Anand Bakshi (b. 1920)

Prolific Hindi lyricist; wrote more than 2500 songs, averaging c.100 songs for c.20 films annually. Born in Rawalpindi (now Pakistan). Son of a bank manager; joined the army aged 18 as a field-telephone operator. Family migrated to India where he started as a scenarist for e.g. Master Bhagwan’s Badla (1943). Unable to obtain sufficient film assignments, rejoined the army until 1958. Debut as lyric writer in Bhagwan’s Bhala Admi (1958). Broke through with Suraj Prakash’s films, esp. with the songs Kankaria more karke ishare in Mehndi Lagi Mere Haath (1962), Pardesiyon se na akhiyan milana in Jab Jab Phool Khile (1965) and Sawan ka mahina in Adurthi Subba Rao’s Milan (1967). Confirmed his reputation for romantic songs with the Rajesh Khanna hit Aradhana (1969), writing most of Khanna’s maudlin lyrics for several years thereafter, including Amar Prem (1971), which he considers to be his best work, esp. the song Chingari koi bhadke.

One of the few songwriters of his generation to have no credentials as an independent poet. Sang two songs for Mom Ki Gudiya (1972). Consistently denies having any artistic pretensions. Recently wrote the Bachchan hit Jumma chumma in Hum (1991). Worked mainly with music directors Laxmikant-Pyarelal.