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Salil Chowdhury

Annadaata (1972)

A rich and melodically powerful Yogesh–Salil collaboration featuring some of Salil’s most complex and unforgettable compositions.

Annadaata Poster

Film Information

Language: Hindi

Lyricist: Yogesh

Salil Chowdhury’s compositions for Annadaata are considered among his most sophisticated works — harmonically rich, orchestral, and demanding on the singers. Many songs required multiple takes, especially “Guzar jaaye din”, which reportedly challenged even Kishore Kumar.

Songs

Nr Song Singer(s) HndMalTamTel KanBngOth
AN1 Yehaa.n ab kyaa rehnaa… chal de wahaa.n Manna Dey, Sabita Chowdhury, Chorus ✔----SL2-
AN2 Jiyaa laagey naa… nisidin nisidin Lata Mangeshkar ✔-SW4--LM10-
AN3 Raato.n ke saaye ghaney Lata Mangeshkar ✔-SW2--SM12-
AN4 Guzar jaaye din din din Kishore Kumar ✔---- OS59 / AS18 / MW13-
AN5 O meri praaN sajni champaavati aa jaa Kishore, Sabita Chowdhury, Chorus ✔---- OS33 / LM29-
AN6 Nain hamaare, saanjh sakaare Mukesh ✔---- LM28 / SC33 / MW12-

Notes & Background

Annadaata contains some of the most musically ambitious work Salil ever composed. Rumours suggest that “Raato.n ke saaye ghaney” may have been inspired by Chopin. The orchestration is lush, symphonic and unusually intricate for Hindi cinema of the early 70s.

“Guzar jaaye din” features highly complex chord transitions, and Kishore Kumar reportedly needed many takes before completing it — a rare instance given Kishore’s usual ease in the studio.

“Nain hamaare, saanjh sakaare” is celebrated for its exquisite counterpoint — a hallmark of Salil’s deep understanding of Western harmony.

The track “Champavati aa jaa” is notable for its unusual harmonic choices and intricate folk-classical fusion.

The official HMV release finally included the Title Music and several beautiful pieces of Salil’s background score, long sought by collectors.