Pyare Lal ji of the Laxmikant Pyare Lal Music Duo - A Music Genius

Pyare Lal ji of the Laxmikant Pyare Lal music duo may not be giving music any more but he is still actively participating in musical events.
At an age when other children were busy reciting nursery rhymes, Pyarelal could play several instruments with phenomenal dexterity? Obviously, the Gods decided to make him a musical genius whereby he was not only invited to music studios at the age of ten but also blessed with a lifelong friend in senior mandolin player Laxmikant.
Could you believe that at the age of 14, he arranged music for Khayyam for ‘Phir Subah Hogi'; its songs are remembered till date for their haunting orchestration.

Pyarelal credits Laxmikant for their partnership and for motivating him into turning composer. He recalls, “I was ready to sail for Venice in 1957 but Laxmikantji advised me to stay back as he felt we could form a great music team.” The decision may have meant spurning the chance of being a disciple of the legendary Yehudi Menuhin but it also led to the duo composing music for over 750 Hindi films.
Pyare Lal ji learned violin from his guru Anthony Gonsalves'.
The popular song, ‘Main Ye Soch Kar,' from ‘Haqeeqat,' which he created and played on Madan Mohan's request!. He was a. musician with SD Burman for few years, he became a good friend of R D Burman. Later he gave music arrangements to R D Burman's ‘Chhote Nawab' and ‘Bhoot Bangla.
Laxmikant and Pyarelal met at Sureel Kala Kendra, a music academy for children, run by the Mangeshkar family. After she came to know about their financially poor backgrounds, Lata recommended their names to music directors like Naushad, Sachin Dev Burman and C. Ramchandra.
Pyarelal often used to frequent the Bombay Chamber Orchestra and the Paranjoti Academy, where he would perfect his skills in the company of Goody Seervai, Coomi Wadia, Mehli Mehta and his son, Zubin Mehta. Laxmikant–Pyarelal were not content with the payments being made to them for their music, so they decided to go to Madras (now Chennai). But, it was the same story there. So, they returned back to Mumbai. 
The two became assistant music directors in 1957 and after assisting Kalyanji-Anandji in a few films, they got their first break in the low-budget costume drama, Parasmani (1963).
The song Hansta hua noorani chehra hit the bull's eye. A year later, Parasmaniwas followed by Dosti. With songs like Chahunga main tujhe and Janewalon zara, there was no looking back. 
In 1966 L-P started cementing their place in Hindi film music. L-P's first musical hit film, with a big star cast, Aaye Din Bahar Ke was released, followed by Pyar Kiye Jaa. 
In 1967, L-P consolidated their position in the Hindi film industry with a series of hits, one after another. Non star cast film Farzwas L-P's first golden jubilee musical hit, followed by big star cast films such as Anita, Shagird, yet another Golden Jubilee hit, Patthar Ke Sanam, Night in London, Jaaland another evergreen musical hit Milan. L-P received their second Filmfare Trophy for Milan without any stiff competition.
Laxmikant–Pyarelal's tunes used to be very simple but at the same time it used to be extremely sweet, catchy and melodious. LP had an excellent sense of what would work at the common man's level and in cinema halls, more than in Internet forums. They had a vast command over Folk and Hindustani Tunes. L-P (Laxmi-Pyare), were the composers who excelled, consistently, for more than three decades. 
Lata Mangeshkar also played a major role in shaping up the careers of Laxmikant–Pyarelal. She sang the highest number of songs for them. 
Asha Bhosle recorded almost 494 songs for Laxmikant-Pyarelal. Their collaboration lasted almost 35 years, 1963-1998. 
Mohammad Rafi has sung as many as 379 songs under Laxmikant-Pyarelal. This is the highest number of songs sung by Mohammad Rafi with any of the music directors in Hindi film music. 
Laxmikant-Pyarelal also produced some memorable songs rendered by Kishore Kumar, (402).
Laxmikant–Pyarelal kept a balancing act between Mohammad Rafi (379 songs) and Kishore Kumar (402 songs). During the peak wave of Kishore Kumar after Aaradhana, it is Laxmikant–Pyarelal who gave highest numbers of songs to Mohammad Rafi.. In 1977 L-P brought back the glory of Mohammad Rafi through "Amar Akbar Anthony" and "Sargam".
After Laxmikant's death, Pyarelal has done some work independently. When the playback singer Kumar Sanu turned music director, he approached Pyarelal to arrange music for him. Pyarelal was approached to assist in the music of Farah Khan's Om Shanti Om song "Dhoom Tana" 
Despite an outstanding run of success, fame sits lightly upon Pyarelal's shoulders. He has no airs and speaks so softly that you have difficulty in catching his words. 

