Brothers Kalyanji and Anandji (K-A) started in the music business assisting singer-composer Hemant Kumar in the early 1950s. Kalyanji's early claim to fame was for playing the famous 'been' (snake - charmer's instrument) for the Man Dole Mera Tan Dole chart topper from Hemant's Nagin (1954). Kalyanji turned solo in the late 50s, initially assisted by Anandji, before they officially became a duo. Chalia in 1961 was their first major hit, but it wasn't until 1965 and the release of Himalay Ki Goud Mein and Jab Jab Phool Khile that K-A became a major force.

Then followed Upkar (1967) and Saraswatichandra (1968), with the latter becoming the first Hindi soundtrack to win the National Award. Throughout the 1970s, Kalyanji-Anandji pretty much kept pace with Laxmikant-Pyarelal and R.D. Burman. They were rewarded with the Filmfare Award for Kora Kagaz in 1974. The funky beats of many of their "Brownsploitation" soundtracks are appreciated by DJs in around the world. Kalyanji-Anandji continued into the next decade as premier composers before they began to fade during the mid- 80s.