Shanker Jaikishen - The Trend Setters, Experimenters and Innovators

Shri Subhash Tiwari writer

of this article

I think it would be proper to dwell a little on the contribution of Shanker Jaikishen as “Trend Setters”, “Experimenters”, and “Innovators”. Actually the cue for this article lies in a discussion on SJ Forum, where one of the participants questioned the Capabilities of SJ vis-à-vis other MDs. With due regards to the abilities of those other MDs and without any offence to them, I insist that SJ were the most important Thing which happened to Hindi Film Music. Let us take a Look at these 3 words, “Trend Setter” “Experimenter”, and “Innovator” Trend Setter is the One who sets the Ball Rolling and others to follow suit. As I stated in my previous post, the 1st era of Hindi Film Music had a Typical Theatrical Composition with a Monotonous Style of singing whether it was KLS, Punkuj Mullick or KC Dey. But the people who created that type of music, did start in Mid 30’s by people like RC Boral who were the Trend setters for that Era. Then came Naushad, who composed “Hum Jeeke Kya Karenge Jab Dil Hi Toot Gaya, from “Shahjahan” in 1946, a song which Joined the 1st and 2nd Era. It was Naushad who introduced multi piece Orchestra to Hindi Film Music. He changed the “Single Octave” compositions to “One and Half Octave” compositions just because he got a Great Voice with immense range, “The Phenomenon called Mohd Rafi”. Remember the Orchestration and Chorus of “Udan Khatola” song “O Door Ke Musafir” in 1955. Till then even SJ were not using that type of Orchestra. Their songs comprised highlights of individual instruments, like Mandolin and Accordion in Awara songs, (Even the great dream song had only a few instruments, with a special crescendo effect in the end). So the credit for Setting the Trend of High Octave songs and Orchestration in the 2nd Era goes to Naushad Ali.It was the 3rd ling Era of nearly 25 years which saw all the things together from Shanker Jaikishen, called Experimentation, Trend Settings and Innovations.Trend Setting is “Doing something, which makes others to follow suit. About their Trend Setting, as I wrote in earlier post, the songs before them generally started directly with the voice of the singer without any prelude or with a couplet and the main song followed. Even SJ made use of a couplet, though only once or twice, like “Dil ko tujhase bedili hai” in Yahudi.Before their appearance on the scene whatever Prelude was heard, it was a short 4-5 second musical play of some instrument without a definite structure.

It was SJ who introduced the melodious Preludes, in Barsaat, Awara, Shree 420, Chori Chori. They compelled everyone to come along. Their Interludes were having a Distinct Structure in themselves, which one could Whistle, Hum or Play on instruments. Moreover the 1st and 2nd Interludes were nearly always different from each other. That is what is called Trend setting.

An Experiment is “Doing something, the result of which is not known, even to the performer”. By that definition, each Music Director offering New Tunes to his Producers and Audience, is an Experimenter, without knowing what is going to happen to his creation. But a True Experimenter is confident of his actions that these are going to be successful and not the disasters. By that guideline, Shanker Jaikishen experimented with Classical Music, Western Music, Fusion of these 2 Streams, Solo Musical Compositions without any Vocal Component, and surprisingly, each of their Experiment was a huge success. Remember the Sadhana’Shammi dance Dilruba Dil Pe Tu, purely on strings and percussions in “Rajkumar”, Waheeda’s dance in “Roop Ki Raani”, Vyjayantimal’s “Bakad Bam Bam” in Kathputali. They experimented with 2 distinct songs in continuity like “Tere Bina Aag Ye Zindagi’ and “ Ghar Aaya Mera Pardesi”, The list goes on.. The best Experiment from SJ was the Creation of “Raga –The Jazz Style”.

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Raga-Jazz-Style/106428702780785?sk=wall

Regarding Innovation, it is Doing something for the 1st time which No one Else has done before them. Now that is a long list. As someone on this forum called innovation as “making use of some thing for some other thing to produce music”, I do not agree. That may be labeled as “Special Effect” but not Innovation. Using Sand Papers and Combs, Spoons and Glasses is no innovation in my opinion. Of course each of us is free to have his viewpoint, but majority of Hindi Film Music Fans would agree that Shanker Jaikishen did so many things which no one had attempted before them and hence they were the Real Innovators in Music. Their Persistent memory with Millions of Fans across the Globe is the Proof of above postulations.