Song of Parasmani 1963

Song of Dosti 1964

Song of Aayi Milan Ki Bela 1964

Song of Milan 1967

Song of Shagird 1968

Song of Do Raste 1969

Song of Shor 1972

Song of Bobby 1973

Song of Roti Kapda Aur Makan 1974

Song of Amar Akbar Anthony 1977

Song of Karz 1980

Song of Hero 1983

Song of Mr India 1987

Song of Tezab 1988

Song of Ram Lakhan1989

Song of Hum  1991

Gems of Kishore Kumar under Laxmikant Pyarelal

Kishore Kumar,s Second Inning started with Aradhana in 1969 but before that, he gave great songs under Laxmikant Pyarelal. They had a great rapport with Kishore Kumar. Kishore Kumar sang the most songs (402) for L-P among all male singers, followed by Rafi (about 365 songs). First time Kishore sang for them was in Mr X in Bombay(1964), all the songs were hit. The next film Kishore did for L P was
HUM SAB USTAD HAI(1965).In this Blog I am taking some of the great songs by Kishore Kumar under the composition of L P
Laxmikant Pyarelal worked as assistants of S.D Burman and Kalyananji Anandji. Many say, Pyarelal, the son of trumpet player"Ramprasad Sharma" is best arranger and violinist of Zubin Mehta's calibre. They played in the orchestra of Husnalal Bhagatram first commercially successful duo of Bollywood.  However, I must mention that the duo has given some really extraordinary compositions for Kishore which even excel "Dada Burman" and Shankar Jaikishan scores.

Pyarelal Ji speaking about Kishore Kumar

                                                Mere Mehboob kayamat hogi

Song from Mr X in Bombay 1964

Ajanabee tum jane pahchane

Song from Hum Sab Ustad Hain 1965

                       Sultana Sultana Tu Na Ghabrana

Song from Shriman Fantoosh 1965

Khijan ke phhol pe aati kabhi bahar nahi

Song from Do Raste 1969

Accha To Hum Chalate Hai

Song from Aan Milo Sajna 1970

Waada Tera Waada

Song from Dushman 1971

Yah jeevan Hai

Song from Piya Ka Ghar 1972

Mere Dilme Aaj Kya Hai

Song from Daag 1973

Ruk Jana Nahi

Song from Imtihaan 1974

Gadi Bula Rahi Hai

Song from Dost 1974

Aate Jate Khoobsurat Awara

Song from Anurodh 1977

Om Shanti Om

Song from Karz 1980

zindagi ki yahi reet hai

Song from Mr India 1987

The story behind the song"Chahoonga Main Tujhe Saanj Savere"

The Filmfare Award in 1965 went to Dosti(1964) for five categories including three categories namely – music director, singer and lyricist gone to Dosti for the song Chahoonga main Tujhe Sanj Savere –The song was brilliantly rendered by Melody King Mohd. Rafi Saab and was composed by Laxmikant-Pyarelal and written by Majrooh Sultanpuri.
Laxmikant Pyarelal were the upcoming Music director Many of their earlier films were not successful at the Box Office only Parasmani was successful. Dosti was their first Super Hit film and the music was also super hit. The song Chahoonga main tujhe sanj savere tune was composed much earlier than any Parasmani song by the duo with Lata Mangeshkar in mind. They could not find a situation in their early films to use the song properly.
Originally the lines of the song written by Mazrooh were Chauhingi Mein Tujhe Saanjh Savere, Phir Bhi Kabhi Ab Naam Ko Tere, Awaz Mein Na Dungi.
Dosti was a small budget movie of Rajshri Films and getting Mohammad Rafi and Lata the Established singer was out of the budget for the composer but they thought of approaching Rafi to sing songs for Dosti.
They were very apprehensive when they drove to Rafi’s mansion early that day not knowing if the great singer would agree to sing for a low-budget movie and for such young, struggling music directors such as LP. 
 During the musical sitting of Dosti, Laxmikant sang this song out for Rafi at the very tail end of their session before departing Rafi’s house as a song they kept in their pocket as a reserve. Rafi was completely bowled over by the tune of Chahoonga  main tujhe , he agreed to sing songs for Dosti for the sake of singing this song. LP replied that there was no situation in the movie for this song. They did not want to use it. Rafi insisted persistently and said that he would sing all the songs for free if Chahoonga main tujhe was included in the film.  LP returned back and had to make the writer, producer, director re-write the story to include Chahoonga  main tujhe as a primary song in the film.
The movie was released and took India by storm in 1964. Rafi sang 5 solo songs in this film, all the songs were hit Rafi Saab had given his golden voice to many unknown actors, even in Dosti two boys played the part of friends were Sudhir Kumar and Sushil Kumar. All of the songs lip-synced by Sudhir Kumar (Mohan), the blind boy.  Even as a unique coincidence Dosti is the only movie in Hindi Cinema which made a record for the biggest hit without heroine. 
Rafi Saab was honoured by the Government of India with the coveted Padmashri Award as well as National Film Award for the Best Male Playback Singer for this song “Chahooga main Tujhe“

