Anandji Virji Shah Biography 
The brothers - Anandji Virji Shah and Kalyanji Virji Shah together forms the legendary music composer duo of Bollywood – Kalyanji Anandji. Anandji Virji Shah is popularly called Anandji. The veteran music composers have together composed music for over 250 films which 17 golden jubilees and 39 silver jubilee hits. They have been nominated for Filmfare best music composers 8 times, though they could win only once for 1975 movie – Kora Kaagaz. Upkaar, Himalay ki gode mein, Don, Tridev, Qurbani, Zanjeer and Bairaag are the movies which gave them Filmfare nomination. The successful duo received National Film Award for Best Music Direction for Nutan starrer Saraswati Chanda. Their successful association started in 1960 and continued till Kalyanji’s death in 2000. Though they began their career with classic gems like Chaliya, Saraswati Chanda, Himalay ki gode mein, they showed the music world that they have the potential to compose songs for new generations; Don, Qurbani and Tridev being its best instances. Noted music composer Viju Shah is his nephew.
In 1960, the brothers started composing songs together and Meena Kumari-Balraj Sahni starrer Satta Bazar marked their debut. Later they composed songs for numerous movies like Rafoo Chakkar, Chalia, Sachaa Jhutha, Raaz, Mahal, Purab Aur Pachhim, Maryada, Bairaag, Upkar, Lawaaris, Haath Ki Safai, Ek Se Badhkar Ek, Suhaag raat, Tridev, Don, Ek Hasina Do Diwane, Safar, Dil Bhi Tera Hum Bhi Tere, Jaanbaaz, Jab Jab Phool Khile, Geet, Dil ne pukara, Joroo Ka Ghulam, Blackmail, Saraswati Chandra, Johny Mera Naam, Aamne saamne, Kaalicharan, Uljhan, Himalay Ki God Mein, Dharmatma, Qurbani, Kahani Kismat Ki etc. The popular lyricist of golden songs, Gulshan Bawara began his career through Kalyanji’s composition. The music composers Laxmikant Pyarelal worked as assistants of this duo before marking debut as independent composers.
Born in a business family, the brothers were brought up in the midst of Marathi and Gujarati people which later influenced their compositions a lot. Been music of Nagin was played by Kalyanji, which was their major break to Bollywood. Though Kalyanji started his career as an independent music director first, later Anand too joined him. His real dream was to become a hero, but his short stature proved to be a setback. They entered the golden era of industry when big names like Shankar-jaikishen and S. D. Burman were ruling the charts. Yet the brothers were able to make a mark of their own. They have been one of the top rated music composers of 1970s. Satta Bazar in 1960 marked their debut.
Pal pal dil ke paas of Blackmail, Chalia mera naam of Chalia, Jo tumko ho pasand of Safar, Pal bhar ke liye and O babul pyare of Johny mera naam, Haa tum bilkul of Himalay ki gode mein,Pardesiyom se of Jab jab phool khile, Le jayenge of Haseena maan jayenge, Aap jaisa koi of Qurbani, Is des ki darti of Upkaar, Chandan sa badan and Phool tumhe bheja of Saraswati chanda, O saati re and Salaam-e-Ishq Meri Jaan of Muquaddar ka sikandar, Yeh duniyawale of Mahal, Khaike paan and Yeh mera dil of Don and Gali gali mein and Tirchi topi of Tridev are only a few gems among the vast ocean of songs contributed by this outstanding pair of Bollywood.
Published: N/A
Updated: July 21, 2014
