Celebrating The Phenomenon Called Anand Bakshi

By Deepa | July 21, 2016

Hindi Cinema is a baffling expanse of artwork and creativity. The expanse is unfathomable. Many artists are made, many are erased with no traces. Some rise up above all this. They become an industry by themselves. They become a phenomenon. Anand Bakshi is one such artist. He is an industry in himself. He is a phenomenon. With thousands of songs to his credit, he simply stands tall in his work. The phenomenon which began at a sluggish pace in 1957-58, with the first recorded song for Bhagwan dada’s Bhala Aadmi (1958) grew rapidly in over a few years and the man became an institution in himself. The popularity of his songs is such that if we are to play antakshari of Hindi songs, 5 out of 10 songs will be his, knowingly or unknowingly. From Na na karte pyar tumhi se kar baithe (Jab Jab Phool Khile) to Tujhe dekha toh ye janaa sanam (Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jaayenge). A simple man with lyrics as simple as him. You don’t need to sit with a dictionary to know his songs. But they reflected deep meaning. There was no hidden language or restrained words. Simple open songs which appealed to the people in their day to day life. It will be too laborious to measure the length and breadth of his works, since it is spread not in years but decades, to generations. Generations of actors, music directors as well. To appreciate his works, let us consider his association with father-son duo of music directors. It shows his ability to adapt to changes with time and ability to connect with common man.

Anil Biswas/Amar-Utpal (Anil Biswas’ son)

Anand Bakshi worked with Anil Biswas at the beginning of his career in Lucky Number (1960) The song is picturised on Bhagwan dada and Tun Tun. A comedy genre foursome song. Playback singers look like Manna Dey, Uma Devi, Mubarak Begum and Balbir.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YTdi_zUpRw8

Utpal Biswas who is a part of the duo Amar-Utpal, is Anil Biswas’ son. Anand Bakshi wrote lyrics for the duo in the 80s.
Shahenshah (1988) rendered by Kishore Kumar, the song picturised on Amitabh Bachchan was a rage.

Chitragupt – Anand Milind

Anand Bakshi did 2 films with Chitragupt. Aadhi Raat ke Baad and Angaarey. He was a co-lyricist for Aadhi Raat Ke Baad (1965) another lyricist being Prem Dhawan.

Jhooth Bole Kauwa Kaate (1998), the last film by Hrishikesh Mukherjee. It had lyrics by Anand Bakshi and music by Anand-Milind, sons of the music director Chitragupt.

Roshan/Rajesh Roshan

Anand Bakshi and Roshan gave fabulous songs for a few films including the most celebrated Devar (1966)

Roshan’s legacy continued with his son Rajesh Roshan pairing with Anand Bakshi for several films including the path breaker Julie (1975). Rajesh Roshan received Filmfare award for this film.

Kalyanji-Anandji/ Viju Shah

Who can forget the mesmerising songs of Jab Jab Phool Khile (1965). The film which gave Anand Bakshi the first taste of stardom. The entire soundtrack of this film was a hit. The quintessential Nanda song, one of the best romantic numbers, is sure to haunt you whenever you listen.

Mohra (1994) was the most successful film of that year with Tu cheez badi hai mast mast topping the charts. Anand Bakshi kept his lyrics in sync with the time and it became craze. Music was by Viju Shah who is Kalyanji’s son.

S.D.Burman/ R.D.Burman

Beginning with Aradhana in 1969, Anand Bakshi & S.D. Burman did 13 films together. The pair has given very special films with special songs including films like Jyoti, Chupke Chupke, Anurag, Jugnu, Naya Zamana to name a few. This Manna Dey – Lata Mangeshkar honey sweet romantic song from Jyoti remains favourite with the listeners.

Authentic classics like Kati Patang, Amar Prem, Mehbooba, Aap ki Qasam, Hare Rama Hare Krishna add to the long list of films which Anand Bakshi did with R.D.Burman. Reaching the zenith with Amar Prem and continuing the golden songs with films like Namak Haram. Another eternal friendship song along with Ye dosti from Sholay is credited to this razzmatazz duo.