REMEMBERING ANAND BAKSHI

Today is the death  anniversary of Anand Bakshi , the most popular and prolific lyricist who penned memorable melodies for over 600 films.He was born at Rawalpindi on 21^st  July, 1930 . After partition the family  migrated and settled at Delhi .After receiving  initial education he joined  the Indian Army and served  there for many years. Simultaneously  he wrote  poems in spare time.He wanted to become an actor and a singer  but  destiny  made him a lyricist. He started writing lyrics for films in 1956 but  success smiled on him in 1962 when he wrote lyrics for the film   ‘Mehandi Lagi Mere Hath’. He also wrote a Qawwali for the film ‘Kala Samundar’ – Kya Karoge Tum Meeri  Tasveer   Le Kar.However,   the breakthrough  came  in 1965  with the film   ‘Himalaya Ki God Mein’. The same year he  wrote songs for the film   ‘Jab Jab Phool Khile’ and in 1967 the songs he wrote for the film  ‘Milan’  established him as a lyricist and his caliber came to be recognized.As a singer , he sang his first two songs for the film ‘Mom Ki Gudiya’ – Baghon mein bahar aayi….. , and  Main doondh  raha tha sapnon mein .Later he sang songs for the film Charas, Sholay , Mahachor and Balika Vadhu.

In all he  wrote more than 3000 songs for more than 600 films  out of which  the music of half the films was composed by the duo Lakshmi Kant Pyare Lal. The popular films for which  he wrote  songs include Phool Banre Angaare, Himalaya Ki God Mein, Jab Jab Phool Khile , Aradhana, Bobby, Amar Prem,Jeene Ki Raah, Mera Gaon Mera Desh, , Aye Din Bahar Ke, Aya Sawan Jhoom ke,Do raaste, Main Tulsi  Tere Aangan ki,   Sholay,Dharamvir,Nagina,Sargam,Karz,  Mohra, Dil Wale Dulhania Le Jayenge , Pardes, heer Ranjha, Taal , Mohabbaten, Yaaden , Raja Aur Rank, kati Patang, Khilona, Loafer, Piya Ka Ghar, Raja Rani , Jeevan Mrityu, saudagar , lamhe, Sacha Jhootha …and many many others.

The song ‘Watan par jo fida hoga  , amar wo naujawan hoga ‘ penned by him for the film ‘Phool Bane Angaare’ became very popular . He had put his soul into it himself being an  army man  before.

He made special mention of this song  when he presented a radio  program ‘Jaimala’  dedicated to soldiers , decades ago.

 A versatile genius, he wrote all kinds of songs- devotional, patriotic and romantic and contributed immensely to the popularity and stature of actors and singers who sang on screen and gave playback. The list of the hits penned by him is pretty long.

Our humble tributes to the great lyricist !