Shankar-Jaikishan Musical "Live" on 13th November 2010

Shankar-Jaikishan Musical "Live" You Might Attend · Share · Public Event

Time	Saturday, November 13 · 8:30pm - 11:30pm
Location	Dinanath Mangeshkar Hall, Ville Parle East, Mumbai.. Opp V.Parle Station.. Mumbai, India
Created By	Binu Nair
More Info	TOP PROFESSIONAL SINGERS FROM THE STAGE CIRCUIT WILL PRESENT EVERGREEN and UNFORGETTABLE S.J. Hits. Mukesh styled versatile singer SRIKANT KULKARNI - a veteran in his own right has sung along with Lata Mangeshkar on STAGE. He has undertaken 'many' world tours with leading music composers. Very HUMBLE in his approach towards his singing trade. A PLAY-BACK SINGER Too. Hamid Khan, the 22 year lad from Bangalore has been creating musical waves and attracting fans all over by his competent rendering of MOHD RAFI SONGS. Most of his dates get booked - as INVITATIONS TO SING MOHD RAFI SONGS pour from all corners of India. A very humble person, known for his time discipline and soulful rendition of RAFI SONGS. MONA KAMATH : THE ELECTRICAL ENGINEER AND SINGER - all rolled in to one. Was the semi-finalist in the ZEE SA RE GA MA show. Currently attracting hordes of fans for songs of LATA AND ASHA which she essays - perfectly on stage. A very talented SINGER who is bound to make waves. Sang for Marathi films too. MUKESH BHANUSHALI : IS a compulsive quality singer who does RIYAAZ for few hours daily. A very GREAT MOHD RAFI FAN, Mukesh is always looking for RARE and GREAT SONGS - to be presented from the GOLDEN ERA. SHANKAR-JAIKISHAN were the greatest musical duo to have graced the world of Hindi Cinema. The awesome body of work Shankar Jaikishan musical team produced have become IMMORTAL and LIVES on in the hearts, minds and lips of music fans all over the globe . SHANKAR JAIKISHAN team revolutionised the use of ORCHESTRA and INTERLUDE music in songs and made these as integral and inseperable parts of their compositions rather that using these as mere fillers, as was the case until their arrival on the musical horizons. That's why prelude, interlude and background music of many of their songs are as popular and notable and hummable as the tune of the main song. Due to their vast knowledge and comand over various forms of music, the SHANKAR - JAIKISHAN team came out winners in any type of diverse films irrespective of its theme and subject. Presented by : The Rafi Foundation Cell : 9833 250 701 ( Mumbai) Binu Mair

Mastery over chorus : Shanker-Jaikishen's compositions

By: Shashi Hegde

It seems to be becoming a repetition always- Think of something special in Hindi film music and you cant think of anyone before Shankar Jaikishan.

Have you anytime thought about the role of Chorus in film songs? It is such an important thing in film songs which in addition to suit the situation and picturisation in the film, adds to the beauty of the song. It is a part of decorating the song as Shankaralways said.

I would like to remember a few songs among innumerable S-J songs where the choral singing was redefined. It is amazing how S-J handled the chorus. Their choice of the number of singers in a chorus, the composition of male and female singers was impeccable and it is impossible to find fault with the chorus in an S-J song- even if you are a S-J critic!

