Lyrics beyond compare

Anand Bakshi was an ex-naval officer known for giving lyrics to songs like Dum Maro Dum, and other classical hits.

Anand Bakshi. Illustrated by Dishani Goswami: Visual Storyteller at ThisDay

Anand Bakshi is perhaps one of the most recognizable lyricists of his time. Born in 1930, in what is today Rawalpindi, Pakistan, he moved to Delhi in the wake of the Partition of the country. Bakshi was an avid poetry writer, but mostly as a private hobby. He even joined the Indian Navy for a job, and would write poetry in his off-time. He came to get a wider view of the opportunities lying with him in the film and other industries via the Navy as well.

He would then try to market his songs in Mumbai, but would instead find success in making lyrics for songs - he would write songs in Bhala Aadmi, a film by Brij Mohan. And his primary success came from writing in 1962, Mehendi Lagi mere Haath, in which he gave lyrics to the music of Kalyanji and Anandji. He would also write for films like Kala Samundar, and Himalay ki God Mein, Jab Jab Phool Khile  - all these films would become instant successes for their songs, and his name would be celebrated.

Rajesh Khanna films would feature his songs - at that time, the gold standard of actor one could get their songs acted by. He would cement his position within a decade - and would write hundreds of songs for numerous films.

He would also retry his hands at singing, and would sing with Lata Mangeshkar, hits like Baaghon mein bahaar aayi. In the classic Sholay, he sang, Chand sa Kpo Chehera with Manna Dey and Kishore Kumar, and other films as well.

He would be associated with the entire two generations of music composers - from RD Burman, SD Burman, Kalyanji Anandji, Anu Malik etc - forming both the traditional and the new wave of Bollywood music. His lyrics to songs like Dum Maro Dum reflect a perfect blend of such themes. He passed away on the 30th of March 2002.

He would also retry his hands at singing, and would sing with Lata Mangeshkar, hits like Baaghon mein bahaar aayi. In the classic Sholay, he sang, Chand sa Kpo Chehera with Manna Dey and Kishore Kumar, and other films as well.

He would be associated with the entire two generations of music composers - from RD Burman, SD Burman, Kalyanji Anandji, Anu Malik etc - forming both the traditional and the new wave of Bollywood music. His lyrics to songs like Dum Maro Dum reflect a perfect blend of such themes. He passed away on the 30th of March 2002.

Bakshi and Burman; Source: Public Domain