Jaikishan (SJ Music Duo)

Jaikishan (SJ Music Duo) Biography

Jaikishan of Shankar – Jaikishan Duo music composers of Bollywood are still considered to be the most versatile music director India has ever witnessed. In the co-operation of Shankar, Jaikishan Dayabhai Panchal, shortly known as Jaikishan, has given the most valuable contributions of Indian film music. Many music directors have come and gone. Yet no one has ever been able to replace the magical power of SJ music. That’s the reason why their songs are most played in music stations still now.

Jaikishan Dayabhai Panchal was born on November 4^th 1929 in Vansda, Gujarat. Jaikishan was first interested in harmonium and gradually he shifted his interest to learning Hindustani music and learnt its primary lessons from Sangeet Visharad Wadilalji and later from Prem Shankar Nayak. In search of opportunities he went to Mumbai, where he became a disciple of Vinayak Tambe. Shankar and Jaikishen met each other at the office of a Gujarati director Chandravadan Bhatt where both used to visit to get a chance in movies and it was Shankar who initiated talk. Though both these persons were visiting the film director for same reasons, they respected each other and their talents and that was the reason why a strong bond grew in between. Both were chosen that time, Shankar as music director and Jaikishen as harmonium player and their bond so stronger that people began to refer them as ‘Ram Laxman’. Later they decided to give music together, thus formed the famous pair – Shankar Jaikishen, fondly known as SJ.

They debut through Raj Kapoor’s movies, worked under Pritviraj Studio and have played a significant role in the success of Raj Kapoor’s career. Throughout 50’s they fully dominated musical world with their powerful and magic tunes composed for Raj Kapoor and in most instances they used the voice of Lata Mangeshkar and Mukesh. Obviously, SJ played a major role in shaping the career of both these leading singers. They continued their domination during 60’s also. This time, Mohd.Rafi’s voice was most used for romantic heroes, particularly Shammi Kapoor and Rajendra Kumar.

They have worked with almost all big banners that time and Hasrat Jaipuri and Shailendra were the lyricists. Their most famous compositions include Anari, Barsaat, Chori chori, Dil apna aur preet paraye, Mere mehboob, Arzoo, Love in Tokyo, Shree 420, Junglee, Brahmachari, Janwar, Professor, Sangam, Dil ek mandir and Amrapali. Together, they have been consecutively nominated for 10 years and have won 9 times.

During the last stage of his life, both directors had a split for giving opportunities to Sharda and in 1971, at a comparatively younger age of 41, Jaikishen died due to heavy drinking and Cirrhosis. Thus ended the biggest phenomenon of Indian cinema – the best musical pair of Indian music! But Shankar carried forward the work in the name of SJ.         

Published: N/A

Updated: June 03, 2018