Shankar-Jaikishan were the greatest musical duo to have graced the world of Hindi cinema. So great was the impact of their creative genius that it had a lasting impact on the music of the Hindi films. Shankar-Jaikishan understood the taste of the masses, were able to cater to them, as well as moulded their tastes. No wonder then that during their tenure as music directors, they were exceedingly popular and 75 per cent of the films for which their scores were reounding hits - many have celebrated silver jubilees.

Shankar was born as Shankar Singh Raghuvanshi on October 15, 1922. His fathers name was Ram Singh Raghuvanshi, while Jaikishan was born as Jaikishan Dayabhai Paanchal on November 4, 1932 in Basanda, Gujrat. Neither Shankar nor Jaikishan were keen on education. Their schooling, as best, may be considered as scanty. Their love for music lured them away from any kind of systematic scholastic persuit.

Shankar's passion was the tabla. He learnt the fundamentals from Baba Nasir Khansahib. Through ceaseless practice and marathon riyaaz sessions, he mastered his skills and developed his own style. Jaikishan's interests were singing and playing harmonium. His first lessons in music were with Sangeet Visharad Wadilalji. He studied clasical music from Prem Shankar Nayak. On moving to Bombay, he studied under Vinayak Tambe. Shankar and Jaikishan, throughout their career, preferred their own favourite instruments: the tabla and the harmonium.

Shankar, initially joined a theatre group run by Satyanarayan and Hemawati. He then become a member of Prithvi Theatres, where he played the tabla and undertook minor roles in the company's plays. Jaikishan was on the lookout for a job related to music and Shankar introduced him to Prithvi thetres as a harmonium player. Susequently, they worked as assistants to the celebrated composer pair Husnlal-Bhagatram and imbibed much of their form and structure, which they successfully employed in a refined style. Shankar-Jaikishan both had a penchant for acting. Initially they happily undertook bit roles in Prithvi Theatres' plays, and, later they both played significant roles in the company's play Pathan. Shankar played a fisherman in R.K films Aag (1948), while Jaikishan acted in two films : Shri 420 (1955) and Begunaah (1957). The popular song 'Aei Pyaase Dil Bezubaan..' from the film Begunaah was picturised on him.

Raj Kapoor introduced Shankar-Jaikishan to the Film world with Barsaat (1949). Barsaat was also the first film for the lyricists Shailendra and Hasrat Jaipuri. The team thus formed with Barsaat remained as a unit till the end. Together they gave a number of hits like: Barsat, Aah, Aawara, Shri 420, Chori-Chori, Boot Polish, Ab Dilli Door Nahin, Anari, Jis Desh Me Ganga Behti Hai, Main Nashe Me Hoon, Aashiq, Deewana, Ek Dil Sau Afsaane, Sangam, Teesri Kasam and Mera Naam Jokar. Shankar-Jaikishan mainly worked with Shailendra and Hasrat Jaipuri. Apart from the personal preference and proximity related to friendship, this division of work was more in accordance with the composition patterns of the two composers. Shankar always loved composing serious thematic songs witha lot of emotional content that only Shailendra could do justice to, whereas Jaikishan was more into composing light hearted romatntic songs that came so naturally to Hasrat Jaipuri.

The superb chemistry between these four was not merely because they were great artists. It was more because they were all great friends and companions who who enjoyed each other's company to the fullest. So many songs came into being, based on their real life co-experiences. Like 'Mud Mud Ke Na Dekh' from Shri 420 was an on the spot creation by Shailendra who was teasing Jaikishan for looking back repeatedly at a passer by - a beautiful lady, of course! 'Ramaiya Vasta Vaiya' from the same film sparked off when these friends,going on a walk, happened to listen to a folk song sung by some building workers nearby.

Then came the black day of December 13, 1966 when lyricist Shailendra left the material world. With the sad demise of Hasrat Jaipuri the dream team disintegrated. The remaining three members could never really revive the magic of old and their combined work over the next few years was nothing to cheer about. On 12th September 1971, Jaikishan took his final bow from the stage and left the scene forever. Although Shankar still continued to compose under the Shankar-Jaikishan label for many more years, it wasn't even a patch on the vintage S-J stuff. On 26th April 1987, Shankar also bid us final adieu.

