QUOTE(unni @ Feb 16 2005, 12:01 PM)
If we read between the lines, Lata-ji showers praise on Jaikishen but is reticent in her views about Shankar.
She reportedly said that Jaikishen was skilled in classical music, that Shankar too "had
some knowledge"!
On the contrary, a grateful and un-biased Manna Dey pinpointed Shankar for his classical ability.
It is generally known that Shankar and Jaikishen did not really compose
together after their early years, and only collaborated for RK movies. Although the music of their movies was credited to S-J, the only thing in common was the heiphen! For the most part, each composed separately. For example, "AMRAPALI", "SANJH AUR SAVERA", "DIL EK MANDIR", and 'PATANGA" were by Shankar alone, whereas several movies were done by Jaikishen, e.g. "AAYI MILAN KI BELA".
"SANGAM" had songs composed both separately and jointly.
But, even after Jaikishen's death, movie scores by Shankar were credited to the duo -- in sharp contrast to the famed South-Indian pair Viswanathan-Ramamurthy -- after their split, the MD's name was the stand-alone "Viswanathan".
Lata-ji, despite her legendary status, is still human and prone to personal views. In the case of Jaikishen, their once "personal relationship" most likely clouds her views. (To start on a clean slate, Jaikishen reportedly confessed it to his future bride, prior to his marriage to Pallavi).
When Sajjad-bhai recently referred to the "virgin" quality of her voice, I was reminded of reports of the celebrated singer's "associations" -- with one of the Husnlal-Bhagatram team and simultaneously with C. Ramachandra! The latter, apparently, was no secret in the industry. But the MD behaved like a cad, and is reported to have said, "She wanted marriage. I only wanted to have fun".
That Shankar was promoting a non-singer like Sharda, again for personal reasons, did not particularly endear him to Lata-ji!
Great write-up Unni !!.
I also read in various articles that Lata was close to Jaikishan and when he chose Pallavi as his wife, she was upset and in turn Jai told her not to sing for them for two years. Again all rumours, especially the latter part.
As I mentioned in my last post, even though she praises the S-J duo, she has many times ignored them, even to the extent of not mentioning that they were a big part in her rise to the top. This nature of her's is evident in the comments she has towards other music directors as well and not just S-J.
Though Shankar & Jaikishan did compose separately right throughout their career, they did collaborate alot of times post 1964, which was the year of their break-up. They not only composed together in RK movies, but for many other loyal producers as well. For example Lal Patthar, An Evening In Paris, Jaane Anjane, Andaz, Brahmachari, Aankhon Aankhon Mein, etc had several songs by both. ("Gaya Bachpan" from J. Omprakash's 'Aankhon Ankhon Mein' was Jaikishan's last song.)
One way of finding out who composed what song, is by looking at the lyricist. Shankar mostly worked with Shailendra and Jai with Hasrat with a few exceptions here and there. But this was not
always the case. For example, in some songs, Shankar would come up with the mukhda and Jai with the antara or vice-versa. The majority of music fans identify a S or a J song by the lyricists though.
In the case of 'Aye Milan Ki Bela', most of the songs were written by Shailendra, so we would assume it was scored by Shankar, with the help of Jai. Again, 'Sanjh Aur Savera', had lyrics by both Shailendra and Hasrat, so most likely the two of them worked on the film together.
Cheers