(Prologue and songs No. 1 to 15 are detailed in the Part 1)
Written By – JITENDRA MOTAVAR
16. Sayonara sayonara… Love In Tokyo (1966) partially inspired by a light music orchestral piece “In a Persian market” composed by Albert Ketelby in 1920
Analysis: Just the first half of the mukhda tune has been inspired from a short theme of the Ketelby’s composition. Remaining half of the mukhda and rest all in the song is completely original by SJ. Now, one thing is interesting over here. An “Indian” composer taking inspiration from a “Persian” music composed by an “English” composer, for a “Japanese” song. This particular task needs a sheer sense of music and composing abilities, and it’s commendable. Who, other than SJ, could have conceived and implemented such a unique idea and created an evergreen masterwork. I think it’s purely SJ song, and shouldn’t be labeled as a copy.
17. Chaal suhani baat rasili… Preetam (1971) partially inspired by Elvis Presley’s “You’re the devil in disguise” from 1963
Analysis: Obviously just a partial inspiration in first two third of the mukhda, as SJ used to be great admirers of Mr Presley. Rest of the whole song is purely original SJ work. Getting such inspirations is not only common but quite natural in almost all artists over the world.
18. Aa ab laut chale… Jis Desh Mein Ganga Behti Hai (1960) partially inspired by an Italian song “Ciao ciao bambina” by a singer/composer Domenico Modungo from 1959
Analysis: If you listen the original track, you will hardly realize that SJ have drawn some inspiration from this, because they significantly improvised the melody with lots of original inputs, magnificent orchestration, Chorus, antras, aalaps, and what not, and made it one of the most iconic songs of history. It’s full credit goes to the maestros and their team..!
19. Aja sanam madhur chandani… Chori Chori (1956) inspired by an Italian folk tune “Tarantella”
Analysis: The mukhda is partially inspired by the folk tune, with considerable modifications and a marvelous love duet got created with completely original arrangements and antra tunes, by SJ. This particular folk tune has been used by hundreds of composers since the ages, so SJ using it, should be considered creditable rather than debatable. Accordingly to me is pure SJ creation. Even SDB used the same tune in ‘Taxi Driver’ song “Chahe koi khush ho..” as it is without any changes…! This is a difference between a copy and an inspiration..!
20. Suku suku… Junglee (1961) inspired by a popular dance song “Suku suku” composed by a Bolivian singer Tarateño Rojas in 1959. Many singers all over the world made their own versions, the most famous one by Nina & Frederick in 1961.
Analysis: Only the mukhda is inspired one, rest whole song is completely original SJ creation. The most notable of this is a 2.30 min long fantastic prelude, a theme from which got used by RDB in his ‘La la lalala la..’ phrase from “Ek din beek jaayega” song.
I think this song is SJ’s child and it’s unfair to call it a copy..!
21. Panchhi banun udti phirun… Chori Chori (1956) inspired by a classic Scottish song “Coming thro the rye”, originally composed by Robert Burns in 1782, and later adapted by multiple artists. It became popular after Larry Groce adapted it for Disney’s songs for children in 1979.
Analysis: Only mukhda got little inspiration, rest all tunes of this classic are completely original by SJ. Surprisingly, if you listen Larry Groce’s version, it sounds more like SJ’s version, than the original one. This shows SJ’s innovative capabilities and originality in their works..!
22. Jane chaman shola badan… Gumnaam (1965) inspired by singer Edith Piaf’s English song “Autumn leaves” from 1947, which was adapted from the original French song “Les feuilles mortes” composed by Joseph Cosma in 1945
Analysis: Only a part of the mukhda seems slightly inspired by the original melody, rest whole creation is fully original work by SJ, and see what they have given – a classic, evergreen love song. And yes, an original one.
23. Ajeeb dastaan hai ye… Dil Apna Aur Preet Paraayi (1960) inspired by Jeem Reeves’s song “My lips are sealed” composed by Ben Weismann in 1956
Analysis: If you listen carefully you will find hardly a few similar notes, that too in just a part of the mukhda tune. I personally think the whole song is completely original, where SJ might have wished to create something great and original like Jeem Reeves’ song, and they did it. Full credits to the maestros, no copy claims acceptable..!
24. Dil use do jo jaan de de… Andaz (1971) inspired by Beatles’s song “With a little help from my friends” from 1969
Analysis: Again, just a little inspiration in mukhda tune, rest all completely original. SJ did enough improvisations to claim the song theirs, and yes it belongs to them, fully.
25. Main aashiq hoon baharon ka… Aashiq (1962) inspired ?? (I don’t think so) by Ron Goodwin’s orchestral piece “Return to paradise” from ‘Music for an Arabian Night’ in 1959. Again, the original song “sanarjou yawman” was composed by Rahbani brothers in 1955.
Analysis: I think this is totally false claim. I listened both the pieces carefully, but couldn’t find any obvious similarities, baring one or two notes, which might be coincidental. Rather, SJ created a beautiful elaborated prelude, and the whole original song, in their own stylish way, and I don’t think the song should even be in this list…!
26. Do mastane do deewane… Main Sundar Hoon (1971) inspired (??) by Elvis Presley’s song “Wooden heart” from 1960
Analysis: Same scene over here. Hardly a few traces in the “Turutu turutu” portion of the song, rest all… original..! So, ultimately it’s an original SJ creation..
27. Hai na bolo bolo… Andaz (1971) inspired (claimed to be) by 1960’s song “Papa loves mama” by a singer/composer Donald Peers
Analysis: The most rubbish and false claim. Except few words in the lyrics, there is no similarities in musical composition and orchestration, which is one of the bests by SJ, over here. This is a completely original song by them and shouldn’t be in the list..!
28. RK’s signature tune in all the RK films, inspired by a Romanian composer Ion Ivanovici’s 1880 waltz composition “Waves of danube”
Analysis: The original waltz tune is one of the most famous Romanian tunes in the world, and RK too must have liked it so much that he should have suggested SJ to use it in all the RK films to create a signature stamp.. And as expected, SJ improvised it multiple times to create a specific mood each time..!
So now, it’s quite clear that, out of the 27 claimed songs, only first 3-4 have inspired mukha as well as antra, next 7 songs have inspired mukhda only, next 10 songs have just partially inspired mukhda, and the remaining 6 songs have everything original baring few notes, and are inappropriate and false claims. So, my clarifications to such blames are:
1. For the composers who gave a thousand (at least) original, memorable, trendsetter and evergreen songs, getting inspired in their 10 to 20 songs from other great artists, is nothing wrong. It’s absolutely natural, normal, usual and required too at times, for a composer who is versatile and expert in giving music of any flavor, genre and ethnicity..!
2. The legacy and inspirations left behind by Shankar Jaikishan is much much more than the inspirations they might have taken from other artists. Almost all composer of old and modern film industry have been inspired by SJ’s music style, compositions and arrangements, plenty of times. Their music is like a school for the followers..!
3. It’s commendable that in the era where no much electronic media and communication tools were available, SJ were so much exposed to and aware of international music styles and artists, and had ‘guts’ to analyze and incorporate them in their music, keeping their genius intact, to create songs that sounded better only, than the originals.
With this, I will end my wright up, hoping that I have been able to provide enough details for SJ’s unmatched creativity, originality and composing skills, in such adapted songs…!
I reposted this article specially for our new group members.
Keep enjoying SJ music..!