G.S. Kohli is best known for songs like “Tumko Piya Dil Diya,” “Mangi Hai Duayen Humne Sanam,” “Agar Main Poochhoon Jawab Doge,” “Apne Aanchal Ki Zara Mujhko Hawa,” “Mana Mere Haseen Sanam,” and “Pyar Ke Daman Se Lipate,” among others. Despite his talent, Kohli remained criminally underrated and underutilised and died frustrated with the industry.
Early Life and Career
Gurusharan Singh Kohli, known as G.S. Kohli, was born in 1928 in Punjab. His family belonged to a Punjabi Sikh background. Limited information exists about his family and early life. He developed an early interest in music, particularly the dholak.
Kohli’s musical journey began with mastery of the dholak. In the early 1950s, he moved to Bombay to pursue a career in film music. He joined composer O.P. Nayyar as an assistant in 1952, starting with Aasmaan. Kohli contributed to Nayyar’s films like Aar Paar (1954), Mr. & Mrs. ’55 (1955), and C.I.D. (1956). While working with Nayyar, he closely collaborated with famous arranger Sebastian D’Souza. He was later involved in arranging music and managing rhythm sections for films like Naya Daur, Tumsa Nahin Dekha, Howrah Bridge, Ek Musafir Ek Haseena, Kashmir Ki Kali, Baharein Phir Bhi Ayengi, Kismat and many more.
G.S. Kohli The Independent Music Director
In 1960, Kohli debuted as an independent music director with Krishan Malik’s low-budget Lambe Haath starring Mehmood and Naaz. The films had the famous Rafi number “Pyar Ki Raah Dikha Duniya Ko.” The film also has Rafi-Asha’s playful duets “O Diwane Chhokre Raah Meri Na Rok Re” and “Mohabbat Karke Kya Loge.”
Despite giving impressive songs in Lambe Hath, his next film came two years later. It was G.P. Sippy’s Mr. India (1962), starring Geeta Bali, I.S. Johar, Helen, and Kamal Jeet. The film had a few famous songs like “Mat Poochh Mera Hai Kaun Watan,” “Dekha Na Jaaye Socha Na Jaaye,” and “Nazar Yeh Teri Teekhi.” In 1963 he gave music to Mohammed Hussain’s action adventure film Faulad, starring Dara Singh and Mumtaz.
Breakthrough
His breakthrough came with the 1963 film “Shikari,” directed by Mohammed Hussain and starring Ajit and Ragini. The film’s highlight was the playful chartbuster Tumko Piya Dil Diya, sung by Lata and Usha Mangeshkar. The film also had Mohammed Rafi and Lata’s “Chaman Ke Phool Bhi Tujhko” and “Agar Main Poonchhoon Jawab Doge.” It also has “Yeh Rangeen Mehfil Gulabi Gulabi,” sung by Asha Bhosle.
One of his most notable films was Namaste Ji (1965), starring Mehmood, Ameeta, I. S. Johar, Ajit, Nalini Chonkar and Helen. The film had songs like Aasman Gulabi Hui Sham Sharabi (Asha Bhosle), Apne Aanchal Ki Zara Mujhko Hawa Dete Chalo (Rafi), Hamein Kya Jo Harsu Ujaale Hue Hain (Rafi), Koi Zalim Bahaaron Ke Beech Raha (Asha), Mere Do Naina Matware (Lata), and Sun Sun Sun O Roothne Wale (Mohammed Rafi, S. Balbir).
Kohli’s craft focused on melody and rhythm, blending Punjabi folk with Hindi film music. In his initial films he shows a clear influence of OP Nayyar’s style. His arrangements emphasised percussive elements, reflecting his dholak expertise. He tailored compositions to suit low-budget films’ action and drama. Kohli showed versatility in romantic, sad, and dance numbers.
Other Work
Kohli then gave music to films like Char Dervesh (1964), The Adventures Of Robinhood (1965), Do Matwale (1966), Naujavan (1966), Sangdil (1967), Jung Aur Aman (1969), Gunda (1969), and Jaal Saaz (1969).
Kohli’s songs gained popularity in specific circles, particularly in B-grade films. Some of his notable tracks include “Jaan-E-Jaana Yun Na Dekho (Faulad),” “Jawan Jawan Husn Ke Rangeen Ye Kaafile,” “Maana Mere Hasin Sanam Tu Rashq-E-Mehtab Hai,” “Naa Jaane Kya Boli Bole” (The Adventures Of Robinhood), “Pyar Ke Daman Se Lipte Hum Kahan Tak Aa Gaye,” “Le Liya Dil Mera Le Liya” (Char Darwesh), “”Ab Yeh Andhere Saathi Hain Mere (Do Matwale),” “Are Chal Are Hat Kaahe Chhede Natkhat (Naujavan),” “Din Bure Hote Hain (Sangdil),” “Tauba Re Yeh Shararat (Jung aur Aman),” “Nazar Ne Uthte Hi Kuchh Is Ada Se Kaam Kiya (Gunda),” and “Tujhe Kiya O Kitna Mana,” “Kal Maine Ek Sapna Dekha “(Jaalsaaz),” among others.After a hiatus of 15 years, he made a comeback with S.M. Abbas’s Mahadaan (1984) starring Kanwar Avtaar and Priya Tendulkar. The film has underrated gems like “Udta Hua Ek Panchi,” “Jata Jogi De Gaya Khushiyon Ki Mala,” and “Mere Dil Chal Chalen,” sung by Asha Bhosle. In 1984, “Paigham” was released, with one of the best Rafi numbers, “Mushkilen Aasan Karde.” It also has the Qawwali “Ali Ali,” beautifully sung by Rafi and Manna Dey.
GS Kohli mostly worked with Mohammad Rafi and Asha Bhosle. Although he also worked occasionally with Lata Mangeshkar, Usha Mangeshkar, Mukesh, Anuradha Pauwdal and others. Kohli’s primary lyricist, Anjaan, penned most of his songs. He also worked with Faruk Kaiser and Naqsh Lyallpur.
In his later years, Kohli lived in Bombay, focusing on music until his health declined. He died on July 25, 1996, at age 68, leaving a legacy of underrated melodies.
G.S. Kohli on IMDB
