Lyricist of the Week: Anand Bakshi

As the Month of Poetry continues, BollyCurry features another accomplished legendary lyricist; a genius well known for his decades of outstanding work, the late Anand Bakshi.

Published: Wednesday,Apr 09, 2014 22:54 PM GMT-06:00

Jenifer Y.

The numerous success doors Bollywood has opened for individuals seeking a career in the liberal arts is a story well known. Not only has the Indian film industry produced the very best of talent in the acting and singing fields, it also boasts itself of possessing some of the best writers of all times. Therefore, as the Month of Poetry continues, BollyCurry features another accomplished legendary lyricist; a genius well known for his decades of outstanding work, the late Anand Bakshi.

Born on the 21^st July, 1930 in Rawalpindi, Pakistan (post partition), Bakshi always harbored a dream of pursuing a career within writing and singing. Following his desires, at the age of twenty six, he received his first break in Brij Mohan's Bhala Aadmi where he wrote four songs for the project, the first being "Dharti Ke Laal Na Kar Itna Malaal". However, his first taste of success arrived later with the title track of Mehendi Lagi Mere Haath, giving him immense and much due praise. Thus marked the beginning of a spectacular career having written approximately 3500 songs in almost over 638 Bollywood movies.

Bakshi is popularly known for penning the music of Bollywood classics namely Jab Jab Phool Khile, Seeta Aur Geeta, Bobby, Milan, Himalaya Ki God Mein, Sholay and Dharam Veer. His most recent works include the music of Mohabbatein, Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge, Taal and Yaadein. Not only was Bakshi an awe-inspiring writer, he also lent his powerful vocals, singing alongside legendary singers of our nation such as Lata Mangeshkar, Manna Dey, Kishore Kumar and Bhupinder Singh Ji.

With a talent like his, it goes without saying that Bakshi has several well earned awards to his name including Filmfare, Zee Cine and IIFA, all for Best Lyricist in his seventy one years of existence. The virtuoso took his last breath on the 30^th March, 2002 due to a severe bacterial infection and multiple organ failures following a minor heart surgery. His passing is a big loss for the entire cine world, leaving a space that will be vacant forever.

Truly a remarkable being, the team of BollyCurry nostalgically remembers Anand Bakshi with fondness as we acknowledge the Diggaj and Mahaguru of all lyricists. He will be missed and will always be in our memories for his eternal gift to the world of music.

To end this tribute, below are a few beautiful lines from the movie Kala Samunder (1962) penned by the master himself, which captures the serenity and imagination he continuously presented to the world:

"Meri tasavir bhi mujhasi kahan hai
Ke ye bejaan hai ye bezubaan hai
Tumhare kaam ye na aa sakegi
Tumhara dil na ye bahala sakegi
Junun me to girahaban chaak hoga
Ke parwana to jal ke kaak hoga"

Author: Mohini N.

Editors: Shikha A. and Jenifer Y.

Graphics: Shikha A.

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