GS Kohli, better known as the Assistant Music Director to the legendary O P Nayyar, branched out on his own after a few years with Lambe Haath. Kohli (full name Gursharan Singh Kohli) did imbibe some of the Nayyar style of composing, and he had an essential Punjabi influence in his compositions. His music bore the unmistakable stamp of the lyrical romantic beauty and unique beats of Punjab that constitute the flavours of the region.
Daljeet was an actor in late forties and early fifties. It is believed he did some lead roles too but mostly settled down to negative roles. But somewhere in mid-fifties he lost that as well.In an effort to become a producer he launched GS Kohli as a music director with Lambe Haath in 1960. Starring Mahmood and Naaz, it is one film that had caused controversy with its poster. With Naaz standing mid-sized visible up to her knees and Mahmood behind her with his arms stretched in front of her clasping his both hands just at her hip line in front. His face was visible behind her right shoulder. It was a sensational poster and within two weeks of it being released it had to be pulled out. The film was a mediocre run. There was a popular Rafi-Asha Bhosle duet, Mohabbat kar ke kya logey, aji badle meun kya dogey. All lyrics were by Anjaan.
In 1961 Kohli landed the prestigious Sippy Productions’ project Mr. India, directed and produced by G P Sippy. The film starred Geeta Bali, Kamaljeet, Helen and I S Johar who had a double role and was also credited as the writer of the film. Feroze Khan had a small role as well. The late Kamaljeet, as many readers are aware, was Waheeda Rahman’s husband in real life (real name Shashi Rekhi, hailing from Bijnor in UP).
Rafi’s Mat pooch mera hai kaun watan aur main kahan ka hoon was the most popular song from the film with lyrics by Anjaan. Asha and Rafi had the duet Nazar ye teri teekhi na maar beimaan re. Rafi also had Kya soch raha matwale, duniya ke khel nirale (both songs by Jan Nissar Akhtar). The songs have fallen out of memory for many now.
In 1963, Kohli scored music for two prestigious films Faulad, produced by Vinod Doshi and Shikari by F. C.Mehra, both producers of repute. Shikari was his life’s best score and made him immortal among the music lovers. The songs for both the films were issued on records with continuing serial numbers one after the other in the months of August/September in 1963. Faulad released on 23rd November in the theatres and Shikari had released a month earlier and was already a hit. Both the films were directed by Mohammad Hussain.
In one Doordarshan broadcast in mid-Eighties, Ustad Allah Rakha, the table maestro, had said and extensively demonstrated some of the one thousand two hundred different beats and rhythms from Punjab explaining in detail the huge variety and its’ application in music. In today’s era Sukhwinder Singh talks about it sometimes. This was where Kohli found a home ground.
Pyaar ki raah dikha duniya ko, roke jo nafrat ki aandhi (Lambe Haath, 1960) G S Kohli / Anjaan/ Rafi
Mat pooch mera hai haun watan (Mr. India, 1961) G S Kohli / Anjaan / Mohd Rafi
Yaad tori aai to main chham chham roi re (Faulad, 1963) G S Kohli / Faruk Qaiser / Asha Bhosle
Chaman ke phool bhi tujhko gulab kehte hain (Shikari, 1963) G S Kohli / Faruk Qaiser / Lata Mangeshkar and Mohd Rafi
Maangi hain duaein hamne sanam is dil ko dhadakana aa jaye,
kuchh nazre inaayat ho hampe, kuchh hum ko behekana aa jaye.
Tumko Piya dil diya kitne naaz se (Shikari, 1963) G S Kohli / Faruk Qaiser / Lata Mangeshkar and Usha Mangeshkar
Mana mere haseen sanam (Adventures of Robin Hood, 1965) G S Kohli / Yogesh / Mohd
IFacebook/mprints and Images of Indian Film Music
G S Kohli (Gurusharan Singh Kohli) was born in Punjab in 1928. He was an expert in playing Dholak and many instruments. When Dalsukh M. Panchol gave O P Nayyar his first break with Aasmaan (1952), O P.Nayyar chose Kohli as his assistant. Kohli remained his assistant till 1968, even after becoming an independent Composer himself.’
Till 1960, Kohli had contributed significantly in O P.N’s popular films like CID, Mr. and Mrs 55, Aar Paar, Hum sab chor hain, Naya Daur, Mujrim, Do Ustaad, Kashmir ki kali etc.
In 1960 Kohli ‘s First film as an independent Music Director came - 'Lambe Haath'. His second film was Mr.India (1961) and then came Faulad, Shikari, Chaar Darvesh, Adventures of Robin Hood, Namasteji, Do Matwaale, Naujawan, Sangdil, Jung aur Aman and Gunda. His last film was 'Jaalsaaz' in 1969.
Though Kohli was exceptional as an arranger for O P.Nayyar and a Tune maker, he could not shine independently and had only B and C grade movies for music. Only Shikari and Namasteji songs had become popular. The famous songs "Chaman ke phool bhi tujhko" and "Tumko piya dil diya” were from Shikari (1963). And how can one forget Mohammed Rafi's soulful melody "Maana mere haseen sanam" from 'The Adventures Of Robinhood' (1965).
G S Kohli passed away on 25th July1996.
He was not so famous as a music director, but if anyone listen to his songs, he will definitely be surprised that why he was not so famous and why success has eluded him in spite of having abundant talent.
No comments:
Post a Comment