Kalyanji with his brother Anandji, started an orchestral group called Kalyanji Virji and Party in the 50's which organised musical shows in Mumbai and outside. When big music directors like S.D. Burman, Hemant Kumar, Madan Mohan, Naushad, Shankar Jaikishan and Ravi were ruling the Hindi film music world and it was a golden period of film music it was very tough to make a place amongst them. Still Kalyanji Anandji came and won the hearts and minds of Indian people. Kalyanji - Anandji’s forte was sweet and simple melody with a modern flavour given to a classical base. Kalyanji-Anandji's variety-studded music is complete with some of the topmost songs of all singers and genres. Both Kalyanji and Anandji worked as music composers for over 250 films, 17 of which were golden jubilees and 39 silver. They were tireless in discovering new talents and grooming them, as well. Manhar Udhas, Kumar Sanu, Alka Yagnik, Sadhna Sargam, Sapna Mukherjee, Udit Narayan, Sunidhi Chauhan, now very popular names, were nurtured as singers and got their first breaks from Kalyanji Anandji. Fellow composers Laxmikant Pyarelal, before becoming famous, worked as music assistants to Kalyanji Anandji.

I have selected Johny Mera Naam as it has wide variety of songs - from peppy and romantic O Mere Raaja , Pal Bhar Ke Liye and Nafrat Karne Wale to Devotional Babul Pyare and finally to sexy cabaret number Husn Ke Lakhon Rang. I like their less is more approach and they proved that it is not necessary to crowd the songs with too much orchestration or instrumentation and even simple tunes can be so effective.

They were very selective and the result was consistantly superb music in films like ‘Jab Jab Phool Khile’ (which has beautiful verson of Besame Mucho in Yeh Samaan) , ‘Himalay Ki God Mein’, ‘Upkar’, ‘Saraswatichandra’, ‘Safar’, ‘Mere Humsafar’, ‘Johny Mera Naam’, ‘Apradh’, ‘Victoria No. 203’, ‘Zanjeer’, ‘Kora Kagaz’, ‘Haath Ki Safai’ (which has the timeless classic Wada Kar Ke Saajana), ‘Dharmatma’, ‘Don’, ‘Muqaddar Ka Sikkandar’, ‘Qurbani’, ‘Lawaris and ‘Tridev’ (excellent contribution from son Viju Shah).

So get these albums which will enamour you with sheer melody and simplicity.

Released on Plolydor Label in 1970.

Reviewed by Pilak Bhatt

Pilak Bhatt is a 54 year old Mumbai resident who is still keeping the turntable spinning. Bhatt is one of many avid LP record collectors in the country and also around the world who has a passion for music and collecting LP records. Bhatt has a collection of almost 1 lac LP records. He buys and sells LPs, advises on turntables and has his own Music Circle shop at Kandivili, Mumbai that stocks loads of LPs.  He can be contacted on 9820365979.