Shanker-Jaikishan was a musical pair in Hindi films from 1949 to 1971. Shanker Singh Ram Singh Raghuvanshi (1922–1987) and Jai Kishan Dayabhai Panchal (1929–1971) were a composer duo in Hindi films. They were all-time outstanding composers. Their songs were all-time hits. They composed musical scores for 136 films. Their songs were melody raga-based, as well as rich in orchestration. They collaborated with legendary singers like Mukesh, Mohammed Rafi, Manna Dey, Kishore Kumar, Talat Mahmood, Lata Mangeshkar, Asha Bhosle, and Sharada (Singer). Also, they worked with lyricists like Shailendra and Hasrat Jaipuri.
Shanker Jaikishan composed timeless and enduring melodies in the 1950s, 60s, and early 1970s. Jaikishan died in 1971. After the death of Jaikishan, Shanker continued as music director with the same name, Shanker Jaikishan, till 1987. Shanker died in 1987.
Shanker Jaikishan started their career in 1949 with Raj Kapoor’s Barsaat. This film was a breakthrough for both S-J and Lata Mangeshkar. They became famous thereafter.
Some fine songs of this film are —
Hawa mein udta jaye
Jiya beqrar hai
Barsaat mein humse mile
It is said — Barsaat is ideally one of Hindi cinema’s best soundtracks. Then came Awaara with the same Raj Kapoor (1951). This film also came as a musical hit. In fact, Shanker Jaikishan were instrumental in Raj Kapoor’s musical hits. It was a superb chapter in Indian cinema. “Ghar aaya Pardesi” and “Awaara Hoon” were the tones of Mukesh which became Raj Kapoor’s tone. The voice of Mukesh became the voice of Raj Kapoor.
When Mukesh died, Raj Kapoor said — “Meri awaaz chali gayi.”
Several films came later on —
Daag (1952), Patita (1953), Aah (1953), Boot Polish (1954).
These films had significant songs —
“Ae mere Dil Kahin aur Chal” (Daag)
“Yaad Kiya dil ne” (Patita)
“Nanhe munne bachche teri mutthi mein kya hai” (Boot Polish)
There are many more numbers —
“Mera joota hai Japani”, “Mud mud ke na dekh”
“Panchhi banoo udte phiroon” (Chori Chori)
“Aaja Sanam Madhur chandni mein hum” (Chori Chori)
Chori Chori won the first Filmfare Award for Shanker Jaikishan.
Shanker Jaikishan made a significant contribution to promoting Indian classical music. At least one song based on semi-classical style was in each of their films. S-J gave a new style to sad songs by composing them in a fast tempo.
“Tera Jana Dil Ke Armanon” (Anari)
“Aye mere dil Kahin aur chal” (Daag)
“Haye Tu Hi Gaya Mohe bhool re” (Kathputli)
The contribution of Shanker Jaikishan to Hindi films was outstanding, especially to Raj Kapoor’s musical hits. Without S-J, Raj Kapoor would have been less successful. Frankly speaking.
(The views expressed are the writer’s own.)
Radhakanta Seth is a Former Income tax officer in Sambalpur. He is a Freelance writer and his articles have been published in some Oriya dailies like Sambad, Samaj, Dharitri and English dailies like The Telegraph and in a sociological journal ‘Folklore’ published from Kolkata.
(Photo has collected from net )