1.Barsaat mein – Lata & Chorus-Shailendra (Barsat): The ‘Omkara’ in choral singing – the first ever song to make use of chorus in real grandeur. The use of male and female chorus separately and the ‘Tak dhina din’ mark the beginning of glorious S-J saga in choral singing. (I also mention Patli kamar hai from the same film)
2.(a)Tere bina aag / Ghar aaya mere pardesi – Lata , Manna Dey & Chours- Shailendra (Awara): Another pioneer in Hindi films, being the first dream song. How well S-J gave life to RK’s dream with their tune and superb choral singing.
(b)Naiyaa teri mazdar- Rafi & Chorus- Shailendra (Awara): Just note the co- ordination between the male and female choral singing and that of Rafi- brilliant!
3.Jhanan jhanan-Lata & Chorus-Hasrat (Aah): The romance of RK and choral singing continued. A brilliant dance number with superb female chorus.
4.Gul muskura utha-Lata & Chorus-Shailendra (Badshah) : Compare the all male Chorus of this song with the previous one and you will know why S-J were genius!
5.Rat gayi-MannaDey, Asha & Cho- Deepak (Boot Polish): The use of high pitched female and base male chorus is too good for not mentioning it.
6.Holi ayi pyari pyari-Rafi, Lata & Cho-Shailendra( Pooja): The spirit of Holi emerges in full colour thro the chorus joinin Lata and Rafi.
7.Tu pyar ka sagar hai-Manna Dey & Cho-Shailendra (Seema): What can I say? The use of female chorus for singing mukhda and Manna Dey joining them in interlude makes it the best bhajan where chorus is used. (Any way, it is the best bhajan ever created with or without chorus!)
8.Ramayya vastavayya-Lata, Rafi, Mukesh & Cho: By this time it was clear that the RK film should have a chorus number and what a magic S-J have weaved to make this greatest theme song immortal.
9.Rajhath: Out of the 11 songs in the film, 6 songs have chorus! I think it is a record as far has Hindi films are concerned. The male chorus in the war song Chale sipahi; the female chorus in Aaja aaja nadiya kinare, Nache ang ang, Pyare babul se bhichadke, Nadiya kinare phiroon are as good as S-J use of chorus get.
10.(a) Pawan ganga with Tarana-Lata & Cho-Shailendra (Patrani)
(b) Rang rangeela paghiya-Lata & Cho- Shailendra(Patrani)
I don’t think the choral singing can get any better than these two classics. The tunes of both the two songs are based on centuries old traditional music. Masterpieces in true sense of the word!
11. Bol mere malik-Lata & Cho-Hasrat (Halaku): Chorus in Mukhda and interludes is Outstanding.
12.(a) Panchi banoo-Lata & Cho-Hasrat (Chori Chori): Use of Manna
Dey’s voice along with the chorus makes it the first of its kind.
(b) Us par sajan-Lata & Cho-Hasrat- A very unique use of chorus in a
unique song.
13.Na bure na bhale-Lata & Cho-Shailendra (Kismat ka khel): A brilliantly written song composed in rock and roll style. The song begins with chorus and the chorus (both male and female in terrific co-ordination) gets as much importance as Lata.
14. Nakhrewali-Kishore & Cho-Shailendra (New Delhi): Take out the chorus and imagine the song- incomplete, Right? Brilliant use of chorus in a song the like of which can never be created again! (5 out of 10 songs in this film have chorus)
15.(a) Aaja rat beeti jaye-Usha Khanna, Kishore & Cho-Shailendra (Begunaah): A brilliant, brilliant song with unparalleled use of chorus. S-J leave us gasping for their sheer imagination in this composition.
(b) Nazar kahe aaja-Lata & Cho-Shailendra (Begunaah): The female chorus
makes this already sweet composition even sweeter.
16.Bol ri katputli-Lata & Cho-Shailendra (Katputli): Guess what? S-J came up with Chorus as Counter melody! The chorus is as brilliant as the composition itself.
17.Meri jaan meri jaan-Lata & Cho-Shailendra (Yahudi): Note the interactive use of Chorus with Lata.
18.(a) O berehem tere sitam-Manna Dey, Lata & Cho-Shailendra( BaaghiSipahi)
My personal favourite! The use of Opera style Chorus found a grand
entry in HFM courtesy, S-J. A breath taking composition!
(b) Choona lena mujhe-Manna Dey, Asha & Cho-Shailendra( Baaghi Sipahi)
The Mukhda is reserved for the chorus in this song which is 24 carat
pleasure.
19.Ab kahan jaye hum-Manna Dey & Cho-Shailendra( Ujala): S-J took off where
they had left in Baaghi sipahi. The opera style chorus with the normal male chorus defies words for description. Use of chorus as countermelody makes you wish this song never ends.
20.Hum hai to chand aur tare-Mukesh & Cho-Hasrat (MNMH): Note how the chorus was used to suit Mukesh.
21.Dil se dil takraye-Rafi, Geeta & Cho- Shailendra(Love Marriage): Like before, note the novelty in the chorus and the effect it has with the trumpet, accordion and the deadly combo of Rafi and Geeta Dutt.
22.Ninteen fifty six-Manna Dey, Lata & Cho- The song rocks even today and how well it is ornated by the Chorus that only S-J could put in.
23.(a) Hum bhi hai-Lata, Geeta, Manna, Mahendra, Mukesh & Cho-
Shailendra(JDMGBH) : the film had to have this as it was an RK film.
b) Aa ab laut chale-Mukesh & Cho-Shailendra( JDMGBH): If it was
MannaDey with the chorus in Chori chori, it was Lata’s turn now.
The subtle chorus singing in tandem with Lata’s part gives one an
idea of the depth in S-J compositions.
24.Nee baliye-Mukesh, Lata & Cho-Shailendra (Kanhaiya): Outstanding use of
Chorus makes you realize the composition is not as simple as it sounds.
25.Ajeeb dastan hai yeh-Lata & Cho-Shailendra( DAPP): The subtleness of the opera style chorus makes you wonder if the voice is real or virtual!
26.Yeh to kaho kaun hot tum-Mukesh & Cho-Shailendra (Aashiq): A trade mark S-J Chorus with words and phrases that stump you everytime you listen!
27.Ek sawal mein karoon-Lata, Rafi & Cho-Shailendra (Sasural) : The use of chorus is in line with the lyrics that only Shailendra could write!
28.Ab char dinon ki chutti hai-Rafi & Cho-Hasrat (Aas ka panchi): A fine qawwali style composition with apt chorus
29.Dil ek mandir hai-Suman, Rafi-Hasrat (Dil ek mandir): The chorus in the prelude and interludes is mindblowing.
30.Dil ka kanwal denge-Lata, Cho-Shailendra (Zindagi): The chorus is there and seems as if it is not there in this gem of a song! Only S-J could create this virtual choral effect.
31.NACHO GAO NACHO-Chorus- Shailendra( Amrapali) – Sometimes silence
speaks more than the words. For this composition, I remain silent coz I don’t have words to describe it!

shashivh@yahoo.co.in