Kalyanji Veerji Shah, who passed away on August 24, 2000 after a prolonged illness, was part of the Musical Director team of Kalyanji - Anandji who were responsible for many musical hit films of the 1960s, 1970s and early 1980s.

Kalyanji was born on June 30, 1928 in Kundrodi in Kutch, Gujarat and entered the film industry in 1952. He worked as an assistant to Hemant Kumar and even played the refrains of the snake music in Nagin (1954). In fact, Kalyanji pioneered a virtual revolution in film music when he imported a claviolin and played it to get the sinuous snake music in the film - the first instance of the use of electronic music in Hindi films.

He got his independent break as Kalyanji Veerji Shah with Samrat Chandragupt (1958). Joined by his younger brother Anandji Veerji Shah the following year, they formed the Kalyanji - Anandji team. Chhalia (1960) first brought them recognition in a big way as the songs of this Raj Kapoor - Nutan starrer became extremely popular particularly the communal harmony song Chhalia Mera Naam and of course Dum Dum Diga Diga. With the success of Himalaya ki God Mein (1965), Kalyanji - Anandji made it right to the top.

Saraswatichandra (1968) saw them win the National Award for their work on the film. The film, adapting Govardhanram Tripathi's reform novel, boasts of some of Kalyanji - Anandji's best work - Chandan sa Badan, Chod De Saari Duniya Kisike Liye, Phool Tumhe Bheja Hai Khat Mein besides immortalizing the garba with Main to Bhool Chali Babul ka Desh.

The year 1970 was perhaps the duo's golden year as a succession of musical hits flooded the box-office - Geet, Johnny Mera Naam, Sacha Jhootha, Mere Humsafar, Safar, Kab, Kyon Aur Kahaan, Ghar Ghar ki Kahani and Purab Aur Paschim to name some. They formed a popular team with Prakash Mehra (Hasina Maan Jaayegi (1968), Zanjeer (1973), Haath ki Safai (1974), Hera Pheri (1976), Muqaddar ka Sikander (1978), Lawaaris (1981)) and Feroz Khan in particular (Apradh(1972), Dharmatma (1975), Qurbani (1980) and Jaanbaaz (1986)) besides winning the Filmfare Award for their work in Kora Kagaz (1974). It's title track is remembered till today and is one of singer Kishore Kumar's greatest songs.

Special mention must be made of the songs that Kalyanji - Anandji composed with Mukesh. Mujhko Is Raat ki Tanhai Mein (Dil Bhi Tera Hum Bhi Tere (1960)), Humne Tujhse Pyaar Kiya Hai Jitna (Dulha Dulhan (1964)), Main to Ek Khwab Hoon (Himalaya ki God Mein (1965)) and Chandan sa Badan (Saraswatichandra) represent some of the finest work in Mukesh's career.

Kalyanji - Anandji continued composing well into the 1970s and 1980s. However the period mid 1980s onwards wasn't a particularly distinguished period for them barring stray films like Jaanbaaz or Tridev (1989). Their last film was Pratigyabandh (1991) though an older, much delayed film Ulfat ki Nayi Manzilein made it to the theatres in 1994.

Besides scoring music for films, Kalyanji - Anandji have also given many singers a break, prominent among them being Sadhana Sargam, Sapna Mukherjee, Manhar Udhas and Alka Yagnik. They also formed Little Wonders in 1993 to encourage children with singing talent.

Other well known films with music by Kalyanji - Anandji include Bluff Master (1963), Jab Jab Phool Khile (1965), Raaz (1967), Upkar (1967), Mahal (1969), Blackmail (1973), Rafoo Chakkar (1975), Don (1978) and Tridev (1989).