Pyar
Kaise samjhaoon
O ek bar ata hai gems from Suraj
Thursday, 5. May 2011 10:24
suman kalyanpur one of my favourite singer pata nahi ku music director lata ji ke hi peeche bhagte rahe or suman ji ki andekhi kar di ..itni achi awaaj ki malika ko waiste kar diya ye hamare liye durbhagya ki baat he but suman kalyanpur ji ne jitne bhi gaane gaye sab ek se badkar ek he gems. suman kalyanpur ji u r great singer of hindi cinema.
Friday, 13. May 2011 8:16
Thanks for your message, Suhani. But my views differ. Lata Didi is way above Suman K and I guess that’s why composers chose Latadi. Just my views.
Saturday, 17. March 2012 20:39
shankar jaikishan were the king of kings among music directors of golden era they were popular all over the world their songs are liked by the modern generation the modern generation is very much familiar with the name of shankar jaikishan who is unaware about the dashing personality of the great jaikishan both shankar and jaikishan were very well talented in a function young generation were dancing on the tunes of sj like jan pehchan ho aai aai aa suku suku savere wali gadi se chale jayege andaz mera mastana yeih chand aur sitare aajkal tere mere pyar ke charche and many many more they know very well about the popularity of shankar jaikishan those who love soulful music will definately love shankar jaikishan.
Thursday, 19. April 2012 20:11
SJ is the Greatest and unparalleled.No one can reach him and Modan Mohan is the Melody Sahenshah.