Shankar Jaikishan

 

 

The best in 'commercisl-classical' category

The legendary music director of Bollywood OP Nayyar himself described the first man as “the most complete musician in the Hindi film industry”. Not only Shankar, as a duo both Shankar-Jaikishan ruled the industry for almost three decades.

When Raj Kapoor decided to make "Barsaat" immediately after Independence, he thought it better to pump in fresh air in the Industry. Those were the salad days of stalwarts like SD Barman, OP Nayyar, Madan Mohan and Ravi. But Raj Kapoor took a risk and gave a chance to the Shankar-Jaikishan duo. Even after the recording of Jiya beqarar hai, these two were unsure about their future. But history was about to unfold and almost all the songs in the film became super hits. Later, the Shankarsingh Raghuwanshi-Jaikishan Dayabhai Panchal duo never looked back. With "Barsaat", innovative music rained in Bollywood. What followed were "Awara", "Chori Chori", "Sangam", "Mera Naam Joker"... and so on.

As ghazal singer Pankaj Udhas says, “Shankar-Jaikishan was inimitable. I see them as commercial with classic category. Their music would easily capture the imagination of listeners. Who can forget classic hits like Raja ki ayegi baaraat?"