Song of Dosti 1964

The MUSIC DRECTOR DUOS Of Bollywood

The trend of composer duos is not new. Earlier decades too boasted of talented music directors like Shankar-Jaikishan, Kalyanji-Anandji, Laxmikant-Peareylal. The first to work as the music director duo.were Husnalal Bhagatram..Both were brothers.Most composers who work in teams feel that working as a duo helps in sharing thoughts and generating ideas.In this blog I have taken 10 such Composer Duos.

Husnalal Bhagatram..

They made their presence on the film music right on their entry in 1944 with the film “Chand” that came with a hit song “Do Dilon Ko Yeh Duniya” sung by Manju. Their compositions “Ek Dil Ke Tukde Hazar Huye” (Pyar Ki Jeet) and “Suno Suno Ai Duniya Walo,Bapu Ki Yeh Amar Kahani (Amar Kahani) sung with his characteristic soulful involvement became runaway hits.The rise of the talented music director duo Husnlal-Bhagatram virtually marked the beginning of Hindi film music’s golden era in the early 1940s. Who can forget the Husnlal-Bhagatram gems sung by Lata “Chale Jana Nahi Nain Mila Ke” (Badi Bahen-1949) and “Abhi To Mai Jawan Hun-Khushiyo Ke Din Manaye Ja” (Afsana-1951)?

Song from Pyar Ki Jeet 1948

Song from Afsana-1951

Shankar Jaikishan

Shankar-Jaikishan, along with other artists, composed "everlasting" and "immortal melodies" in the 1950s, and 1960s,They made their debut as Independent composer with Raj Kapoor's Barsaat in 1949.They formed a core team with lyricists Shailendra and Hasrat Jaipuri and with singers Mohammed Rafi Lata Mangeshkar and Asha Bhosle.Shankar-Jaikishan made a significant contribution in promoting Indian classical music throughout their career. It was their established practice to have at least one song in a movie based on semi-classical style. These included songs like `Jhanak-jhanak tori baje payaliya' (Mere Huzoor), `Chham chham baje re payaliya' (Jane-anjane), `Radhike tune bansari churayi' (Beti Bete), `Manmohana bade jhoothe' (old `Seema'), `Koi matwala aya mere dware' (Love in Tokyo), `Ajahu na ayae baalma, sawan beeta jaye' (Sanjh aur Savera), `Lapak jhpak tu aa re badarwa' (Boot polish), `Ye barkha bahar sautaniya ke dwar' (Mayur pankh), `Re man sur mein ga' (Lal pathar)
While working as a team, Shankar and Jaikishan used to compose their songs separately. Generally, Shankar liked to work with Shailendra and Jaikishan with Hasrat Jaipuri.During their career, S-J won Filmfare Best Music Director Awards nine times. 