Though today, these four great artists are no more with us, their legacy - the superb songs they made together have become an integral part of every music lover's psyche.
Extracts taken from Nerurkar's 'Saat Suron Ka Saath '

FILMOGRAPHY
1. Barsaat
2. Aawara
3. Baadal
4. Kaali Ghata
5. Nageena
6. Daag
7. Parbat
8. Poonam
9. Aah
10. Aas
11. Aurat
12. Naya Ghar
13. Patita
14. Shikast
15. Badshah
16. Boot Polish
17. Mayur Pankh
18. Pooja
19. Seema
20. Shri 420
21. Basant Bahaar
22. Chori Chori
23. Halaku
24. Kismat Ka Khel
25. New Delhi
26. Patrani
27. Rajhath
28. Begunaah
29. Kathputli
30. Baaghi Sipaahi
31. Yahudi
32. Anari
33. Chhoti Bahen
34. Kanahiya
35. Love Marriage
36. Main Nashe Me Hoon
37. Shararat
38. Ujala
39. College Girl
40. Dil Apna Aur Preet Parayee
41. Ek phool Char Kaante
42. Jis Desh me Ganga Behti Hai
43. Singapur
44. Aas Ka Panchhi
45. Boy Friend
46. Jab Pyar Kisise Hota Hai
47. Junglee
48. Karorpati
49. Roop Ki Rani Choron Ka Raja
50. Sasuraal
51. Aashiq
52. Asli Naqli
53. Dil Tera Diwana
54. Hariyali Aur Rasta
55. Professor
56. Rangoli
57. Dil Ek Mandir
58. Ek Dil Sau Afsane
59. Hamraahi
60. Aai Milan Ki Bela
61. Apne Hue Paraye
62. April Fool
63. Beti Bete
64. Rajkumar
65. Sanjh Aur Savera
66. Sangam
67. Zindagi
68. Aarzoo
69. Gumnaam
70. Jaanwar
71. Aamrapaali
72. Badtameez
73. Gaban
74. Love In Tokyo
75. Pyar Mohabbat
76. Sooraj
77. Teesri Kasam
78. Aman
79. An Everning In Paris
80. Around The World
81. Chhoti Si Mulaqat
82. Diwana
83. Gunahon Ka Devta
84. Hare Kaanch Ki Chhodiyan
85. Laat Sahab
86. Raat Aur Din [1949]
87. Brahmchari
88. Duniya
89. Jhuk Gaya Aasman
90. Kahin Aur Chal
91. Kanyadaan
92. Mere Huzoor
93. Sapno Ka Saudagar
94. Shikaar
95. Bhai Bahen
96. Chanda Aur Bijli
97. Jahan Pyar Mile
98. Prince
99. Pyar Hi Pyar
100. Sachchai
101. Shatranj
102. Tumse Achha Kaun Hai
103. Yakeen
104. Bhai Bhai
105. Dharti
106. Mera Naam Jokar
107. Pagla Kahin Ka
108. Pehchaan
109. Tum Haseen Main Jawan
110. Umang
111. Albela
112. Andaaz
113. Balidaan
114. Duniya Kya Jaane
115. Ek Nari Ek Brahmchari
116. Ek Paheli
117. Alaan
118. Jaane Anjaane
119. Jawan Mohabbat
120. Jwalaa
121. Kal Aaj Aur Kal
122. Laal Patthar
123. Main Sundar Hoon
124. Naadan
125. Parde Ke Peechhe
126. Patanga
127. Preetam
128. Seema
129. Aan Baan
130. Aankh Micholi
131. Aankhon Aankhon Me
132. Bandagi
133. Be-Imaan
134. Dil Daulat Duniya
135. Jangal Me Mangal
136. Riwaaz
137. Yaar Mera
138. Aaj Ki Taaja Khabar
139. Chori Chori
140. Daaman Aur Aag
141. Door Nahi Manjil
142. Naina
143. Pyar Ka Rishta
144. Archana
145. Chhote Sarkar
146. Insaniyat
147. International Crook
148. Resham Ki Dori
149. Tarzan Mera Sathi
150. Vachan
151. Do Jhoot
152. Love In Bombay
153. Neelima
154. Saazish
155. Sanyaasi
156. Dhoop Chhaon
157. Duniyadari
158. Mera Vachan Geeta Ki Kasam
159. Aatmaram
160. The Gold Medal
161. Bombay Talkies
162. Nageena
163. Garam Khoon
164. Mehfil
165. Naari
166. Chorni
167. Eent Ka Jawab Patthar
168. Aakhiri Sangram
169. Papi Pet Ka Sawal Hai
170. Inteqam Ki Aag
171. Krishna Krishna

Thanks for the article.
Archiving all such articles is imp..All such online articles do not remain for ever.

Irfan bhai you have been keeping this SJ fourm active. I really appreciate your efforts in this regard

Let my exams be over......I will try to post more on SJ.......with relevant info from my SJ grp members.


Thanks again

SJ ka pankha

Sonu

Thank you for this great article Shahrukh.