From Librarian to Filmfare Winner: The Journey of Lyricist Santosh Anand

by

Himanshu Tiwari

From Librarian to Filmfare Winner: The Journey of Lyricist Santosh Anand

Mumbai, March 4: In the realm of Hindi cinema, the name Santosh Anand is synonymous with heart-touching melodies. Renowned for songs like “Jindagi Ki Na Tootay Ladi” and “Main Na Bhoolunga,” he has made a mark in every household. However, few know that before entering the film industry, he worked as a librarian in a school. Amidst the books, he transformed into a celebrated lyricist in Hindi cinema.

Santosh Anand was born on March 5, 1940, in Sikandarabad, Bulandshahr district, Uttar Pradesh. His birth name was Santosh Kumar Mishra, and he hails from a modest middle-class family. From a young age, he had a passion for reading and writing. During his school days, he began penning poetry. After completing his education, he pursued Library Science at Aligarh Muslim University and subsequently took up a librarian position at a school near Minto Bridge in Delhi.

Books deepened his thoughts. He often remarked that education and literature shaped him into a better person and writer. Even while working as a librarian, his heart remained in poetry, leading him to participate in poetry competitions. Gradually, he gained recognition as a stage poet.

His life took a significant turn when actor and director Manoj Kumar heard him recite poetry. Impressed, Manoj Kumar offered him the opportunity to write songs for the film “Purab Aur Paschim.” This marked the beginning of his cinematic journey, and he never looked back.

In 1972, he penned the iconic song “Ek Pyaar Ka Nagma Hai” for the film “Shor,” followed by “Main Na Bhoolunga” from the 1974 film “Roti, Kapda Aur Makaan.” This song earned him his first Filmfare Award.

He also wrote the songs for the 1981 blockbuster “Kranti,” which became the highest-grossing film of that year. In 1982, he won his second Filmfare Award for the song “Mohabbat Hai Kya Cheez” from the film “Prem Rog.” In 2016, he was honored with the Yash Bharti Award.

Throughout his career, Santosh Anand wrote over 100 songs for 26 films. His unique ability to weave themes of love, pain, and the realities of life into his lyrics set him apart.

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