Shankar –Jaikishan

(Anari, Chori Chori, Dil Apna aur Preet Parai, Mera Naam Joker, Sangaam)

They started their journey in Bollywood with ‘Barsaat’ in the year 1949; the song ‘Barsaat mein humse mile tum sajan’ is a classic and is still one of the favorite rain songs in Bollywood. They delivered hits after hits with films like ‘Anari’, ‘Chori Chori’, ‘Dil Apna aur Preet Parai’, ‘Mera Naam Joker’, ‘Sangaam’ and many others. They were regular composers of the RK banner. Jaikishan died in 1971 and Shankar died in 1987. Andaz (1971) was the last movie of the duo together.

Kalyanji- Anandji

(Himalaya ki God Mein, Laawaris, Chaliya, Safar, Don)

They started their career with the movie ‘Samrat Chandragupta’ (1959) and then went on delivering hit songs like ‘Chand si Mehbooba Hogi’with movies like ‘Himalaya ki God Mein’, ‘Apni to jaise taise’ (Laawaris), ‘Challe the Saath Milkar’ (Haseena Maan Jayegi) , ‘Dum dum diga diga’ ( Chaliya),’ Jeevan se bhari teri aankhein’( Safar). Most of their songs have been remixed and have been used in most of the present Bollywood movies. The song ‘Apni to jaise taise’ was remixed and was used in the movie ‘House full’. Kalyanji-Anandji`s last film together was Pratigyabandh in 1991. Kalyanji died on August 24, 2000.

Laxmikant – Pyarelal

(Dosti, Shagird, Tezab, Raam Lakhan, Karz)

They started their career in Bollywood with the movie ‘Parasmani’ (1963), the song ‘Hasta hua Nurani Chehra’ went on to become a major hit. Then came the movie ‘Dosti’ (1964)-the song ‘Chahonga main tumhe ‘ gave them their first Film fare award. Most of their songs are sung by youngsters even now. Songs like ‘Bindiya Chamkegi’ (Do Raaste), ‘Dil Vil Pyaar Vyaar’ (Shagird), ‘Ek do teen’ (Tezaab), ‘My name is Lakhan’ (Raam Lakhan), ‘Hum tum ek kamre mein band hain’( Bobby), Hum bane tum bane (Ek Duje ke liye) and the famous ‘Choli Ke peche Kya hain’ ( Khalnayak) won them many accolades. Laxmikant died in 1998.

Anand – Milind

(Qayamat se Qayamat Tak, Dil, Beta, Baghi)

They started their career with ‘Ab Ayega Mazaa’ (1984) but tasted success with the movie ‘Qayamat se Qayamat Tak (1988). They delivered hits with movies like ‘Dil’, ‘Beta’, ‘Love’. They are still continuing with their melodious compositions and composing music for films.

Nadeem – Shravan

(Aashiqui, Raja, Deewana, Sajaan, Raaz, Kasoor)

They were the most successful music directors in the 1990s-2000. They composed melodious romantic songs which are hummed even today. They came to the limelight for their music in ‘Aashiqui’ (1990), the film was declared to be a musical hit and its songs went viral everywhere. The ride continued with the movies like ‘Dil hain ki Manta Nahin, ‘ ‘ Sajaan’, ‘Raja’, ‘Deewana’, ‘Raja Hindustani’ , ‘Phool aur Kaante’ ‘Dhadkan’, ‘Pardes’. They became dormant for sometime but returned with movies like ‘Dil Hain Tumhara’, ‘Raaz’, ‘Kasoor’ and ‘Yeh Dil Ashiqana’. In the year 2005 they split after the movie ‘Dosti’. Nadeem shifted to UK after his name cropped up in the Music mughal Gulshan Kumar’s murder.

Jatin – Lalit

Jo Jeeta Wahi Sikandar, Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge, Kuch Kuch Hota Hain, Fanaa

They were responsible for making ‘Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge’ a cult movie in the Hindi film industry. The songs of this movie ‘Tujhe Dekha to Yeh Jaana Sanam ‘is still every love bird’s favorite song. Another of their composition-‘Pehla Nasha ‘from the movie (Jo Jeeta Wahi Sikandar) is considered one of the mushiest tracks ever. Due to personal problems, the duo split in 2006. Their last movie was ‘Fanaa.’ After their separation, Lalit gave music for the films like ‘Life Mein Kabhie Kabhie’, ‘Showbiz’, ‘Horn Ok Pleassss’.

Sajid Wajid

(Tere Naam, Hello Brother, Veer, Dabangg, Rowdy Rathore)

Sajid-Wajid first composition was for the movie ‘Pyar Kiya to Darna Kiya’ in 1998. In 1999, they composed music for Sonu Nigam`s album ‘Deewaana’. They worked as music directors for the film, ‘Hello Brother’ in 1998 and since then given several hit numbers. The music duo have also composed music for several films starring Salman Khan, which include, ‘Tumko Na Bhool Paayenge’ (2002), ‘Tere Naam’ (2003), ‘Chori Chori’ (2003), ‘Mujhse Shaadi Karogi’ (2004), ‘Partner’ (2007), ‘Hello’ (2008), ‘God Tussi Great Ho’ (2008), ‘Wanted’ (2009), ‘Main Aur Mrs Khanna’, (2009), ‘Veer’ (2010) , ‘Dabangg’ (2010) and in 2012 ‘Rowdy Rathore’.

By Ankita Chakrabarty/ Zee Research Group/ Delhi