Kalyanji-Anandji :: "SARASWATICHANDRA", 1968. Euphonious Musical

Kalyanji-Anandji :: "SARASWATICHANDRA", 1968.  Euphonious Musical 

Way back in 1958, Kalyanji-Anandji started as an independent music director with the film Samrat Chandragupt . The duo of Kalyanji-Anandji were already successful when Saraswatichandra released in 1968. But the melodious and popular music of the film propelled them further to great heights. 

Saraswatichandra was ‘Inspired' by Goverdhanram Tripathi's famous Gujarati novel set in the 19th Century feudal India, Kalyanji-Anandji  came up with a musical gem or Euphonious Musical with tunes that are immensely popular to date. 

Kalyanji-Anandji created a soft melody with lyrical bliss making it one that can tug at heartstrings immediately. The songs are clearly an evergreen classic. 

It was unfortunate that Nariman Irani's brilliant black and white photography, Indivar's great lyrics and Kalyanji-Anandji's inspired music failed to lift the film.

 

National Awards

The film won two national awards, Nariman Irani for best cinematography and Kalyanji-Anandji for best music. 

Let us review the songs 

 

1 Chandan Sa  Badan         Mukesh

 

An amorous song, effortlessly rendered by Mukesh. I would rate one of the best songs, with prominent use of SITAR. 14 seconds of prelude is harmoniously orchestrated with SITAR,  FLUTE and beautiful TABLA rhythm. Singer Mukeshji’s awesome take off...चन्दनसा बदन ! fascinates the listeners. First interlude starts with SITAR and it ends with FLUTE. Second interlude also starts with SITAR, FLUTE , by using different tunes, and soft use of VIOLINS. SITAR is also used as a filler in each antara. J V Aacharya has played the SITAR in this song. The  song is filmed on Nutan and Manish, 

 

2 Phool Tumhe Bheja Hai        Mukesh - Lata Mangeshkar.

 

This is a very delicate, sweet song. Gem of composition. Tenderly rendered by Lataji and Mukeshji. 11 seconds of prelude enthralls the listeners. First soft Humming sound by Lataji, followed by a wonderful display of SANTOOR (played by Pandit Shivkumar Sharma), ear-pleasing take off by Lata ji फूल तुम्हे भेजा है खत मैं  supported by traditional DHOLAK rhythm. First interlude starts with FLUTE and SANTOOR, it ends with soft VIOLINS. Second interlude also has FLUTE, SANTOOR and VIOLINS with different tunes. In each of the antara, FLUTE is used as a filler for 6 seconds with a wonderful DHOLAK rhythm, pleasing the ears. The  song is filmed on Nutan and Manish.

 

3 Hamne Apna Sab Kuchh         Mukesh

 

Sad song beautifully sung by Mukesh, Interlude of 11 seconds is full of FLUTE and VIOLINS. Typical Kalyanji-Ananji DHOLAK rhythm. First interlude is orchestrated with VIOLINS and FLUTE, SITAR. Second interlude starts with FLUTE and ends up with SITAR. This song also has filler of FLUTE in antara, The  song is filmed on  Manish. FLUTE in postlude is simply superb. 

 

4 Chhod De Saari Duniya        Lata Mangeshkar

 

The best Motivational song ever for every depressed person. Great lyrics, hats off to the complete team who created this masterpiece.  Full credit to songwriter Indiver for writing these motivational words. Lata Mangeshkar is simply superb, so the Kalyanji-Anandji mellifluous orchestra which contains soft VIOLINS and FLUTE. Awesome TABLA / DHOLAK rhythm. The entire song is filmed at very famous GIRNAR hills, steps in Gujarat. The song is filmed on Nutan. 

 

I remember, in the year 1969, Laxmikant (Laxmikant-Pyarelal) presented Vividh Bharti Jaymala Program and he has specially mentioned about his liking for this composition. 

 

 

5 Main To Bhool Chali Babul Ka Desh        Lata Mangeshkar 

 

Magic of this song continues in the year 2021,  just because of 2 reasons.  Awesome childhood memories and Garba special songs with melody of love. Traditional folk song, GARBA,  from Gujarat. Prelude of 22 seconds is orchestrated with SHEHNAI / NADASWARAM. This folk song has तीन ताली गरबा (Three Times Clapping at one-go) steps and rhythm. SHEHNAI / NADASWARAM are predominantly orchestrated throughout the song. Clapping (ताली ) is beautifully used in the rhythm. Not to forget to listen to postlude and enjoy GARBA. 

                                             

6 Chandan Sa Badan       Lata Mangeshkar

 

This is a slow version rendered by Lata. It starts with zero prelude, चन्दनसा बदन ! First interlude starts with SITAR and it ends with FLUTE. Second interlude also starts with SITAR, FLUTE , by using different tunes, and soft use of VIOLINS. SITAR is also used as a filler in each antara. 

 

 

7 Sau Saal Pehal Ki Baat Hai      Mahendra Kapoor

 

The song is narrating the initial story of the film. It also strikes that “Purab Paschim” song is inspired from this song, Good melody''. 

 

 

Ajay Poundarik

Vadodara