Song from Barsaat 1949

Song from Sangam 1964

Kalyanji-Anandji

Unlike Shankar jaikishan they were brothers. Kalyanji was elder to Anandji.Kalyanji started his career as a musician, with a new electronic instrument called the clavioline. which was used for the famous "Nagin Been," used in the film Nagin (1954) which had the music of Hemant Kumar.Samrat Chandragupta (1959) was his first film as Kalyanji Virji Shah,This was followed by his composing music scores for more films like Post Box 999 before Anandji who was assisting him, joined him officially to form the Kalyanji Anandji duo in Satta Bazar and Madari (1959). Chalia (1961) was their earliest major hit. In 1965, two decisive scores, Himalay Ki God Mein and Jab Jab Phool Khile, established them as composers to reckon with.
Some of their best-known works are Don, Bairaag, Saraswatichandra, Qurbani, Tridev  Muqaddar Ka Sikandar and Safar. They won the 1975 Filmfare Award for Best Music Director for Kora Kagaz.

Song from Jab Jab Phool Khile 1965

Song from Kora Kagaz 1969

Laxmikant-Peareylal

They composed music for about 635 Hindi movies from 1963 to 1998, working for almost all notable filmmakers.Laxmikant and Pyarelal met at Sureel Kala Kendra, a music academy for children, run by the Mangeshkar family. After Lata ji came to know about their financially poor backgrounds, Lata recommended their names to music directors like Naushad, Sachin Dev Burman and C. Ramchandra. Similar financial backgrounds and age made Laxmikant and Pyarelal very good friends. 
The first released movie which featured them as music directors was Babubhai Mistry's Parasmani (1963),Laxmikant–Pyarelal hit the big time with Rajshri Productions' 1964 film Dosti. The film had two newcomer heroes who never became popular, and the film was a success due to its music. Songs like "Chahoonga main tujhe shaam savere" and "Rahi manava" became very popular. At that time, many used to think that there was a single person by the name of Laxmikant Pyarelal. Laxmikant–Pyarelal won their first Filmfare Best Music Director Award for the movie.
LP dominated the Weekly Hindi Film songs Countdown programme Binaca Geet Mala,from 1964 to 1980s.They won 7 Filmfare Awards.The team of Laxmikant–Pyarelal and lyricist Anand Bakshi churned out some of the most popular songs in Hindi Cinemas history. The combo composed songs for more than 250 movies. 

Song from Dosti 1964

Song from Do Raaste 1969

Shiv Hari

As a composer for many Yash Chopra films, the Shiv-Hari team offered pleasant melodies in an era when the music scene is said to be truly awful. Ye kahaan aa gaye hum (Silsila), Mere haathon mein nau-nau choodiyaan hain (Chandni), Jaadu teri nazar and Tu mere saamne (Darr) are just some of their many euphonic tunes.They did 8 films together

The duo soon found that they couldn’t find a balance between their work in cinema and their music outside the film circuit, and they quit films after Darr, summarily refusing Yash Chopra’s Dil To Pagal Hai, but that’s another story.

Song from Silsila 1981

Song from Chandani 1989

Nadeem Sharvan

Nadeem–Shravan were the most successful music directors of the 1990s until the early 2000s. They have the strong reliance of Hindustani music in their compositions and were the only composers during the 1990s and 2000s who relied heavily on three particular instruments: the bansuri, the sitar and the shehnai in almost all of their songs. Their first Hindi movie assignment was Maine Jeena Seekh Liya in 1981 sung by Amit kumar. In 1989, their three big movies were released: Ilaaka, Hisaab Khoon Ka and Lashkar.
They composed soundtracks for many films, including Aashiqui (1990), Saajan (1991), Deewana (1992), Dil Ka Kya Kasoor (1992), Hum Hain Rahi Pyar Ke (1993), Rang (1993), Dilwale (1994), Raja (1995), Barsaat (1995), Agni Sakshi (1996), Jeet (1996), Raja Hindustani (1996), Pardes (1997), Sirf Tum (1999), Dhadkan (2000), Kasoor (2001), Hum Ho Gaye Aapke (2001), Raaz (2002), Dil Hai Tumhaara (2002), Dil Ka Rishta (2003), Andaaz (2003), Tumsa Nahi Dekha (2004), Bewafaa (2005) and many others.They won 4 Filmfare Awards,the first was for Aashiqui in 1991.Kumar Shanu,Udit Narayan and Alka Yagnik were the main singers who sang for them.

