Anand Bakshi Birth Anniversary: Lata Mangeskar Recalls 'Unke Shabd Logon Ke Dil Aur Dimaag Pe Chhaa Jate The' -EXCLUSIVE
As 21st July marks the 91st birth anniversary of Anand Bakshi, the most noted lyricist of the yesteryear's, the nightingale of India, Lata Mangeshkar recalls fond memories.
He was the longest-lasting lyricist of the film industry. From Sher-e-Baghdad in 1957 to Kuch Dil Ne Kaha in 2002, Anand Bakshi wrote a majority of the most popular Hindi films songs during his 4-decade career. The Nightingale Lata Mangeshkar who sang a sizeable chunk of Bakshi Saab’s poetry says there was no other lyricist as popular as Bakshi Bakshi.
“Unke shabd logon ke dil aur dimaag pe chhaa jateen the. Whether it was Sheesha ho ya dil ho aakhir toot jata hai (Asha) or Jaane kyon log Mohabbat kiya karte hain (Mehboob Ki Mehndi) the connection with the listener was immediate and ever-lasting. Among the most popular lyricist of my time, I sang the maximum songs of Anand Bakshiji. I think the first lyrics of his that I sang were in the film Mehndi Lagi Mere Haath. Kalyanji-Anandji were the composers. Gaane chale bahot chalen. And there was no looking back.”
Lataji remembers innumerable music recordings with Anand Bakshi. “He was always there for the recordings. And he would make invaluable suggestions. He was not just a poet, he also composed songs. And he sang very well. In fact, I think he came to Mumbai to become a professional singer. Bakshi Saab and I sang a duet Baghon mein bahaar ayee in a film called Mome Ki Gudiya. He was a complete music person. We shared a wonderful rapport. When we met he never greeted me with a Namaste. He would greet me with, ‘Wah Ji wah’. When I was honoured with the Padma Vibhushan in 2001 Bakshi Saab wrote a poem for me. It was a lovely gesture, and one that I haven’t forgotten.”
Adds Lataji, “He wrote some of my most memorable songs. I especially like Bindiya chamkegi (Do Raaste), Solah baras ki baali umar (Ek Duuje Ke Liye), Aaj dil pe koi zor chalta nahin (Milan), Sawan ka marina (Milan), Kora kagaz tha yeh mann mera (Aradhana), Raina beeti jaye (Amar Prem), Oh mere bairaagi bhawra (Ishq Par Zor Nahin), Jaane kyon log mohabbat kiya karte gain (Mehboob Ki Mehndi), Kitne din aankhen tarsegi (Naya Zamana), Kya yeh zindagi hai (Yeh Gulistan Hamara), and so many others. Why only me? Bakshi Saab wrote beautiful songs for other singers like Kishore Kumar’s Chingari koi bhadke (Amar Prem) and Yeh Jeevan hai (Piya Ka Ghar)"
Image source: Youtube/RakeshAanandBakshi
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