Cinemaazi remembers G S Kohli on his death anniversary

G.S. Kohli was one of those composers who in spite of having tremendous talent remained unnoticed and largely forgotten by the audiences. An expert tabla and dholak played Kohli worked as an assistant for music composer O P Nayyar for the largest part of his career. By 1960, he had contributed immensely to many of Nayyar’s hit films like CID, Mr and Mrs 55, Hum Sab Chor Hain, Naya Daur, Mujrim and Kashmir ki Kali to name a few. He started his career as an independent composer with the film Lambe Haath (1960). The song Pyaar ki raah dikha duniya ko sung by Mohd Rafi, became the biggest hit of the film. Some of his other famous songs include Kahan chali cham se from the film Miss India (1961), O matware saajna, O anjaane yun na dekho and Yaad teri aayi to mai cham cham royi from Faulad (1963). The influence of O P Nayyar’s style of music was quite evident in his independent compositions as he also frequently took Mohd Rafi and Asha Bhosle to sing his songs; both of who were known to be Nayyar’s favorite. Kohli got the biggest success of his filmography in the form of Shikari (1963), of which almost every song was a hit. The Lata and Usha Mangeshkar duet Tumko piya dil diya kitne naaz se is still remembered as a wonderful composition of changing rhythms and melodious tunes. Though, Kohli could not really shine as an independent composer and was stuck to doing stunt films like Naujawan (1966), Do Matwale (1966), Jang aur Aman (1968), Gunda (1969) and Jaalsaaz (1969). Kohli continued assisting Nayyar till the end of his career in 1969. He passed away on 25 July, 1996. Cinemaazi remembers the veteran composer on his death anniversary.