Song from Aashiqui (1990)

Song from Pardes (1997)

Jatin Lalt

The brother jodi who made it big in the 1990s.They began their career in 1991, composing music for the Hindi movie Yaara Dildara. Although the film was a flop, its music was a big hit. The evergeen famous song of the movie was "Bin Tere Sanam", which topped the charts. They were first noticed for their work on the soundtrack of the movie Khiladi and for "Pehla Nasha", a romantic song from Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikander, the film which earned then their first nomination for the Filmfare Award for Best Music Director. 
Jatin–Lalit's score for the cult classic Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge was a massive success, and is remembered as one of the all-time best Bollywood soundtracks, earning them another nomination at the Filmfare,Some of their best known films are . Khamoshi: The Musical (1996) ,Yes boss 1997,  Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, Pyaar To Hona Hi Tha, Mohabbatein, (2000),Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham (2001), Hum Tum (2004), Chalte Chalte (2003) and Fanaa (2006), After working for almost 16 years together, they announced that they would be parting ways due to personal problems.

Song from Khamoshi 1996

Song from Hum Tum (2004)

Anand Milind

The music directors duo consisting of Anand Shrivastav and his younger brother Milind. They have composed music for over 200 Bollywood films and are the sons of 1960s music director, Chitragupta.
They debuted in Ab Aayega Mazaa (1984) and rose to fame after the success of Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak (1988).Anand–Milind and lyricist Sameer created more than 950 songs together. Almost every film had Sameer doing the lyrics.Their compositions bore some resemblance to the Laxmikant-Pyarelal school of music, in the early 1990s.
They collaborated with David Dhawan on several hit soundtracks such as Swarg, Bol Radha Bol, Raja Babu, Eena Meena Deeka, Loafer, Coolie No.1, Hero No. 1 and Chal Mere Bhai. They also composed hits for Govinda in Maha Sangram, Swarg, Jaan Se Pyaara, Baaz, Raja Babu (film), Kismat, Coolie No. 1, Chhote Sarkar, Hero No. 1, Banarasi Babu, Dulhe Raja, Rajaji, Aunty No. 1, Akhiyon Se Goli Maare and Khullam Khulla Pyaar Karen.

Song from Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak (1988)

Song from Bol Radha Bol, 1992

Vishal Shekhar

The duo rose to prominence when they composed the songs for the film Jhankaar Beats which included the song "Tu Aashiqui Hai". They won the Filmfare RD Burman Award for New Music Talent for Jhankaar Beats. In 2005 they composed the songs for three films: Salaam Namaste, Dus and Bluffmaster.
Some of their Known films are  Om Shanti Om (2007), Bachna Ae Haseeno (2008), Dostana (2008), Anjaana Anjaani (2010), Ra.One (2011), Student of the Year(2012),Chennai Express (2013), Bang Bang! (2014), Happy New Year (2014),Sultan (2016) and Befikre (2016)

Song from Jhankaar Beats.2003

Song from Sultan (2016)

Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy

This is not a duo but a musical trio consisting of Shankar Mahadevan, Ehsaan Noorani and Loy Mendonsa. Composers who have composed music for over 50 soundtracks across five languages - Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Marathi and English. Among the most critically acclaimed Indian musicians. The trio have won numerous awards, including National Film Award (India), Filmfare Awards, IIFA Awards. 
Shankar Ehsaan and Loy came up from the ranks of the non-film music scene, performing rock, blues, jazz and pop before entering the film music industry.Their first Hindi film was Dus 1n 1997 but became famous from Dil Chahta Hai 2001.
Following Dil Chahta Hai, their next big venture was Dharma Productions' Kal Ho Naa Ho, directed by Nikhil Advani. The album broke all the previous records as a best-selling album. The music won many awards including the National Film Award for Best Music Direction.The year 2005 saw them collaborate with Shaad Ali for Bunty Aur Babli.The soundtrack, despite the initial mixed reaction from various critics, became immensely popular among the public, and went on to win several awards including Filmfare and IIFA awards. The song "Kajra Re" featuring Aishwarya Rai, Abhishek Bachchan and Amitabh Bachchan became a rage among the listeners.
Some of their best known films are Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna,Don,Jhoom Barabar Jhoom,Taare Zameen Par ,Rock On,My Name Is Khan ,Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara and Bhaag Milkha Bhaag

Song from Dil Chahta Hai 2001

Song from Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna 2006

The other Music Director Duos are  Sonik Omi, Sapan Jagmohan, Dilip Sen Samir Sen, Salim Suleiman, Sajid Wazid, Sanjiv Darshan and Ajay Atul